Unfiltered Story #313661

Hi there, Peanut here (from “You’ll Always Be His Peanut”). Between work and the new variants cropping up, I didn’t get to go home for Christmas this year, but my dad did video chat with me. We went around the room saying hello to everyone, I answered the same “how are you?” over and over until finally Dad took his phone to see Grandpa sitting in the living room. He was napping on his favorite chair.

Dad: I’ll see if he’ll wake up for you. He’s been in a mood all day. The doctors think it’s his dementia getting worse.
(*He gently touches Grandpa’s shoulder*)
Dad: Hey, Dad.
Grandpa: What?
Dad: You wanna say hi to (my name)?
Grandpa: Peanut?
Me: Hi Grandpa.
Grandpa: Peanut?
Dad: Here, Dad. Take the phone.
Grandpa: Peanut? Hi kiddo!
Me: Hi Grandpa! How are you?
Grandpa: Oh I’m good. We ate so much today. I ate all the cranberry sauce!
Me: Oh nice. That’s the best part
Grandpa: Did Santa bring you anything nice?
Me: Yeah, I got a new jacket. And I got your card. Thank you for the money. It was nice to hear from you.
Grandpa: That’s good. (*He yawns*) My old bones and full belly need a nap.
Me: Sleep tight, Grandpa. I love you.
Grandpa: Love you, Peanut. Be good.

(*My dad takes the phone back*)

Dad: Did you see his shirt?
Me: No?

(*Dad turns the phone again to show my Grandpa sleeping in his chair, wearing a shirt I made for him several years before. It was a cheap ink-based screen printed silhouette of the two of us standing side by side, now faded.*)

Me: I’m surprised he still has that.
Dad: I tried to dress him in nice clothes today but he wanted to wear that t-shirt in case you came by.
Me: (*trying not to cry*) Oh. That’s …. really nice.
Dad: We miss you, sweetheart. Come home soon, if you can.

I can’t wait to go home again.