Grand pa was not doing well
at all
had
not
been
tip top
for
quite awhile
but
kept a smile
did
his best
was
strong
is
strong
“Glad to be here!”
he’d
say
and wave
even
as people stood
pretty
much
right
in
front
of
him
And Austin
his
grandson
not
really
understanding
too
young
still
in mom’s
arms
(most
of the time)
squirmed
and
wanted down
wanted
to do something
not just
stare
at
that old guy
After
a particularly
difficult
visit
where
Grand pa
did not hear well
and
spoke
so softly
no one
could
really hear him
Austin
(by then crawling on the floor)
pushed
himself up
and walked
“Hey
hey
hey
his first steps!
He’s taking his first steps!”
And damn
if he
didn’t
get
to the doorway
prop himself
up
with his right hand
and stumble forward
“Did you see that?”
“Did you all see that?”
his
mom
asked
Grandpa
blinked
Woke up
he did
and said
loud enough
so
every one
could
hear:
“That’s my boy!
That’s
my boy!”
Outside the house
it was
quiet
in the neighborhood
Few knew
of
this momentous
occasion
Life just carried on
Those were his
first steps
Not last
mind
you
First
And the next day
Grandpa
was
out of bed
himself
“Little guy
can
do it
damn it
so
can
I!”
And he propped himself up
against the wall
with his right
hand
and
imitated the little boy
and
was
proud as hell
Proud
as
you
can
imagine