To One of My Most Cherished,

What words can express a love so strong it brings you to tears? I have never been much of a hugger, but being embraced tightly by a loved one is second to none. To still be called "kid" at the age of twenty-one may be belittling to some, but to me, this innocent sobriquet holds endearment, a big smile, and the fondest memories. "Grandfather" has never seemed an appropriate label for my Grandad, as there is a slight difference in connotation between father and dad. To me, "father" creates distance, whereas "dad" is a loving palindrome that shows comfort and trust. I've known this person as Grandad all my life, it is not a name that I chose for him, but I could not imagine a title that resembled anything less than comfort and trust. I could create an exhaustive list of spruced-up adjectives that outline how much he means to me, but the shortest and sweetest word is "adult." A dry and simple word that did not have much meaning to me years ago, but now it has become my smart response to "kid."

To him, I am "kid," and to me, he is "adult." Naturally, that is not all that we think of each other as, but to us, these words hold more depth than their surface-level translations. I am blessed beyond measure to have such a cherished relationship with my Grandad. I am blessed to have a mom who knew the importance that grandparents have in children's lives, a mom raised by someone I respect and love so deeply, a mom who embodies my Grandad's qualities: strength, patience, grace, humility, and wisdom. I am truly the richest person in the world to have my mother and her father, people who continue to pour wisdom into my life and never fail to remind me how loved I am.

To my beautiful and strong superwoman of a mom, if Grandad's love is almost palpable for me, I can only imagine his unwavering love for you.

This poem is dedicated to my Grandad

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Things My Grandad Must Have Said

I want to depart in the springtime,

The Odessa ground soft and fine,

Welcoming me to this new home of mine.

April. Warm April

Following Easter Sunday church.

I want it to feel divine.

I want everyone to feel at peace

For the birds to chirp and the sky to speak.

Of your glory, oh Lord.

I want gas in the tank, new tires that gleam,

Cousins, uncles, aunts and sunshine.

I want a wind so faint that angels sing.

And give me some birds, beautiful doves.

My family singing some hymns,

Tulips, daisies, roses, I’ll have them all.

“Listen” before every word of Psalms,

I want to remind them of how good things are.

Forget my name on the stone, for I live for Him.

One last verse to take along,

Place them beneath the pews,

And I want a simply made coffin,

I want to be wearing cloth from all of my time,

Memories to be taken. God,

It is finished.

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This poem was mirrored from Mark Cox's poem, "Things my Grandfather Must Have Said."

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=36605

Photo owned by MME