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http://niece006.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/the-trail/#comments

      After I came home from school, we left to my mom’s friend’s house for dinner. Everything was going well until we got that tragic call. My mom’s cousin told us that my grandpa had passed away. My mom burst in to tears and I felt my heart sind inside. My mom was devasted and wanted to drive home and pack but her friend wouldn’t let her drive because of the emotional distress she was in, so my mom’s friend drove us home. My mom told us to pack our things because we were leaving the next day to El Paso, Texas where my grandfather had lived. I called my older brother and told what had happened and he drove to our house as fast as he could. He was the only one that could calm my mom down. He helped us finish packing and said that he and his wife would come along with us.

      The next morning we put all the luggage in the truck and took of on the open road. We drove through hot, cactus filled desert, and hot humid mountainous terrain. We finally reached our destination. It was late when we arrived. The next moring, my aunt and some relatives arrived. I met some relatives that I have never seen before and some that I have never even heard of before in my life. Some of the relatives who hugged me and told me that everything was going to be alright had the most vile breath that I have ever smelled before. They all helped my mom and grandma make all the funeral arrangements. I could only imagine the distress my mom was going through while she was planning her own fathers funeral.

       It was the day of the funeral and it was the most depressing day ever in my young life. We all tried to look our best on that cold, gloomy day. When we walked into the funeral home, this tall, slender, dark haired man lead us to this room. The room was filled with different colored flowes and red and white candles all over the place. I busted out in tears when I saw my grandpa in the front of the room. He was dressed in his old Marine Corps uniform. He lay there looking so peaceful as if he were just asleep. I felt like shaking him to wake him up, but I knew he would not. I felt his face, so stiff, I felt his hand, also so very stiff. His short, buzz cut hair was so soft, almost like touching silk. His face was so motionless and so very cold. It felt like I was touching a porcelain doll. It nearly broke my fragile heart when we had to bury him, I just couldn’t let go.

       This very sad event had a huge impact on my life. Ever since my grandpa passed away, I have learned to appreciate life and live life to the fullest because you never know when it will all come to an end. Everyday I think about my grandfather and wonder if he is looking down on us and watching us from above. I miss him with all of my heart.