Golden Wings

When my mother went back to college when I was eight, both my grandparents stepped in to help out. Being raise by four parents is something I would highly suggest for anyone. My grandfather stepped into the role of father many times, and even helping me learn my dance routines. He'd even get me up early before school and take me to the local diner for hot chocolate while he had coffee and talk to the locals. My grandfather went to every birthday, every recital or concert, and every major event in my life including my college graduation. January of my senior year, right after christmas, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer. He'd fallen at work and demanded the doctors look harder because the tumor they hadn't discovered yet felt "like a broken rib" even though they persisted nothing was coming up on the x-rays. We'd hoped this was a miracle, that we'd caught the cancer in time, and as the chemotherapy failed to help he was due to start a rigorous treatment in May. He refused such treatment that would make him ill until after my graduation, and came to all the Alumni family picnics the school offered with me. After I graduated I spent my time with my grandmother, toting her to and from the hospital, doing all her little errands with her, and not once was I nervous visiting "Papa" as sick as he got, because he remained himself. You could hear nurses laughing down the hall as the rolled him back to the room, he followed doctors orders to a tee, and was able to answer all his medical questions no matter how they filled him with pain killers. The morning of Sunday, July 14th, my grandfather passed away. He'd slipped into a coma, and we all rushed by his side, sharing stories, and pronouncing our love for him, we aided him for the final time as he left this world. Papa was my role model, my hero, even until his last breath. He never once cried or got discouraged, he always remained hopeful, even as the doctors talked about him not having a treatment work effectively and the caution that comes with that. At his services, I read a eulogy I'd written in his honor, because although Papa had passed away, I knew he'd never be gone because he is such a huge part of me. I had another christmas with him, another father's day, and all the sumer months I could with him. He fought everyday for me to be able to have peace of mind, a gift I never got to thank him for, so for his Eulogy, I didn't cry, he wouldn't have wanted that, rather I remained strong to make him proud although I will miss him until we meet again. I imagine where he went he's being reunited with his grandfather and all the family he had before the generation s that came before me. I know in my heart Papa truly never wanted to get old, and that he'd regret leaving my grandmother behind, but when cancer took his cycling season, it took away his fun. I always loved riding on the back of his motorcycle, seeing what we could see, meeting whomever all summer long. My grandfather was a friendly free spirit who let his actions do his talking, even until his last days, which is what he would have wanted. He'll always be remembered as a sharp, funny, strong, young individual who was taken too soon by cancer, but I know in my heart he wanted his ending to be of quality and it absolutely was, despite all the obstacles thrown his way. I encourage my generation to spend quality time with and to respect their elders, because they've forgotten more in their lifetime then you've even learned yet. My grandfather lived life to the fullest, loved often, and was intolerant to injustices. Taking that with me as I move forward in life I'm learning to view as a great privilege at a heavy cost, and to know it's better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all has new meaning to me. Rather, I gained through love, and lost to a tough battle with cancer, but knowing he was happy and "all there" right to the last minute, is more then what he could have asked for. I hope that there is a silver lining to everyone's grey cloud, and I hope hearing mine, helps you cherish what you do have, even when finding things to be grateful for and the courage to move forward seems impossible.

