Today marks the one-year since my grandfather went to be with the Lord. I remember that night in the ER so vividly. I told myself that that everything was going to be okay, but I knew deep down that it wasn’t going to be. The moment when my dad asked me to go see him, I knew something was seriously wrong. I was so scared to walk down that hall to his room. It hurt me to see him, just lying there in that hospital bed in intense pain. I couldn’t do or say anything to make him feel better. Here was a man that was so strong throughout his life and always treated me with the upmost respect and his grandfather special treatment (spoiling me rotten). The next morning when I heard the news, I was just in utter shock… I had never lost anyone close to me. As my three-year-old cousin looked up at me at that same time, I couldn’t help but fake a smile to show her that I wasn’t hurting on the inside. This pain was more than I had ever experienced in my adulthood. Now that Grandpa Jerry is gone, I want to honor him and his legacy. He may not have been a superstar or a millionaire, but he was my grandfather, my father’s father, and my grandmother’s husband. And that is enough for me! He loved his family and most of all he was a strong Christian follower. He always knew how to have fun…card games, shuffleboard, beach walks, and even our Christmas holidays. I always think about the annoying, repetitive question that he would ask me, how many boyfriends do you have? Why don’t you have someone, you are so pretty and smart? I would always feel so great to hear him say that. He had such great confidence in me and always wanted the best for me. I knew he asked those questions because he wanted to make sure that I was taken care of and treated the way a lady should be treated. I have never been the type to be all boy crazy or even dated even my grandfather knew that, but that didn’t stop him from asking the questions. Now as a twenty year old, people are shocked that I have never been in a relationship. However, despite the constant battle of wanting a relationship, I have realized recently that it is necessary to have patience and trust in God’s plan for everything, including this issue. God has always showed me his plan through it all, even if it wasn’t what I wanted at that time. I think of our society and the pressure for intimate relationships. There is a society demand for everything to be done early, graduate early, get a job earlier, get money earlier, get married earlier, have a true-American dream earlier….but in reality, we just need to slow down. More specifically, I need to slow down. What’s the rush? I am so young and have so many opportunities. I want to travel, to work, to learn, and to live, yet, in God’s timing. It is so hard, but in the end, I know it is better than I could ever expect. How cool is God and His plan? If I could tell my grandfather one thing, I would say thanks! Thanks for being a good role model for me, thanks for loving my family, and thanks for always having my back and supporting me in everything! I miss you, but I am doing all right. One day, I want to look back, and say that grandpa was right; I finally got one that treats me right! What a special day that will be! For now, I honor my grandfather and pray for my family as they remember his legacy. RIP Grandpa!
