A brief look into my childhood

Dad was finally home. Mom said he was going on another trip though. I wondered if he would buy me a gift. I loved presents. I wondered how long he would be gone this time. Time sure went fast when you were a kid--except for when you were really waiting for something. I questioned why Mom didn't say where Dad was going. You know what, I don't even remember Dad saying good-bye. 'Course I was probably sleeping. He probably didn’t want to wake me.

Mom said Grandpa was very sick. I was supposed to go out to see him as soon as Dad got back from his trip. Grandma was crying a lot. Mom was crying a lot also. Women did that. I wished Dad would hurry back. Grandma was praying a lot. Well--she always prayed--but, now that Grandpa was sick she prayed more than ever. Mom said she talked to Dad an hour ago. I puzzled as to why he wasn’t there yet. I thought I should go outside to watch for him. I couldn’t wait to see Grandpa. I would probably ride with Dad. Finally, he was home!

"Hi Dad. Can I ride with you to see Grandpa?"

What, it was not fair! Why did I have to wait? Johnny & Ronnie got to go. They still thought I was a baby. I was not a baby I was almost 8 years old. I had to sit home with Mom. Doc. Ward, what was he doing here! I suppose he will go out with Dad also. Something was wrong. I could just feel it.

"Tommie, it's time to come in now."

“NO! I want to go to Grandpa’s!”

“Tommie, you come in the house now!”

Sure, that was what always happened with grownups--Go in the house. Go out back and play. Go to your room--I didn't get to do anything. I'll just sneak back outside and hide behind Mom’s car, is what I thought.

"Tommie are you outside again, it’s time for supper," called Mom.

"No," I shouted back, "I'm staying right here till Dad gets back, he said I could go see Grandpa and I'm gonna." I shouted back as tears rolled down my cheek.

Mom walked outside and came up to the car, "Tommie, they just said they were going to play Elvis' new song "All Shook up" on the radio," she said in another effort to get me to come in. I really liked Elvis.

"NO, I'm staying right here until Dad comes back to get me." Then I really started to cry!

Mom stood there for a couple minutes more, then, she began to cry, and, right then, as she turned to go into the house, I knew I would never see my grandpa again. I think I already knew that deep inside but I hid behind Mom's car crying and crying.

When Dad pulled in, he didn't have to say a word. He just walked up and hugged me. I knew Grandpa was dead. Geesh, you would think after all these years I wouldn't get all teary eyed but I still do!

Grandma told me that Grandpa was the light of her world but she had another light that would never die. She said that we could all be lights to someone. She smiled at my puzzled look and cheerfully read the following scriptures:

Matthew 5:14-16, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

John 8:12, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."