You would look at me with kind, soft eyes; the wrinkles on your face did not represent your age but merely show all your wisdom. As the cold wind blows past my face I hold tight to your arm, just to reassure myself you were still there. I close my eyes as your voice whispers just above the wind and carries throughout the meadow. Your voice sweeter than angels, quieter than a soaring bird; you would speak of one star casting its light upon the town like the moon would reflect off the lake down beside us, you would tell me stories of moons and planets . I can hear your heart beating like a lonely drum, which once use to beat in sync with hers. I open my eyes as you pause I look up at your face and see the reflection of the water in your tears slowly rolling down and hitting the ground. I hug him tight as my eyes start to shed at the thought of seeing granddad in such sorrow. He pulls back my hair and ties it with a long crimson ribbon, wipes away my tears and kisses my forehead. I would curl myself up into a ball and beg to hear another story, he would look down and smile at me and say “Maybe tomorrow it’s time to get you inside”. As we would walk back to the house he would hold my hand and I would have my stuffed toy in the next. It was a toy dog my granddad had given to me when I was merely a baby, its eyes still had its sparkle, its fur was all worn and tattered from the love that was been bestowed upon it.
When we got back to the house granddad would put on the fire and fetch us a warm cup of coca. I would shiver as the coca first hit my mouth and trickled down my throat. He would put a blanket round over my shoulders and return to his book. I glance above the fire place and see a picture of Me, Granddad and Grandma; with not a speck of dust on it how granddad loved this photo. I touch the back of my hair and took out the ribbon it was the same as the one Grandma was wearing in the photo. My eyes start to go all glassy but I hold myself back, I could not cry in front of Granddad I just couldn’t do that to him! So I grab my toy and blanket and scurry up stairs. I sat there and cried remembering the times when all three of us went fishing or when we went camping by the lake. Granddad was all I had left!
I Walked into the bathroom with my hand covering my eyes, as I walk in I cut my arm across the lock. The pain is so bad that no words can describe it, the only thing you feel at first is nothing, and then you see the red warm liquid flow out from the slit that is frozen from the cold bite of the metal slowly swiping against my arm. I rush over to the tap and splash water across it. I see the blood mixing in with the water and swirling down the drain. It stings and I let out a slight sigh. As I look up at myself in the mirror I see my eyes blood shot red from crying. I grab a piece of toilet paper and wipe them dry. I hurry into my room only to find Granddad sitting there in his chair with a book ready to read aloud. “Come on get into bed” I hear him say. I don’t even give myself time to think I run over the bed and jump in; I pull up the covers right to my chin and hold onto my toy. “Ready?” he would say I would slowly nod my head in agreement. He opens his book and finds my favourite story......... one about the crescent moon. I liked this one because it proves all the wonders of the world. That even the smallest of things can be beautiful. As He was half way through the story my eyes start to feel heavy so I shut them and before I knew it I was fast asleep where my dreams were his stories, where his stories where my reality.
“Aurora..... Breakfast” Granddad would shout from down stairs, awaking me. I would get up and sigh at the thought my dreams were merely my imagination, I would throw on any random pieces of clothing that were lying on the ground and put them on and sprint down stairs, being careful not to slip on anything that had been left lying on the floor from the previous night. As I walked into the kitchen the smell of eggs and bacon lingered throughout the house. There sitting at the table was granddad with the family dog Fred beside him. I ran in and grabbed my chair and sat down. I eagerly got into my breakfast remembering not to leave a single speck left on the plate. “So Granddad what are we doing today?” I said while finishing my last bit of food. There was a long pause “Granddad?” He did not reply “Granddad are you ok?” he took a large breath and slowly nodded his head. “Today we will spend inside” He finally replies. I glance at the window as the rain is slowly hitting the glass Lightning is flashing across the sky behind the dark clouds like many cameras flashes during some big event, as the thunder gently rattles the ground bellow us. Granddad leaves the table and sits in his chair with Fred flowing after him.
I walk up stairs and sit on my bed. With the pick in my hand and my guitar on my knee, I strum the strings and play a sad melody. As I strum the final notes and tear drop falls on my guitar. I lay my head back on my pillow. There was something about that tune that reminds me of them.... my parents; I just didn’t understand how they left me like this, and why did they have to go when I was so little. I hear a panting noise by my side I roll over to find Fred brushing his head against my hand. I slowly stroke his silky coat. Fred Clambers onto my bed giving my no space to sit. So I move off and onto the floor. I drift off into one of my dreams before I know it. Several hours later Granddad comes to wake me up. The rain had stopped so I asked if we may go down to the lake. “Go get your coat then” he replies. I grab my coat and shoes and open the door to let Fred out, he sprints past me and runs round barking. I sit by the door waiting for Granddad to finish getting ready. He has his book in his hand and Fred’s leash in the next. I close the door behind him.
As were walking I take in a deep breath and let it out how I loved the country side it was so calming and quiet. As we approached the lake I hear the rippling of tiny waves. The sun was setting just over the trees in the far distance. Granddad found a soft spot under a tree and placed himself down with his book. There in the lake was Fred paddling round as usual casing after the poor ducks and fish . I would sit on one of the rocks by the water and dip my feet in, or see what things I could find. My Hand leisurely brushed through the water. As the water flowed through my fingers I watched the final piece of light shining above the tree top vanish leaving the horizon a lilac, scarlet colour. I pick up a flower that is floating past in the water, its colour was of orange and ruby and its petals as delicate as a new fallen snow flake. I take it over to granddad as he is getting settled to tell me a story. I grab my soft toy and snuggle up to him; he opens his book and starts his story. This story I had never heard before so I made sure I paid close attention. The moon soon covered the night sky right above us and I felt as if I were in a trance with its beauty and grace. And granddad’s words only mirrored my thoughts. All of a sudden the story stopped and my trance was broken with the sound of nothing. Look up at granddads face..... It was pale in colour and his expression was blank. His head was lying back on the grass and his eyes shut. I soon realize what is happening and I grab his and squeeze it tight.... My tears are flowing more rapid than eagles. I am shaking with fear, my lip is trembling and I open my mouth to scream but there is no sound. I give up on trying and huddle close to his body. Fred slowly approaches me not barking at all almost as if he understands what has happened. I look in Fred’s eyes a certain sparkle as left them. I pick up Granddads book and Fred’s Leash, I tie my hair back with that red ribbon he had given me, and making sure I didn’t look back I walk to the house. My face completely soaked with my tears.
And now I fear I shall forget those times that I hold so close to my heart. Those stories, the lake, the farm and you Granddad. For I was too young to appreciate anything you did for me. For then I was merely a child & nothing more than that. And now I just wish I could hold you one more time, that I could hear just one more of your stories. But somehow I think I will not forget for a star will always bear your name and I will still shed my tears for you, for I loved you as much as you loved the sky and all its wonders and as much as you loved her. I am no longer that little girl, I no longer carry my toy with me everywhere I go, I no longer wear those little dresses, But I still Have that ribbon and iv never let it go, just like I will never let go of you.