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The Burning Candle
by
Maggie Murphy
My grandmother
came from a very Catholic family from the Bronx. My
grandfather alike came from a very strict Catholic
family from Queens. And together in each other they
both found love at 13 years of age. By the time my
grandfather was 17 he joined the navy, eventually
fighting in World War II and becoming a veteran.
They soon married and lived happily for over 60
years in Woodside, New York.
But sadness struck the family and in 1994 my
grandfather passed away. This devastated my
grandmother. She couldn't find the strength to go
on anymore. The love of her life was no longer
here any more to give her comfort and support. My
father (their son) convinced her to come down to
San Diego, California to be around us for support
that she so desperately was craving.
I thought it was great having her around. She
showed me old photographs, told me stories, and
showed me all the love letters my grandfather wrote
to her while he was off on his many adventures in
the navy. Their love was like no other. It seemed
as if it was too good to be. But back in those
days, that was how men treated their ladies. I was
amazed at what a great life my grandmother had with
my grandpa.
I started to become very close to my grandmother.
This was now no longer a long distance relationship
between grandmother and grandchild. This was real
life face to face. We spent many days eating out,
going shopping, or just hanging out. She was the
one member of the family that was my love and
support. Something I lacked between my parents. She
was also a loving great grandmother to my 2 sons.
But in 2002, she became deathly ill. She was in and
out of the hospital constantly. She used to be so
bubbly and full of life. She used to always have her
hair done, dressed to kill, and always painted her
nails and kept them long. But now she looked as if
she couldn't do that any more. She had lost a lot
of weight too. I knew then and there that I was
losing one of the best persons in my life, my
grandmother.
She passed away on Memorial Day that year, in
2002. I lost a dear family member who I held near
to my heart, I lost that caring shoulder I could
always depend on. And in her memory I will always
burn a candle and keep her pictures fresh in my
heart.
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