.:: By John B Grimes
For me, "The Last Time" is a concept I've embraced that encompasses the bittersweet realization that, in the moment, we often don’t know when we're experiencing something for the last time. It's the quiet poignancy of life's transitions, the moments that slip away almost unnoticed until they're gone forever.
We all have experienced "The Last Time" in life. But did we realize it when it counted? The last time you read a bedtime story to your child before they outgrew it, the last words said to your spouse or best friend, the last adventure you were on with your beloved pet. In those instances, life moved forward, and what was once routine and taken for granted hopefully became a cherished memory.
I will never forget the last time I hugged my maternal grandfather. He was almost 89 years old and in seemingly great health. Two days before, we laid his wife of 67 years, my grandmother, to rest. As we gathered around him, before heading to the airport, I vividly remember the familiar scene of departing from his home as we had done numerous times over the years. But this time was definitely different, there was a palpable sense of sorrow. Working my way down the receiving line, I gave his now suddenly frail shoulders an extra squeeze and gave him the assurance that we would talk soon.
Despite the glaringly obvious signs, I convinced myself, as an eternal optimist, that this was not our last embrace. I knew, while driving away, that I'd see him again soon. I knew we would resume our regular phone and Facetime discussions about his latest discoveries on the iPad, the upcoming college football season, and his advice on life’s greatest mysteries. After all, this is the same guy who, throughout his entire life, was resourceful enough to repair and fabricate anything–and I mean anything, served as a Flight Engineer during combat in World War II and defeated cancer without even breaking a sweat.
As it turned out, I hadn’t learned all there was to know about a broken heart during my silly teenage years. My grandfather passed away three weeks later and I was 1,100 miles away. Sent just a few days before his passing, my last ever text message to him; “What’s happening today?” still sits unanswered on my phone. Over the years, I’ve fondly considered his response and it always brings a smile to my face.
This experience profoundly impacted me, it made me realize that there are moments, often occurring in the midst of everyday life, right in front of us, that provide our most significant lessons. They remind me of the fragility of life, the importance of cherishing the present, and the necessity of not waiting to accept the opportunities life offers.
In my journey, this mindset has reminded me to embrace each moment, to see the value in every step of my progress, and to recognize the opportunities that arise when we don't wait for life to change on its own. These moments are the threads that weave the fabric of our lives, and it's up to us to make each one count. My grandfather's passing served as a powerful lesson that life's most precious moments are often the ones we refuse to believe or the ones we least expect to be the last.
