Dying Peacefully
It was two-thirty in the morning when I
received the phone call about my grandfather being in the hospital. Being away from college had its pros and
cons. Pros I had freedom, cons when something happens with your family you’re
miles away. My grandpa Willie was one of
the best people I knew. Actually he was
the best guy I know. I lived 9 hours away
from my hometown, so I got home as quick as I could. As soon as I arrived in town I head straight
to the hospital. The doctors explained
to me that my grandfather had had a heart attack, and was in critical
condition. They told me that at the
moment he wouldn't be able to talk. Also
that it would be a while before he woke up, maybe even weeks.
My family and I sat day in and day out with
my grandpa in the hospital room. We all went around telling our most favorite
memories with him. For my brother it was when he took him to his first hockey
game, and for my mom it was it was when he told her he loved her like his own
daughter. My father talked about him like
he was the wisest man he had ever meet. And my grandmother told us of there one
of a kind love story. For me it was when
grandpa Willie would take me fishing. Finally, after four days my grandfather
started to open his eyes.
We each took our times to talk with him and
squeeze his neck. The doctors suggest
that he stay in the hospital for another week to get a little stronger. It was nice to have him join on with all the
great stories we had to tell about him.
It was all going good until a day before he was to be released. He had a
stroke and this left him extremely weak, and the doctors didn't feel well about
it. My grandpa started showing weak
signs and told us he was ready to go. We told him to not stop fighting and that
he would pull through. But he explained to us that it wasn’t that he was done
fighting. He explained to that he had had a great life, that he had do his
good, and had the love of his life for over 50 years. He told us that he was ready to let go, and
go peace. And that's exactly how he went
peacefully surrounded by family.
Authors note: This story is based off the character
Drona, from Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata.
The only way Grandpa Willie and Drona were alike was the way they
died. They both wished to die peacefully
and that is how I created this story.
Bibliography: Public domain Edition:
Mahabharata, based off the episode Death of Drona. Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
by Sister Nivedita (1914).
I think you are one of my favorite writers in the class! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. It is so sad, but when you think about it, it is so happy. Grandpa Willie had a wonderful life just based off the people that were at the hospital with him, and he was able to leave peacefully. This story definitely hits home with me and my family.
ReplyDeleteWow, am I to believe this is a true story? If so, I'm sorry for your lose. It sounds like the world is missing a great soul.
ReplyDeleteAs to the story itself, it captured me. I was immersed. I totally forgot this was even supposed to be about Indian Epics until the end. Such a powerful statement: "The only way Grandpa Willie and Drona were alike was the way they died." Wow!
Two critiques- one nitpicky and small, the other a little bigger, but easy to fix.
1) There are a few tense errors throughout. For example: "Being away from college had its pros and cons." Should be "has it's pros..." You are still in college. There are several more errors of this type throughout. Keep an eye out!
2) My favorite part of the story was when you touched on everyones favorite memories of Grandpa Willie. What a great way to characterize both Willie and the other members of the family. BUT. I would have liked more details on YOUR favorite memory. You say its fishing, but WHY? Out of all the many memories you have of him, why that one? WHat does it tell us about Willie, about you? How are you different because of those fishing trips, what wisdom did you learn? I think this should all be elaborated.