Family Eulogy : My Grandfather

As I begin to recollect past experiences and events growing up, Thanksgiving is the holiday that appears most meaningful. I choose to illuminate Thanksgiving because this is a time when family and friends would forget their worries and differences and collectively came together at grandmother’s house to partake of the Gullah dishes. Furthermore, it serves as a vehicle in stimulating family health and wellbeing, while passing on the identity of the family throughout generations. As I reminiscence, I can recall the air was bursting with love, hugs, laugher and kisses; a sight to behold. Grandmother’s house was small but no one seemed to care as it was inviting. Every area of the house was utilized from the kitchen to the narrow stairway that lead upstairs to the bedrooms. Children were outside playing working up an appetite although there was a chill in the air often going unnoticed, still we were bundled in our hats, coats and mittens. This was not a formal affair but we were all neatly dressed. The house was filled with distinct smells that was heavenly. Steam came from the kitchen as finishing touches were placed on meals. Watching my aunts sweat trying to maneuver in a tight kitchen hoping to avoid bumping into one another was hilarious, but I paid close attention for one day that would be me

Growing up I was always closer to my dad; he's taught me so much about life, me, and how to handle things. My dad always understood me better than my mom ever even tried. My dad taught me I need to stand up for myself, but also to be there when someone needs me. He helped me stand up for myself, showed me what respect looks like; also, he taught me loyalty and respect are the two most important things. Along with all of that, he was there for me when no one else was.

Heavenly smells in the air, footballs on T.V, family is gathered around, and a comfortable homey feel of my grandmother’s house makes Thanksgiving one of my favorite meals of the year. I will always have memories of thanksgiving at my grandmothers. The smell that rushes your nose as you walk in to the house. So many mouthwatering smells go through the air at my grandmother’s thanksgiving. Her Thanksgiving dinner never fails to fulfill my expectations. With the whole family gathered and the dinner table full of delicious food, I can’t help but feel content.

With sadness, honor and anger I make the long-overdue announcement of my Grandfather's Passing, August of 2017. I won't call this a Eulogy. He specifically requested that none be presented. He more specifically demanded that rather than go on about the business of his demise, I am to go on about the business of living successfully, happily and fully myself and being who I am. He was so amazing, wonderful, brilliant, generous of both asset and spirit, kind, non-judgmental, accepting, motivating & compassionate in so many ways and for so many. He loved my grandmother and I in the deepest, most loyal of ways. He has been my idol, my mentor, my project partner, my example, my friend, and most recently, the last living member of my natural family.

Finally, my hunger gets the best of me and I get up, I had skipped dinner after all. Walking the few feet it takes to get to the pantry, I glance out the garage door. I don’t see the dazzling lights that glow under my sister’s praise or the jaw-dropping colors my mom crows about or the fantastic feast my grandmother makes. Confused, I turn the knob of the door. My mind thinks back to Lola, all alone on the guest bathroom floor, but quickly surpasses it knowing I’ll only be a few seconds. I creep out, knowing if my family saw I had come out they’d think I had changed my mind about the holiday and beg me to stay out. Tip-Toeing around my mother’s crimson car, I look in the driveway. There, I see my grandfather wobbling down to the road to set what was the biggest firework I had ever

As I stood over him, confusion overpowered my hopes and positive attitude. I hugged my brother and sisters, my mom and dad, and my grandmother as we said our last goodbye.

“That was pretty cool.” Mom replied. As we pulled in the driveway our grandparents were already waiting and helped us with our luggage. After lunch grandpa started to lecture me about our family

“Uhh, I think I’m going to sleep at grandpa’s house tonight.” He said before leaving out the door. We all laughed till our stomachs hurt. Then, we stopped. Then we laughed some

Tonight, marks the 7 month anniversary of my relationship with my boyfriend. To celebrate, I’m going to make him a romantic dinner with his favorite meal and dessert, the chocolate flan. I am going to teach you how to bake the most amazing and delicious chocolate flan you ever had, so you can bake it for your loved one, on any special occasion. It tastes really good; it just melts in your mouth. Whenever I eat it, I don’t want to put it down, I believe this is why my boyfriend loves it so much. To make this really amazing flan, you need just a few ingredients: 2 cans of sweet condensed milk, 1 can of regular milk, any other milk will change the taste of the flan (use the can from the condensed milk to measure it.), 6 egg yolks, 6 tablespoons

White, the color of snow, the house he lives in, the white sky, all remind me of my grandpa. He always drives all the way from Toronto to Buffalo just to pick me up instead of sending one of my aunts. He welcomes me with a warm and loving smile. At his house he always gives up his bed for me and would alway asks me what I want. He takes me and my sister everywhere we want and gives us everything we want, even if we don’t deserve it. I remember when he took me out for lunch and he would keep asking me if I wanted anything else and would insist to get me something. One of the things that I love about him are his songs. Whenever we were in trouble or he had a problem he would never get mad. He would always deal with them with

My family is about money; you should have a job that's all about money. Don't worry about spending time with your wife and kids because you must provide for your family. It's all about money. I remember when I was growing up my mom and dad will be fighting about money. My dad spends about 13,000 a year on lottery tickets, that's why we have money problems. I have seen money splint up families and friends. I am 28 years old and the only thing that I know about my father is he was born in Alabama. He never spent any time with me or any of his other kids or said anything positive. He tells me to get out his face and leave him alone, go and play some were, and talk to me like am a slave. And the only time he talks to me is when it came to money, example: Why you won't to be in the band? That cost money. My dad and me never spent time with each other unless it is was

I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone that has helped me get this far. I wouldn't be where I am without those people. Specifically, I want to thank my mom, David, and my brother. They had faith in me all along and gave me a lot of support. They have been a huge part of my recovery. I also want to thank my best friend Caitlen for always sticking by me. I also want to thank my VR counselors. First, it was Jay, and now it's Debbie. I want to thank them for making it possible for me to be here. And most importantly, I want to thank CTN for helping me get to where I am today. They always saw the potential in me and never gave up on me.

I believe that one time my grandma told me a story. It was about her growing up as a kid. She did not have any sisters or any girls living anywhere near her cause she lived on a farm. What she did have was 3 brothers. Since she lived with boys growing up she did a lot of boy things. An example is for fun instead of playing with dolls she climbed trees with her brothers. I have been researching for about two weeks and know I am here to tell you about what I have doing. Honestly was very hard as a researcher, I didn’t get anything done on the computers instead I did a lot of interviews. I want to tell you when you’re stuck do not give up in 30 minutes. Just ask your teacher for a little advice or some help with researching. I believe that family is very important because all of them will love you and care for you.

I will always remember the look on my mother's face when she first told me that my dad had died. No emotion. Nothing. It seemed to me that my mom did not care that her husband had just died. I did not want to ask her why she reacted that way for fear of upsetting her, so I turned to others to talk about what had happened and really open up. Talking to others about how I felt about that situation lifted a heavy feeling in my chest and made those first few days without my dad bearable. It came to a point that anytime I got that heavy feeling in my chest I knew it was time to talk about my feelings. Expressing my feelings and opening up to people has now become something I regularly do. I quickly learned to discern who to tell what about me,

“Don’t worry, Mehak, your grandpa is just fine, we’ll get in touch with him as soon as possible though.” My mom assured me, standing by the door.