So Young, So Sad, Loved Grand-Dad

Ricky was just eight years of age,
As a single mom, had to down stage,
That his papa could die any day soon,
I remember that night, there was a full moon,
Doctor said that it would be a long night,
We watched my brave dad fight,
Withered to a skeleton, down forty kilos,
Bed sores were protected by many pillows,
Cancer had eaten away his life,
Married forty five years, to his devoted wife.
My son and my father were inseparable,
Their love for each other immeasurable,
Ricky went to bed, my Mom and I on alert,
Death was in the air, with my dad it did flirt,
My father was very, very ill
Time dragged, it almost stood still.
Night passed and morning came
The doctor came to visit, things still the same,
Took Ricky to school, drove back, sat to have tea,
With my mum when the unavoidable had to be,
Two caregivers by my dad’s side, the one
Shouted help quick, we ran, it was too late
Dad was on his way to heaven‘s gate.
It was eleven thirty in the morning,
A new era without my dad was dawning
My first thought dear God help me tell Ricky.
I drove to his school at the usual time,
Not wanting to alarm him, regular home time,
His teacher guessed as I tried not to cry,
And tried to keep a dry 
Eye, what’s wrong mom Ricky asked, is it papa,
Yes my darling, Ricky sobbed, oh no mama
He sobbed and he sobbed, people came
And so did his friends, what a shame,
All thought of the relationship he had
With his beloved Grand-dad.
The next morning, my son,
Said quite bravely, mama
Going to school, have a spelling test,
What a wonderful little boy, I am blessed.
When I collected Ricky he said,
I spelled everything right from A to zed,
Papa helped with my test, the clouds in the sky
Spelled every word, I felt him so close,
I could touch his nose,
But after break all I did was cry!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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12
George Avatar
March 20, 2022 at 8:57 AM
What a touching story ! I feel a lump in my throat ! Cancer patients go through severe trials.... their relatives too ! I can sense the deep bond your son had with his grandpa.... ! Still what maturity he showed . As he believed, his grandpa must have helped him in his test! Much love to you Jennifer!
Watt Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 4:08 PM
Circling back to congratulate you on your very deserving POTD, Jennifer. Blessings and hugs ~ John
Dietrich Avatar
June 20, 2021 at 11:13 AM
Congrats on POTD . that was a wonderful story, Jennifer, and the ending was just perfect.
Laurie Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 5:08 PM
Hello Jennifer … I can’t imagine the sadness you must have felt recalling this time as you wrote your verse. It is said that time heals but I’m not sure if it does - a fine dedication Jennifer - Lindsay
Gondolf Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 7:11 AM
Jenn, what a beautifully written poem filled with a deep sadness. This tugs at my heartstrings and leaves my eyes misty. Congrats on a well deserves POTD. Hugs, John
Pandit Avatar
June 19, 2021 at 4:12 AM
Back again--BIG congrats on poem of the day, Heidi.
Roper Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 8:48 PM
Great write, Jen, your kind and loving heart shines like the sun. Great tribute to your dad. Congratulations on POTD. I am so glad you are on the mend. My little sister lives with the development of blood clots for the past 4 years, but she has been very lucky they don't move. She is on blood thinners and afraid of everything she does, she is afraid one my kill her.
Hankins Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 7:45 PM
A beautiful tribute to your father and your son's granddad. Congratulations on POTD!
Alex Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 7:26 PM
So Beautiful. Congratulations!
Fenn Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 4:38 PM
What a poignant poem my fellow Jennifer! I’m sorry for your loss though. Is this your first Father’s Day without him? I lost my dad when I was 16. It was tough, especially the first year. Congrats on having this chosen as POTD.
Trifiatis Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 3:39 PM
Another masterpiece. Congratulations on your POTD honor. Blessings
May Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 3:31 PM
Congrats on POTD with this poignant write Jennifer
Allison Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 1:27 PM
got a huge lump in my throat Jennifer, many congrats on POTD:-) hugs Jan xx
Mcconnell Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 1:06 PM
A lovely sad but memorable piece Jennifer penned excellently making such a great memorable write. Congrats on the POTD, blessings and hugs, Gordon
Nicole Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 11:52 AM
Memories remain and moments touch the heart, when a loved one has left this earth. Your thoughts are tender and emotional. I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. Congratulations Jennifer, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy
Buhagiar Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 11:49 AM
Congratulations on your POTD, xxoo
Sands Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 11:01 AM
Congratulations for POTD Jennifer :)
Edmonds  Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 11:01 AM
Hi Jennifer, your poem is touchingly sad, what a wonderful relationship your son had with his grandad and what awesome memories you both must have. Congratulations on poem of the day… Belle
Rone Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 10:52 AM
My blessings to you and Ricky. A moving memorial as read by this longshoreman. - Ken
Y. Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 9:21 AM
Hi Jennifer, I am so happy to be returning to say congratulations for getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved:-) Alexis
Goldsmith Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD win. WOW!!! What a story/write. Your pen was writing overtime on this one. So sad yet so good. Have a blessed day/weekend..................
Peck Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 8:49 AM
All I did was cry, too, reading your poem, Jennifer. So heartfelt and sad. And what a strong boy Ricky is! It's hard to lose a parent. I'm sorry for your loss. Congratulations on POTD!
La France Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 8:14 AM
Jennifer, oh my gosh I have tears after reading this emotionally beautiful story in rhyme, wonderfully penned and congratulations on receiving a deserving POEM OF THE DAY, enjoy the honor, love _Constance
Wolf Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 7:57 AM
Grand-dad helping with the spelling test from the cloud -- He was way ahead of 'Cloud Computing' there... Congrats on POTD, Jennifer! ~ gw
Lamoureux Avatar
June 18, 2021 at 7:15 AM
I think you meant to write “I was a single mom”. I enjoyed the beauty of this piece and the relationship you all shared. So sorry for your loss. Hugs Rick.
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