Christmas Wish

Christmas Wish

"Andy! What do you want for Christmas?"

Andy looked up from the TV to his grandfather sitting in the chair in the corner. The chair he always sat in now.

Sudden flashes of his young life went through his mind. Grampa had always lived with them. He could almost swear remembering Grampa holding him as an infant, feeding him. Mom says it’s just the pictures on the mantle, but Andy always felt it was more.

He definitely remembered many things from his youngest years. Grampa had been his daycare while Mom and Dad worked. They spent all day together until he entered preschool, and even then, afterschool time. He and Gramps were inseparable.

As he got older, new friends worked their way in. Gramps fell to watcher, driver, responsible adult often. But at home still his best friend.

But over the past few years, Gramps’ health had taken a turn. While his mind was still sharp, his body was failing. He was in and out of hospitals. He had lost a lot of weight, and was tired all the time. They were told to enjoy the time they had with him, there was no talk of recovery, not anymore.

As all this rushed through Andy’s mind, what he wanted to say was, “You, Gramps, I want you to be well, and stay with us.” But he knew that was one thing Gramps couldn’t give him no matter how much he wanted to, not anymore.

So he smiled his most mischievous smile, and he said, “There’s a new game out, Turbo Blast Space Invaders! I bet I could beat your pants off on it if somebody got it for me for Christmas...”

A giant smile broke out on Gramps’ face as he chuckled, saying, “You’re on!”

Andy’s heart filled with love.