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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: PHOTOS and/or SOUVENIR(S) (vacation) (07/16/15)
I often wonder how many tomorrows I will have with my grandson, Charlie. As a sea of faces pass me by in the airport terminal, I crane my neck around two other couples in order to get a glimpse of him. Charlie is hunched over gasping for air. The coughing spasms gradually subside and his breathing returns to normal.

As I leaned in to give Charlie a hug, I noticed his big brown eyes dancing like twinkling stars in the sky. My grandson is inhaling a few puffs of medicine from his bronchodilator as my daughter gently taps his back to clear congestion from his lungs.

I hesitate, gaping at his tiny frame. Other than his weight loss, it would be difficult for passersby to notice the gravity of his illness.

“Hey champ, are you ready for the game today?” I inquired.

“Who wouldn’t want to go to one of the biggest games of the year?" Charlie shouted.

My grandchildren had done little else but eat, drink, and breathe baseball since he was a small child. I had received a call from Charlie, “I am tired of doing girly things. My two sisters only want to play with dolls or dress up in silly clothes.”

My daughter got on the line after Charlie was finished, “Dad, this would mean the world to him. His body has been steadily declining since he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. He looks up to you since his father succumbed to the same disease a few years ago.”

As soon as I hung up the phone, I grabbed some clothes and threw them in a bag. I notified my employer that I was on vacation and boarded the first available flight out of Detroit heading to New York.

I picked up the minivan from the rental company at the airport, and headed to Yankee Stadium. As I entered the arena with my grandson in tow, the crowds began to erupt into spontaneous applause as the starting lineups were being announced.

The players stretched out in a single file row, placing their caps over their hearts and tilted their chins upward at the American flag softly waving in the gentle breeze. A singer belted out a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner with a high-pitched vibrato tone quality.

The Yankees were in a pennant race with the Detroit Tigers for first place in their division. The excitement was palpable in the arena. The fans were ferociously waving their respective team banners.

As the aroma of hot dogs drifted my way, my stomach started to grumble.I watched my grandson load up on junk food. I asked the server to slather them with ketchup, mustard, and onions. We ordered several sodas, cotton candy and ice cream cones. The doctor had suggested my grandson eat high-fat, high-calorie food just to stay healthy with CF since it aids the body in fighting infections and keeps their lungs strong.

As I heard the crack of the bat, I noticed the trajectory of the ball was floating towards me and Charlie. A mob of people crowded around us, arms flailing, vying for a shot of catching the homerun ball. I assisted Charlie with his mitt, and we snagged the ball together. Charlie was grinning from ear to ear. My grandson had a souvenir to keep in his treasure box at home.

“Do you think I’ll get to play baseball in heaven, Grandpa? I want to throw the ball around with dad when I see him.

My eyes were misted up as I answered, “I don’t know Slugger if they play baseball in heaven, but I know you’ll have the biggest celebration with Jesus and your dad you can even imagine.”

Time passes so quickly on earth that I want to spend more time with the ones I love. Why worry about tomorrows, when I can cherish the memories of today. There is no certainty of a tomorrow but of the hope of our future with Christ in heaven which is eternal.

*****
Sources

www.kidshealth.org
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This article has been read 762 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
07/23/15
This story brought tears to my eyes. What a special moment between grandfather and grandson.

Red Ink: I think you meant grandchild rather than grandchildren when you talked about just Charlie.
Pat Small
07/24/15
This was a heartwarming story. All grandpas should be so loving, putting family ahead of all else. Actually it is a lesson for all of us, not just grandpas.
I also noticed the mistake mentioned in the previous critique.
C D Swanson 
07/25/15
Touching and loving. I enjoyed this entire piece.
Thank you.

God bless~
Phyllis Inniss 
07/26/15
This is a nice piece, even though the grandson is ailing. The love of the Grandfather shines through and takes away from the sadness of illness.
Bonnie Bowden 
07/30/15
Congratulations Loni on your 3rd place award in Beginners. It really is a touching story.
C D Swanson 
07/31/15
Loni, Congratulations.
This was such a lovely and touching entry.
God bless~