My Grandfather Was a Magical Figure in My Life.  

He ran a hotel in Rochester MN, and when they built their rooftop swimming pool, he said he had it built for me, I was 7. BUT, he said because he knew I was a generous and kind person, he told the hotel that I wouldn’t mind sharing the pool with the hotel guests. How could I say no, so I shared ‘my’ swimming pool. My youth was filled with many more fun and magical events such as this because of my grandfather.

After suffering a couple of strokes and aging in general, he began to experience dementia and confusion in my late teens. The large and in-charge charismatic man I had experienced in my youth was now a human man that needed his family’s help. It was my first time experiencing this, and it was scary.

There came a time when in-home care and living on his own was no longer an option. My parents found the best nursing home they could, and he was moved there. Shortly before his death, I went to visit him. I remember walking into the nursing home. I was in my early 20’s and visiting on my own. His room was dark, and he was lying down, asleep. I stood quietly by his bedside, not exactly sure what to do. I touched his arm. Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked directly at me. ‘I’m not sure exactly who you are, dear little girl, but I know you are special to me.’ That’s all he said before he fell back asleep. Those were the last words my grandfather said to me. From this, I choose to keep with me the knowledge that love perseveres. Even in his confused mental state, my grandfather may not have known who I was, but he knew he loved me.

Live well and Love well,

Liv Fagerholm

Creation Associate at Maria’s Place