Our grandfather passed away yesterday, June 11th. After being bedridden for 12 years, he finally left the world. I suppose he was between life and death for a while. I kept telling myself, "I wish I knew him better". I felt so dead. Kept having to remind myself that he was really gone throughout the day. I tried to remember times I spent with him as a child.. but the memories were so vauge.. it was so long ago. I only have one, and that's when I was sitting next to him on a couch, playing with him. I remembered his innocent laughter. His smile. That's it. But I like to tell myself that the only memory that I have of him was a positive one. When I was still in kindergarten, my parents received devastating news.. he had severe trauma to the left side of his brain which lead to swelling and irreversible damage. That's when I learned the word 'concussion'. Half of his brain and the right side of his body could not function properly. He would be Bedridden until ..well, yesterday. I didn't know that the last time I'd ever see him was when they rolled him into the ICU due to respiratory failure. I had some fatasy that he'd come back out. I thought he'd make it like last time. But that wasn't the case. It was around 11:30. Before I knew what happened, I was looking in the mirror in my room and I swear I thought to myself, 'what if he is dying right now?' When I came out, my sister was there. Her eyes teared up. I guess I might have been right. I received the news that he passed away that morning, and it was like my brain was too slow to comprehend it. I just frowned and turned away. Dead? Really dead? I repeated that question in my head. Something strange happens when they tell you someone you've seen so recently leaves.. I didn't feel that he was gone, and I guess I didn't really believe it. Until I visited my grandparent’s house. They removed his bed and replaced it with a breakfast table in the kitchen. It was strange looking at the same corner he was always in and not seeing him there. I couldn't help but keep glancing at it. He was gone. Just like that. Here yesterday, gone the next. It'll happen to all of us. I just wanted to ask you guys to pray for him. It doesn't matter what religion you are. Still pray for him. If you dont believe in a higher power, please still wish him well. Throughout his years, he was always giving to others, even when he didn't have enough for himself. Even when he was getting sick. He was never rich, and could never afford fancy things, but he would pay other people's debts out of love for them. He didn't have it all, but he loved his family more than anything else. Please treat your family well. Love them and be with them while you still can. Before it's too late. Ask them as many questions as possible- ask them to teach you about their life so you can learn from them. Also, please take advantage of your time before it runs out. You can't start again after that. Please spread the love and the message. Wish you all well, Salaam (peace).
