Did You Ever?

byBellalion

4.7K followers

Updated 6 years ago

Did you ever get lost in a park at about dusk? If you are sensitive to sounds, getting lost about that time of day, is a real interesting experience. My Grandfather was the king of getting lost. I'm surprised he even got dressed in the morning and found his way to the breakfast table. One thing that strikes me as an adult; is the way he handled not being in control. No matter what the situation he always smiled, and somehow found us on our way the right way.

Growing Pains

Growing up on a farm was the best experience in the whole world. Let me explain why I was shuttled off to stay with my Grandparents. My lungs became somehow polluted with a massive bacterial infection. My physician insisted the country was the best place for me. My Mother of course panicked, you see my disease was highly contagious. Mother feared my siblings would become disabled due to exposure. Because of my contagious state my things were replaced on a daily basis. Every day at the end of the day my clothes were burned. My disposable wardrobe was packed in my disposable trunk and I rode the train to a small farming community in Indiana. Upon arriving there my Grandfather with his face mask in place helped load my things into his truck. The community of the small farming town knew who I was and why I was there. The town came to greet me; many individuals stood with gloves and face masks and my Grandfather introduced me to the town.

Ouch That Hurts

My illness made me grouchy and my joints ached. My Grandfather at that time decided no matter what he was going to share his sunny disposition. Grandpa created a game just for me. The game was called 'Did You Ever' He played the game with me as I struggled to survive. Did you ever see a cow suck a lemon? They make a funny face. You need to get up today and feed a cow a lemon. Hey, do you think it might sour the milk? The game was nonsense but it made me laugh and kept a sick child from being bored.

I Miss You

Grandfather has long since passed but I still remember his silly game and sunny disposition. He taught me how to survive. You see he was the one who encouraged me to live. Grandpa picked me up when I fell and by his sheer will I was alive. You see I am a tuberculosis survivor. There were twenty-eight students in my fifth grade class and only two survived.

Conclusion

Any major illness can shape the determination of an individual. The kindness of people who knew my struggles will forever be there to comfort me. I owe my life to my Grandpa's little farm in Indiana. We all struggle and some will understand the journey and learn from it and some will not. The lessons here at Wealthy Affiliates reminds me of the road I've traveled to arrive here. I will survive here and thrive. The community here is like the one in that small town that welcomed me all those years ago.