While on our our way home from shooting clay pigeons my dad got a call. “Who is it from” I asked.
“Your grandpa” he responded.
I sat there shocked like a deer in headlights, trapped within a world of confusion and disaster. Hearing that my grandpa who was sick and weak from cancer wanted to see me.
My dad and I turned the car around and headed straight to his house. After entering the door I saw my grandma broken down in tears, and my grandpa lying there on his deathbed. He seemed to be so calm even though he knew he was dying. He called me over to his side, his voice was weak and raspy.
As I got closer I had seen the effect of what was happening to him. With my final steps I saw the effects clearly now. I stood in shock my heart racing beating with the speed of a jack hammer. He spoke once more to say. . .
“You know and I know that this may be the last time we talk so I am going to tell and say everything I need to”
I thought to myself “i know but i just can't accept that”I felt as if i had been robbed by a stealthy criminal - robbed of my grandfather, and robbed of my memories and time with him.
He spoke for what felt like a slow eternity, however it had only been about two minutes.
My dad had stood in silence quietly weeping just as i was.
“Love and protect your family most importantly your sister” he said in a solemn and loving way.
The only words I could udder back were “I love you.”
My grandma had come to me and hugged me with all the strength she had left, and at that moment I saw a smile form on my grandfather’s face.
He then proceeded to tell me about his childhood and how he met my grandma. At that point I did want him to stop talking i didn't want to leave. I didn't want to forget his voice, I didn't want to forget about all the fun times we had, I didn't want to think of life without him. There was not one good outcome of this that I could think of.
“I know you're not ready for this for this big of a thing in your life but i love you and don't ever forget that” he said.
“I love you to grandpa and so does my mom, my dad, zoe, aunt Tammy, and  cousins Drew, Emma,Elli,” I said trying not to choke on every word I spoke. I thought “no i'm not ready not ready for this or the future it holds”
My grandpa had never been a person to overreact or really to show what he felt but right now I could see it in his face. He started to cry, he even used the strength he had left to sit up and give me the longest hug he has ever given me.
I whispered into his ear “I’ll never forget you and you already know that” as he sat back down he gave me two golden rings that glisten in the light like the moonlight reflecting off the water . I held them tight within my grasp. I was never going to let these go not ever. Once again i stood in shock for I was happy to be given these rings. Talking to my grandfather for the last time in three years showed me that should you love your family because you never know when they will leave.