It was a late night in the summer of 2009. My family had been dealing with my grandpa’s deteriorating health, so we made the difficult decision to admit him to the hospital for better care. That night, sleep eluded me as worry for my ailing grandpa consumed my thoughts. I couldn’t help but toss and turn, my young mind troubled by the uncertainty of the situation.
As I lay there in the stillness of the night, a sudden and loud banging noise echoed from under my bed. Like any child, my instinct was to seek refuge beneath my blanket, where I believed I could ward off whatever might be lurking beneath. Eventually, fatigue overcame my fear, and I drifted into an uneasy slumber.
In my dreams, I found myself submerged in water, struggling to breathe as I drowned. Panic coursed through me until, amidst the darkness of the water, I discerned a figure descending from the sky. With each passing moment, the figure became clearer, and to my astonishment, it bore a striking resemblance to my beloved grandpa. He drew nearer, reaching out to me, and with his gentle touch, I was miraculously freed from the watery abyss. He spoke to me, his words infused with warmth and wisdom, urging me to be strong. But at that time, I couldn’t comprehend the depth of his message. All I knew was that my grandpa was there, offering guidance and love.
I awoke abruptly, my heart pounding with confusion and dread. I turned to the other side of my bed and was met with a surreal sight—my grandpa, smiling down at me and softly stroking my hair. It was as though he had never left us. He kissed me goodnight and whispered words of affection, telling me that I needed to take care of my mom and our family.
With a sense of foreboding, I watched as he gradually faded away. As the first light of morning filtered into my room, I overheard my mom’s tearful conversation. Her words confirmed my deepest fears—my grandpa had passed away that very night.
Though he was no longer with us in the physical realm, the memory of that night and the ethereal visitation from my grandpa left an indelible mark on my heart. His message, cryptic at the time, gradually revealed its meaning as I grew older. It was a reminder of his enduring love and a call to be the pillar of support for my family, just as he had been for us throughout his lifetime.