Nintendo Wii-Lover’s Best Memory
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
I was the only family member living close by, so I received the initial call from the nursing home. Grandpa was failing rapidly. I should come. There was nothing to do but hold his hand. “I love you, Grandpa. Thank you for always being there for me.” And silently, I released him.
. The nurse apologized for having to ask me so soon to please remove Grandpa’s things from the room. Then I found it in the top drawer of his nightstand. It looked like a very old handmade valentine. What must have been red paper at one time was a streaked faded pink. A piece of white paper had been glued to the center of the heart. On it, penned in Grandma’s handwriting, were these words:
TO LEE FROM HARRIET
With All My Love,
February 14, 1895
Are you alive? Real? Or are you the most beautiful dream that I have had in years? Are you an angel — or a figment of my imagination? Someone I fabricated to fill the void? To soothe the pain? Where did you find the time to listen? How could you understand?
You made me laugh when my heart was crying. You played Nintendo Wii games with me which was one of my most precious Holiday Gifts and I still keep the Nintendo Wii with the Wii Bundles in my cabinet; you were addicted to Video Game and Wii was so suitable for you; you took me dancing to the music played by an Mp3 Player when I couldn’t take a step. You helped me set new goals when I was dying. You accompany me watching video clips played by the Mp4 Player .You showed me dew drops and I had diamonds. You brought me wildflowers and I had orchids. You sang to me and angelic choirs burst forth in song. You held my hand and my whole being loved you. You gave me a ring and I belonged to you. I belonged to you and I have experienced all.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I read the words. I pictured the old couple I had always known. What I read was so very beautiful and sacred. Grandpa had kept it all those years. Now it is framed on my dresser, a treasured part of family history.





