I was lucky enough to have known all my grandparents. They were very much alive and even in good health—until very recently. A few years ago, I learned that my grandfather had Alzheimer’s. He was placed in a care facility. From that moment on, I never saw him again. It was a very personal decision. I wasn’t ready to watch him waste away. It was my own way of coping with the situation.
Then my son was born—the family’s first great-grandchild. He, too, had never met my grandfather. The disease seemed to be winning. One October day, while visiting relatives, my mother—who was with my son—decided to go see him. Once inside the room, my son smiled and gave my grandfather a big kiss. It was their first and last meeting. My grandfather had just passed away a few hours earlier.
There are no coincidences in life. As he took his last breath, two men who were dear to me met.
The time for the funeral arrived. It was the first time I had to go through all those emotions. Since my grandfather was well known for having been the village mayor, an impressive number of people showed up at the funeral home. Meanwhile, my little guy was running all over the place among the black suits and boxes of Kleenex. At just one year old, he was playing hockey and lingering around the old gentlemen, since he was very impressed by their canes. He managed to bring a touch of life right next to death.
In the cool October air, a limousine took my grandmother and her children to the church, not far from the funeral home. Of course, the great-grandson was allowed to ride inside, too. Once again, he managed to soothe people’s grief with his infectious zest for life.
In the end, amid the prayers and messages of love heard in the church, the shouts and footsteps of a joyful child echoed through the air. At times, you could see smiles playing on the lips of those present, despite the tears.
No one can be replaced. The pain of grief, however, can be eased.
Children are special—our children. Between the sleepless nights and the tantrums, they bring us joy; they bring joy to others. They, too, are angels.