Once,
I was at a bus stop.
I met a man, just waiting for the next ride.
The hour's passed, but there was no bus to be.
He seemed like he had something on his mind.
A kind of weight.
We started talking,
and before long,
he shared a story that still echoes in my mind.
He said,
You know,
My grandpa took me on a ride once.
He told me there was a place he loved to go.
And that it was time that I see.
He said that I was just a baby when it happened long ago.
But I am old enough now, so it's
time for me to know.
The man paused for a moment,
his eyes distant as he went on.
He took me to the graveside where my grandma lay.
We're here today to fix these three unmarked graves.
He told me that's your mother there,
with tears in his eyes.
On the right side of grandma is where your mama lies.
Next to your mom,
your dad,
and sister next to them.
The man uttered,
with a sad look on his face.
My grandpa waited all these years to show me off to them.
If grandma was still here,
he wouldn't be doing it alone.
He told me that he and grandma had planned this many years ago.
They didn't want me to be hurt when I was younger though.
His grandparents raised him the best they could,
just like he were their son.
His grandpa told him,
I love you more than anything,
and I hope I've done this right.
I walked over,
hugged my granddad,
and we both stood there and cried.
Cried.
All I could say was thank you for always being by my side.
I wish I could have known them like you and grandma did.
I had a sister,
mom,
and dad when I was too little of a kid.
I thank you again for everything, and yes,
I love you so.
Another long pause,
and then he spoke again.
No marble headstone marks where my family lies.
I visit them quite often,
and I talk to them at times.
Grandpa passed away now.
He's by my grandma's side,
and my name chiseled in stone,
where one day I will lie.
I listened to his story with an aching feeling in my heart.
How lucky for the blessing of my family
always being in my life.
I wondered if his sadness was really true torment,
or
did he realize that such grandparents not everyone is lucky to have?
The bus
came, the man got on without another word,
leaving me reflecting on everything that
I've just heard.