Growing up, I had one constant in my life, and that was my ‘Poppy.’ He was my biggest supporter through the highlights and lowlights of my life, and the one person I could always rely on. I was his first granddaughter, and he always put me first. He would check on me to make sure that I had eaten throughout the day.  He would take me along when running errands, so that we could spend time together. He attended every one of my sporting events that he could. He even opened his home to my mom, siblings, and me when we needed somewhere to live after my mom separated from my stepdad. I really enjoyed this set-up, since it gave me more time with Poppy. Poppy pushed me to work harder in school, and I became an honor roll-student. With his encouragement, I also became a better softball player.

I never understood what people meant when they said not to take your loved ones for granted. However, that changed on December 7, 2019.  It was the day when my grandfather, best friend, and biggest supporter unexpectedly passed away. It feels like it happened yesterday. I still get jumpy when someone wakes me up when I’m sleeping because that morning, around 7:00 AM, my mom frantically entered my room and said that she needed help moving Poppy to the floor to give him CPR. I didn’t expect to hear those words. I was simultaneously disoriented, confused, and upset. I felt sick to my stomach. I thought that I had years left with Poppy. As I ran up the stairs, my head was spinning. I couldn’t grasp the idea of my grandfather no longer being with us. As we opened the door I saw him lifeless on the bed. His skin was cold to the touch. I knew he was gone, and I was devastated.

I heard the ambulance sirens coming up the road. I ran outside to show the EMT’s to the room. I recognized them, since my parents were firefighters and members of the EMS squad. They also knew my grandfather because he attended their fundraisers and other events.  Upon arriving, Chris, one of the EMS personnel, hugged me and told me everything would be okay, but I knew he was wrong. My Poppy was no longer with me. I couldn’t make him proud anymore.  Then members of the fire department arrived in their personal cars-- some still in their pajamas.. I never realized how much community support we had until that day.

It has been three years since Poppy passed, and the pain lingers. I’ve just learned to handle it better. Poppy may no longer be here physically, but I am confident that he remains my biggest supporter from above. One of Poppy’s greatest legacies was teaching me to value what I have while I have it. Now I cherish the moments I have with other members of my family. Now every time I say goodbye to a loved one over the phone or in person, I make sure to say, “I love you.” Now I play sports in honor of Poppy, and I push myself even harder academically to be an almost straight-A student. Now I make an effort to attend every family event that I can to spend quality time with loved ones before it's too late. My family and I go camping more often to honor Poppy because when we’re in nature, it feels like he is still with us. Ultimately, I’ve learned to find ways to remember what it was like to be with our loved ones who have passed. Nobody lives forever, and I’ve come to cherish the time I have with the people I love before I no longer can.

© Kerstin. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.