Until Next Time...

Are you with me? I don't see you anywhere. Where are you two? I come here every weekend to see if you two will be there, in the same spot, like last time. You two loved this place. One of you said it gave you time to think and to be with the one you loved. But you're not. I stop at the bridge, crying, watching my tears drop to the river. I miss the both of you so much, Grandpa and Grandma.

Grandpa, I miss you the most. With you sitting on your rocker on the front porch with your pipe in hand, always giving me dollars to run to the store to buy us our usual ice cream sandwiches and yahoo drinks. Telling me stories about back in your days. I remember you always making car models. Your grandson loves cars. Remembering, one time, you were excited about going on a cruise, touring the Cuyahoga River with your friends at the community center. You made tons of friends your age there. You lived a long seventy one years.

Grandma, I miss you too. I remember us going to the Westside Market just to buy candy and tins of popcorn. Then, afterwards, we headed toward the little mom and pop restaurant, inside there, for lunch. You always got your usual ruben sandwich meal and diet coke, and you always bought me the hot dog with the KMO(ketchup, mustard and onion), french fries, and chocolate milk. I miss you setting up your trains. Your grandson loves trains. I remember you always took me to your favorite store downtown. It was called the Warner Brothers and they sold all types of cartoon stuff. Especially your favorite—the coyote—the one that always chased the roadrunner. You even bought the Tasmanian Devil sweaters. You had like, tons of those in your closest. I wish they didn't close it down. It was my only memory of you. You lived a long sixty years.

At times, I wanted to just end my life and be reunited with you both, but I'd be selfish to do that. I have my own little family to look after. When I had your great grandson, I cried because you guys weren't there to meet him. I was angry because you two should have been there. His so perfect. Grandpa. We visited you at your home at Holy Cross Cemetery. I believed you were happy to met him that day because, somehow, my car radio changed and it played Frank Sinatra. That's your favorite singer from back in your time. Grandma, I think you were happy, too, when I brought him home three days later after giving birth to him. You are always home since you're cremated. The house was scented in popcorn and lit with the sun rays even though it was in the middle of winter.

Sometimes I think you two know what he might look like. I feel like you hand crafted him just for me. I think you grand people would enjoy spending time with him down here, spoiling him with your dollars and love. I believe you sent him to me in just the right time. Thank you for sending him to me. You two would love him so much.

One day, we will be together. One day, it will be grand again. One day, we can create more memories. One day, we'll do the things we used to do. Can't really stretch these enough, but I wish you were still here with us. Until next time, we'll meet again, at the same place, like always.