This is a story written by Aimee Bourey, daughter of my cousin Mike and his lovely wife Kelly. The article won first place in a writing contest in Denton Texas. It is beatifully poetic and a fitting tribute to my Uncle Art. Thank you Aimee for allowing me to publish your story here on my little blog site. It is especially appropriate for this Memorial Day weekend.
My Grandpa
by Aimee Bourey
Arthur Bourey, my grandpa, was a brave man. He was born on September 9, 1926 in Standish, New York. He served in U.S Navy during World War II. Afterward, since my grandpa was smart and strong, he worked as a master welder for thirty-three years.
But that is not all I knew about him. Beside all the stories I heard from my dad and other relatives, I knew him as a quiet and loving man. When I first met my grandpa I thought that he was a soldier though I did not know he had served in the Navy then.
When I walked into his home, I saw a beautiful handcrafted clock hanging on the wall, the quiet clock sounding just like the way grandpa talks, sturdy and trustful. I saw several of his model airplanes in his basement, all bright and shining; they shined like grandpa’s loving eyes behind his glasses. I saw his big green backyard with the plaster donkey in the middle hauling a wagon full of beautiful flowers. I felt the warm welcome from grandpa about our visit. Now, that home is all lonely and sad. A For-Sale sign is probably in front of it. His model airplanes are probably all packed to be sold. The plaster donkey with wagon might have been boxed up too. His handmade clock might be still on the wall, saying good-bye. My grandpa died. My tears rained for lifetimes. My happy smile has been destroyed by the sudden news.
I wish I could have said THANK YOU or I LOVE YOU to him for all the times I didn’t. I wish I could have sent him the THANK YOU card for the present he gave to me last Christmas. I wish ………I love my grandpa! I will miss him forever. I know he is in a better place and his bright eyes will shine on me all rest of my life.
