Just a little back ground, this is about my grandmother who is dying of cancer. She lives kinda far away, so I don't see her very often. And this is about my last time with her. Enjoy. Crit welcome.
I sat on Aunt Jessie’s lap in the family room, listening to everyone speak. Not long after everyone settled, John, my older brother, came into the room and motioned me to my feet.
“Grammie wants you.” He said.
I nodded and headed to the back bedroom to where she lay. As I approached, my reflection of my appeared against the mirrors the at end of the room. I smiled, the reflection smiled back. I gulped and continued down the hall.
Her eyes were closed when I came in, but when I said her name her eyes popped open. Her hand patted the bed, just a couple inches away from herself. She indicated that, right there was where she wanted me to sit. By then my smile had probably vanished, catching myself I spread a new smile on my face and obediently sat by her side.
She told me that she had prayed a blessing over my father and brother, and that she wanted to pray a blessing over me, too. I felt chocked up inside. It is hard for her to speak, but she wanted to pray and talk to me; I felt so many different feelings. I can remember most of the blessing, but not all of it. Some of her words are forever forgotten, that I soulfully regret.
She grasped my hand. Her hand was warm and very smooth. I liked the feeling of holding her hand. I held it tight.
At the gentle gesture of holding my hand, she began to pray. “Lord, I can remember the day that *Missy Leigh was born. I remember that I got a phone call, picking it up and hearing that they had a little boy, and now a little girl.” She stopped and breathed. Her voice was soft and slick, almost like her hand. “I was so excited, and happy. I was jumping up and down and praising God.” After every sentence her voice faltered and she breathed in. She continued to pray though. “Lord I pray that you will bless this girl here. And all the generations to come. I pray that she will find a nice young man and that he will be godly in every way. And that Aubrey will continue loving you, God. And that her praise will never end. No matter what happens, let her always be your child.” She stopped and took another breath.
By the end of her prayer, I told her that I loved her and was very happy that she blessed me. And that I would remember it forever.
“I am praying for you.” I told her.
“God answers the prayers of little children.” She said with tears in her eyes.
I rubbed her arm, and then her tears flowed freely.
“I am a big cry baby.” She said laughing a little. She wiped her eyes with her hanky.
“That’s okay.” I said with a sympathetic smile.
“I guess you can go. You can tell everyone we are done in here.”
“Okay, I love you Grammie.” I said hugging her one last time. I got up and went to the door, told her I loved her and was praying for her one last time.
Once outside the room, I realized that that was going to be the last time I was ever gong to see Grammie. I wiped my eyes and prayed all the way back to the living room, where I was before my blessing was given to me. I curled back onto Aunt Jessie’s lap and hugged her. Grammie’s last words to me will be with me forever and ever. Even if she is gone, the memories of her will be with me until the day I die.
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* Not real name. A nick name
