My grandfather is slipping away, a little more each day. I setup some chairs in the garage today, and invited him to sit outside with me. I put on big band music and sat with him for some time. He asked me if I knew his son Don, that he was in a band. I explained he was my father, and that I am his grandson.
He laughed, and said "Really?", a big smile on his face.
Grandpa said "Wait here a moment, I want to show you something."
He slowly got up from the chair and made his way into the house, returning shortly after with a small framed picture in his hand.
"Have I ever shown you this picture before?"
He held the picture up to me, it was a photo of him and my grandmother at the beach in Coney Island, New York. Taken some time in the 30's. The two of them in bathing suits, playing in the surf.
"Yes, I've seen that picture, dont you remember? I was the one who took the picture from your wallet and enlarged it for that picture frame?"
"You Did, " he said in disbelief.
Where do the memories go? I realize now that our pasts mean so little, that in the end, it is all just time gone by. It makes me realize how important today, and only in this moment, is anything really of the utmost importance.
Grandmother arrived on the driveway and we were soon dispatched as she made lunch for my grandfather, and after disappeared into their room for an afternoon nap. So greatful am I for the short time I am able to spend with the both of them, as I suspect upon my next visit, nothing will ever be the same.
Florida is my home, I've come to realize, its time to move back home. I don't know how I'll get here yet, but I know it will be soon. There are things in my life in Texas that have come drastically unraveled. It is only through faith that I am able to carry myself through each day. I moved to Texas in order to be closer to my children, but I realize now that a six hour drive from them is just as far as a four hour trip on a jet. I've only seen them two times since moving to Texas, both for a very brief time. It's time to go home and start living my life again, and stop chasing the dreams of my past.
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