Author: Anna Dungca
It’s been four years, yet it lingers on my head, like a candy that’s been stale, and melting.
Candies and sweets are my grandfather’s way to show he cares. When I was in university, my
grandfather suffered from acute kidney failure – requiring him to have dialysis on a regular
basis. Being caught up in the nonchalance of being young, and being caught up in school
activities – I almost never adhered to his requests of regularly accompanying him at the
hospital. I remember, there was once summer where I decided to show up, and spend half of
my day in the Dialysis unit of our provincial hospital.
I was late, and it was my first time there. As I rushed through the doors, the nurses and medical
aides seemed to know me. My grandfather is the type of person who would talk to anyone, and
everyone. That’s when the moment clicked – for the past two years he’s made the hospital a
part of his routine, my grandpa would share about me to people he knew. I remember barging
into the dialysis unit, and there was an elderly who asked “Are you Ambet’s grand daughter
who’s a national scholar?”. In my head – wow! I never acknowledged myself that way, yet my
grandpa never fails to mention how proud he is of me.
I finally found him in the dialysis unit – being treated with machines that gave him a life
expansion of 7 years. His arms are engrossed with needles – like a warrior that’s been throug
multitudes of victories. As I walked towards him, he offered me a candy, and said “You’re finally
here, what took you so long?”. My grandpa isn’t allowed to eat these anymore due to his
diabetes which later caused his kidney disease, yet he always keeps a candy since he knows I
like sweets.
Ordinary days become special days when we have people that are no longer with us. Writing
this makes me realize how our mundane days that involve older adults in our lives become fond
memories as they move on to the next life. I feel better knowing why this memory stuck in my
head for so long is probably one of my fondest memories of him. Sometimes, penned thoughts
iron out unresolved emotions, and memories that we have of people we love. I take comfort with
the fact that at some point in my life, my grandfather was my biggest cheerleader. He took
emphasis and admiration to people who do well academically. Although I’m neither the best nor
the brightest, subconsciously, I try to be better each day. For I know that someone out there is
cheering for me.