A’Lelia Sanders

Professor B.Chin
Expository Writing and English
9/29/2021

Losing a loved one

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your

breath away”. - Maya Angelou. I chose this quote because it speaks to me whenever I become

speechless. When events in my life happen, that leaves me in awe . Specifically this quote

because it shows the specialist relationship I have with my grandfather.I lost my grandfather

about three years ago now and I miss him all the time. When I found out my grandfather passed I

didn’t cry until I saw him at the funeral. It broke my heart to actually see someone that I cared

about so much gone. I was so young when I lost my grandfather. I know now that I am older that

he was really there for me. I did not have a father figure in my life while growing up but now

that I am older I realize my grandfather was my father figure.

My dad has been absent since birth. since birth. The relationship I have with my father is very

transparent to the point where I would only recognize his face and voice for when he would pop

up at certain family functions. Not having a father figure in my life has affected me drastically

with relationships with other men and friends and puts a lot of insecurities and tolls on myself as

well. To this day I crave male attention because I did not receive a lot in my life at all. But

thinking about how my grandfather has always been there for me is the best feeling but hurts at

the same time that I can’t see him or talk to him right now.

I genuinely loved my grandfather to death and it hurts me to say that I can’t see him ,smell him,

touch him, or talk to him anymore. My favorite memory of my grandfather that was in my head
repeatedly is when he ordered me and my sister soul food and we were so young and he was so

old she could not understand what we wanted but still ordered our food. We sat at the table and

that food was terrible and we laughed the whole time while eating it , in fact the food was so bad

and we didn't know what it was and tried adding random seasoning to the food to make it taste

better. Memories about me going over to my grandfather's house every day and middle school

with my mom will work late. My siblings and I would watch regular shows all night and my

grandfather didn’t cook a lot so it was McDonald’s and noodles cups most of the time until my

mom picked us up. Memories about when my grandfather would show up to my sister's school to

come watch cheerleading play basketball in any school event that we want him to be out he was

always there. Memories about my grandfather go through my head, specifically the smell of the

doublemint chewing gum all the time when I’m around him in his car and his house or even in

his presence.

Another thing about my grandfather that is in my head about my grandfather is the fact that he

had a bright baby blue car. The car itself was very sentimental to my grandfather because he had

that specific car for years and years until he passed. The car was so unique any time we saw him

driving around, we knew that it was him because no one else would have the same color car.

That blue car was his car for a very long time and all that specific color because it was a favorite

color. I love that about my grandfather. He was so proud of that car and could tell the story

behind it every single day. To this day I think about how I can make my grandfather proud and

the things he would say to me. I always think about the little time that we spent together and I

wish that I would’ve just done more and let him know how much I did appreciate him. I think of

the numerous times that I would be at his house and I could stay there all day and all night

whenever I wanted. To this day I would've gone to my grandfather's house and talked to him
more about everything I had going on and tell him about college, highschool, sports, JROTC,

going to the military, and etc.

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated”. -Maya Angelou. This quote

allows me to remember my grandfather and move forward in my life. Reminiscing about my

grandfather just brings me to the conclusion to cherish the time you have with our loved ones.

But specifically the fact that you never will understand how much love you have for someone

until they’re gone. The second you can’t talk, hug, be around their presence. I truly regret and

wish I knew back then to say more and do more but now I just think about how I can ensure that

I’m doing everything right when it comes to him and keep him in my memory forever and

always.