258: THROWBACK: MORE BROKEN


    LUKE’S POV


    FLASHBACK


    I never thought I would have to attend my parents‘ funeral at the age of seven. It all happened so


    suddenly, and I was left with my grandfather as my only family now. As we entered the church, d could


    feel the weight of the situation on my small shoulders. My grandfather held my hand tightly we made


    our way to the front of the church, where my parents‘ caskets were ced.


    I could hear people whispering and sniffling as we passed by them. Some of them gave me.


    sympathetic looks, but I couldn’t bring myself to look back. I just kept my head down and followed my


    grandfather.


    Reaching the front, I saw two bodies covered there, and this left me more broken. Tears filled my eyes,


    and I could feel my throat tightening. My grandfather squeezed my hand, and I knew he was trying to


    give me strength.


    “Grandpa, why did they have to go?” I finally spoke, my voice trembling.


    “I know, Luke. I don’t have the answers, but I promise to take care of you from now on,” my grandfather


    replied, his voice filled with sadness.


    We sat down in the front row, and the priest began the service. I tried to listen, but the words seemed to


    be a blur. I couldn’t believe that my parents were gone and I would never see them again. My eyes kept


    wandering to their caskets, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness inside me.


    After the service, people started toe and pay their respects. My grandfather held my hand as we


    stood in line, and people kepting to us, offering condolences. I could see tears in their eyes,


    making me realize how much my parents meant to them.


    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    A woman approached me, and I recognized her as my mother’s great friend. She hugged me tightly


    and whispered, “Your parents were amazing, Luke. They loved you so much.”


    ‘I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore, and I buried my face on my grandfather’s shoulder. He


    rubbed my back soothingly and whispered words offort.


    After the funeral, my grandfather and I made our way to the cemetery for the burial. As I watched my


    parents being lowered into the ground, I felt a sense of finality. They were truly gone, and I was left


    alone.


    “Luke, would you like to say a few words?” My grandfather asked, breaking the silence.


    I nodded and stepped forward, looking at the caskets. “Mom, Dad, I miss you both so much. I wish you


    were still here with me. But I know you will always be watching over me from above. I love you,” I said,


    my voice shaking with emotion.


    My grandfather hugged me, and we stayed there for a while, just standing in silence. As we returned to


    the car, my grandfather held my hand tightly, and I knew he would always be there for me.


    250, THROWANY MORE BROKEN


    2/3


    “Are you okay, Lake?” he asked, looking down at me with concern.


    “I will be, Grandpa. I have you,” I replied, giving him a small smile.


    We drove home, and my grandfather tucked me into bed, just like my parents used to do. As I closed


    my eyes, I could still feel their presence, and I knew they would always be with me in spirit.


    “Goodnight, Laike,” my grandfather whispered, kissing my forehead.


    “Goodnight, Grandpa,” I replied, feelingforted to know that I still had family by my side.


    As I approached the familiar gravestone, I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat. I took a deep


    breath and tried to hold back my tears. My grandpa put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it


    gently, giving me a reassuring smile.


    “Are you ready, Luke?” he asked.


    I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak. We stood in front of the grave, and I gently ced a bouquet


    of flowers on the grass. I traced my fingers over my parents‘ names engraved on the stone, feeling the


    coldness of the letters against my skin. It has been three years since they left me.


    Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “It’s me, Luke. I turned ten today.”


    My grandpa stood a few steps behind me, giving me some privacy to talk to my parents. But I knew he


    was listening, just like he always did. Knowing that I wasn’t aloneforted me.


    “I miss you both so much,” I continued, my voice trembling. “I wish you were here to celebrate with me,


    I wish you could see how much I’ve grown physically and emotionally. I wish you could be here to guide


    me and give me advice. But I know you’re watching over me, which strengthens me.”


    I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears. I could feel my grandpa’s presence behind me and


    knew he was smiling proudly. I turned to him and gave him a small smile before turning back to my


    parents‘ grave.


    “I want you to know that I will always remember you, Mom and Dad,” I said, my voice stronger this time.


    “You will forever be in my heart, and nothing can ever change that. I will make you proud, I


    promise.”


    I felt my grandpa’s hand on my shoulder again, and I knew it was time to go. I said my final goodbye to


    my parents and turned to leave, but not before giving the gravestone onest touch.


    “I love you, Mom and Dad,” I whispered before walking away with my grandpa.


    We both walked back to the car, and I felt a sense of peace and closure. I knew my parents were gone


    physically, but their love and memories will always be with me. I will continue to visit their grave every


    year to remind them that they will always hold a special ce in my heart.


    Getting inside the car, I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. The emotions from visiting my parents‘


    grave overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t help but cry.


    25A THROWBACK MORE BROKEN


    My grandpa noticed and immediately reached over to wipe away my tears. “Don’t cry, Luke,” he said


    softly. “Your parents wouldn’t want to see you sad on your birthday.”


    “But I miss them so much,” 1 sobbed. “I wish they were here.”


    “I know, kiddo,” my grandpa replied, his voice filled with understanding. “But they will always be with us


    in our hearts and memories. And they would want you to be happy today, on your special day.”


    I sniffled and tried topose myself. My grandpa was right. My parents wouldn’t want me to be sad.


    They always wanted me to be happy and enjoy life.


    “I’m sorry, Grandpa,” I said, wiping my tears away. “I just wish they were here to celebrate with us.


    “I know, Luke,” my grandpa said, starting the car. “But they are here in spirit. And we will always carry


    them with us, no matter where we go.”


    We drove in silence for a few minutes, the only sound in the car being the soft hum of the radio. I could


    feel my grandpa’s presence next to me, and it gave me a sense offort.


    “Thank you, Grandpa,” I said, breaking the silence. “For always being here for me.”


    “It’s my pleasure, Luke,” he replied with a smile. “Your parents were my children, and you are my


    grandchild. And I will always be here for you, no matter what.”


    I smiled back at him and leaned my head against the window, watching the scenery pass by. I knew my


    parents were watching over me, and I promised to make them proud