Tuesday, May 6, 2008

White wrinkles

My mom called last night to tell me that my grandpa is dying. For medical reasons I just don't care to explain, the news itself wasn't a complete surprise. But, the phone call from my mother last night was. I guess I just didn't expect to be having that conversation so soon.

The best part of this dying is that Grandpa is still living. He isn't in any pain, and he is still able to do all the things he wants to do. In fact, as I type this, he's lying shirtless in his sun-chair in the middle of the driveway. As soon as the temperature tops 55, he covers himself in iodine and baby oil and begins working on his savage tan. By mid April, he is a lovely shade of brown.

Last time I was home, I found myself staring at the white wrinkles on his dark face. The little lines of skin are tucked away in creases when he lies in the sun. But, when we talk, when he smiles and laughs, I get small glimpses of those tiny white lines.

When I go home for Mother's Day this weekend, I am going to try to capture his face with my camera.

It's those little wrinkles that I don't want to forget.

9 comments:

Vic said...

lying shirtless in his sun-chair in the middle of the driveway

Hehe! What a character. I hope you capture that as well.

Hugs mate,
Vic

MmeBenaut said...

Oh Terroni, how sad and how lovely at the same time. I'm very glad that he is not in any pain. You are obviously close because you want to remember the little white lines. Good luck with capturing them.
My little nephew once said to my mother that he knew she was old because her face had cracks in it. Thought that might make you feel better little one.

Shan said...

I'm really sorry T. I noticed mention of this on your sidebar and it made me remember when I got that news about my favorite G-pa. I'm glad you are embracing the memories of him while he is living. I went into some weird spell of denial and quit visiting mine when it most counted. Of course I regretted that big time when I later came to my senses. xx :(

Susanlee said...

*hug* You just made me love your grandpa. If you need anything, you know where I am.

nina michelle said...

What wonderful opportunity for you! I am so very sorry you are losing him but so very happy you have had him and that he has meant so much to you.

oxox
nina

Anonymous said...

very sorry to hear the bad news.

this is the thing that always terrifies me. knowing you're dying, when you're not dying yet.

Terroni said...

He has mixed feelings about it. He worries about leaving my grandma to clean out the gutters by herself, but he very much looks forward to meeting the God he has been talking to for all these years.

j-dub said...

The little memories are the best ones. I don't know why that is, but it's true.

Maria said...

I really, really think I would like this guy...

Take some good photos...

I'm glad you get to go see him.