March 29, 2024

A second chance dream

I had the strangest dream this week.

It was present day. It felt like it could have been today only it was dark and rainy, and I was at a hospital. My grandpa was dying.

He passed away when I was in ninth grade so it was strange to have to relive and return to this memory again, but this time I was prepared and comfortable.

It seemed as if my whole night spent in dream was centered around his finals hours, planning for upcoming funeral arrangements and saying goodbye.

The most vivid part of the dream was when I had the chance to tell him everything I wanted to tell him that I never had the opportunity to do before.

He was laying in his hospital bed and everyone had been in and out of his room all night. I had been waiting for my time to talk to him alone although the anticipation created a mixed emotion of half eager, half anxious. The room cleared, and then it was just he and I. He was ill, but awake, and alert, as relaxed as if he were having a cup of tea at the kitchen table.

I got the opportunity to tell him how important he was to me all those years and all the years since, how much I valued all of our time together and how much I loved him dearly.

When I was in middle school, he got me a teal bicycle at the old bike store on the northwest corner of the square. We got it registered at city hall and I rode it from my mom’s house to his house almost every day. I got to tell him how thankful I was for all of his help.

When I was at his house we loved to cook together, whether it was Bisquick pancakes, homemade goulash or apple turnovers. I got to tell him there’s nobody else in the world I’d rather cook with than with him.

I got to tell him thanks for all the lessons he taught me about patience, respect and hard work.

It was the best dream I’ve had in a long time.

When I was 14, I was sad about the passing of my grandfather, and I felt bad for my mom, aunts and uncles, but I didn’t understand the importance he had in my life at the time. I was young, not as mature as I am now and not as experienced as I am now.

I’m not sure how this rare and memorable dream happened, but I think it has to do with the recent passing of old friends Cliff and Iva Mae Hummel as well as an ever growing desire to ride my bike again.

When someone passes in your life, you should spend time to let them know everything you want to say before it’s too late. Make that effort, even if it’s hard for you, especially if it’s hard for you — they deserve the words and you deserve the opportunity.

Some people don’t get that opportunity and that is why you should be thankful for everyone today. Call your friend back who you haven’t talked to in a month, tell your mom how much you love her or ask your dad to lunch.

In memory of my Grandpa Albert Kosmach.

Contact Kate Malott
at kmalott@newtondailynews.com