Once again a holiday brought us all back home. Back to the small town we couldn't wait to leave. It was good to be with all my scattered friends, but I ended up spending some time with someone I had never met. Pancake brought his grandfather over to meet everyone for the first time..
He said that "his gramps wanted to meet all us crazy bastards." He'd heard enough stories and wanted to meet us all in the flesh.
Pancake's grandfather is sick (with the cancer...as they say in Smiths Falls). He has bowel cancer, and it has moved on to his liver. "Gramps" looked sick too. Pancake says that this is it; he's going to die soon. His grandfather was on a farewell tour of sorts.
We kept him entertained telling him old stories about Pancake. He laughed and laughed, but I could tell we were wearing him out. When we finally stopped, he had a few words for us. He said at this point he only had two wishes. One: he'd like to able to drink a whole beer (even a few sips made him ill). Two: he'd like to have just one whole day of feeling well.
We found out that he loved, and could tolerate a touch of Scotch and water. French jumped up and brought him a Balvanie on the rocks.
11 comments:
Cancer is so evil. It's a thief. I'm glad you were able to be a bright spot in this man's difficult days.
Haven't tried that one. I shall look out for it.
Hope he enjoyed it. The best to you both
I'm so with Gramps. I'd love to hang out with you crazies. You know Em relaunched IP, right?
Found here by chance 'clicking' and so pleased I did - an excellent diary.
It is good that gramps met you 'crazies' fulfilling a wish and I am certain he enjoyed it.
Anna :o]
i came by here to say i missed you. and then i nearly cried at this story. so yes. i miss your stories. the way you make Jesus a very real person for me. and i think you should link this up to imperfect prose tomorrow. bless you friend.
oh, that you made him laugh and laugh. beautiful, even in the pain.
smiles...i am glad you were able to bring some nice comfort to him in that moment man...and maybe even make a wish come true...
so glad you linked dear ollie.
Friends do what friends can. Even when we can't do more, maybe what we do is enough.
How wonderful that you made him laugh and laugh, a lovely kind of medicine.
How I enjoy your stories, even though I don't have any good words to comment with. :)
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