Submitted by Anonymous


Courage
Pass It On®
Pass It On®

  email

Your Comments

Here are some other inspiring stories you might like.
BEING THERE
BK SAINI SAINI My husband helped me since he knew me since 1975. He is there for me every single day. He is so kind all the time. He took care of me during any need except not when he is at the job. He comes at home if any emergency arrives. For God’s grace he was never called till today. I still remember when our second baby...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
WISDOM
JAHSEH O There are many heros I look up to, but Jahseh Onfroy helped me through the darkest times in my life. His music did not only help me but it helped countless people. When he spoke to us, it was always about growing and becoming better than what we are. I have learned many valuable lessons from him, and I constantly...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
TISH R My former wife is an amazing individual. She works as a behavior analyst, and has been helping injured others achieve a much greater quality of life. In one of my proudest specific memories, she facilitated a transition for a man who was in an ALF, brain-injured, from wearing diapers in a wheelchair to...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
HELPING OTHERS
SAWYER A. After learning about children and families in the poverty-stricken villages of Zambia; a country in south-central Africa, Sawyer Anderson wanted to help bring clean, safe water to the villagers. At age 9, Sawyer wrote and illustrated the book, Water Works, which is published in America, Vietnam (in Vietnamese)...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
VISION
FRANCES P Frances Perkins (born Fannie Coralie Perkins; April 10, 1880 – May 14, 1965) was an American workers-rights advocate who served as the fourth United States Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position. A member of the Democratic Party, Perkins was the first woman ever to serve in a...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
A BETTER LIFE
MARC W My father immigrated to the US in the 1950s with his parents when he was a small boy. Holland was still recovering from the Second World War, and opportunities seemed limited. Adding to the economic challenges, my father was the product of a relationship that was scandalous for the time: my grandfather came from...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
KINDNESS
WENDY T Wendy was my wife of 4 years. We dated in high school, over 30 years ago. Eight years ago, we reconnected, and fell in love all over again. I quickly became attuned to why she was so special: Her kindness. I had never met anyone before, who showed as much kindness to everybody, as Wendy had. It wasn't one...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
LORI R. In 2012 Lori, along with her then high school age daughter Shira, began to keep their vehicle filled with pet supplies to hand out to the pets living on the streets of Riverside, CA with their homeless companions. They would give out pet food, leashes, collars and water so the pets would be fed well and kept...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMUNITY
MATTHEW M Matt was a shining example of what it meant to be a good person. He devoted countless hours to volunteering in the arts and helping his community and even more to the people he loved. He was brilliant, kind, funny, comforting, generous, ambitious, loving, witty, and so many other wonderful words that I could not...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
MENTORING
MISTY WELLS 5 Years ago Misty saw a need in children in Foster Care and she took action. For the past 5 years going strong Misty started a non profit called " A Reel Future" where she takes children in Group Foster Care fishing. She has single handed taken over 3,000 foster children fishing. She is showing them...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
CHARLIE SCHULZ My son, Charlie, was an inspiration to many during his 19 years on this earth. When Charlie was in 5th grade, despite what we learned later was severe social anxiety, their strong sense of what was right led them to circulate petitions among their 5th grade schoolmates and write and present a statement (through...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COURAGE
WINSTON CHURCHILL Winston Churchill was a transformational leader who exemplifies courage and an absolute refusal to give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Churchill had the ability to understand the needs of others, listen to those around him, and admit his mistakes while never wavering from his ultimate goal. ...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
FAMILY
PAT C Next to his faith in God, the most important thing in my Dad’s life was his family; my Mom who was the love of his life, his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, brothers, and sisters. One of the ways he made life better for all of us and left his fingerprint on our lives was through the use of what I like to call...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
BRAVERY
HARRIET TUBMAN Harriet Tubman freed 300 slaves she was so brave that is why she is my hero
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
MARJORIE W Marjorie W. grew up in a logging town in the mountains where she was expected to marry and spend the rest of her life taking care of her parents. After World War II, she was able to go to college and change her life's path. Despite leaving her little town, she never lost her core values. She was an honest,...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
PEACE
DANA W Grieving (Fly High Dana Wilson Jr.) On March 7, 2022 my only little brother passed away at home in his bed. This has been one of the hardest things to deal with. I dont think a day goes by that i dont find myself breaking down crying. I think my eyes are puffy did alot of crying yesterday..omg this is really...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
Where did your values come from?

We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.

Tell Us Your Story All Everyday Hero Stories

We use cookies or similar technologies to process data when you visit our site. This data may relate to your use of our site, your preferences, your device, or other information about you. We and third parties may use this information for a variety of purposes, such as enabling the sites to function, to personalize your experience when using our sites, and for analytical purposes. Read our privacy policy and terms of use for details. close

Reject All Accept All