The Gift of Goodbye

There were once two little girls born prematurely on a February morning. They happened to come into the world on their grandfather’s birthday. Over the years, he always told the two blonde-haired, blue-eyed petite girls that they were the best present he had ever received for his birthday.

“Pap-pap,” as they called him taught them many things while the twins grew older. He was a musician, with talent for playing piano, accordion and guitar. He taught them his favorite song, “Paper Roses” on an electric organ in his living room. In many ways, he was the best friend the twins could have, giving them many important lessons and sharing a sense of family pride with them.

He let them know about their Polish heritage by teaching them traditional Polish folk songs and polkas.

Roller-skating was another passion of his, and although he eventually had his legs amputated, he loved to watch his grandchildren roller-skate. As many adults often get tired of hearing, “Watch me! Watch me!” from children, he watched dutifully every single time and always applauded with a grand smile.

Pap-Pap, sadly, suffered from Diabetes, a dreadful illness that attacks the body of its host. He spent much of his time in a hospital bed, and his favorite granddaughters visited him often. He showed a positive spirit always, smiling brightly when they entered his room, often bringing him flowers or balloons. He joked about roller-skating through the halls and tormenting his nurses, carefully masking his pain.

Every year, early in February, the whole family would celebrate the birthdays of Pap-Pap and his granddaughter twins. Being a twin means sharing nearly everything, which can get frustrating for children, yet the two girls never minded sharing their birthday with their grandfather.

When the girls were 12 years old, their grandfather became very sick, spending more and more time in the hospital. Ever dutiful, the twins visited him every other day after school, although at times their grandfather began to not recognize members of his own family.

On the twins’ 13th birthday, and their grandfather’s 63rd birthday, they visited for the last time. He was feeling much better on that day, and talked with them a little before they were ushered out of his room by nurses. They gave him their token “super-hug,” a secret shared only between the three of them, and they said goodbye. He died the next day.

Their best birthday present was the gift of goodbye, and the knowledge that he would be happier and in pain no longer.








Written for "The Writer's Cramp - Poetry Week" 
Prompt: Write a story about the best (or your favorite) birthday gift you ever received.

Word Count: 433