Before They Disappear Poem by Jim Yerman

I remember Grandpa…when our family gathered at his house…as our joy and laughter filled the air…we would always find him smiling…sitting in his favorite chair.

I remember how he'd smile…listening to new stories…or stories we retold…when I was young I figured that's what Grandpas do when Grandpas get that old.

Sometimes he would add to a story…Oh! How his stories could beguile…but most of the time he was content to sit…to listen...to watch…and smile.

I know now what Grandpa was doing…it wasn't because he was old…or weird…he was capturing memories as they surfaced…before they disappeared.

He was gathering up new memories…ones he hadn't heard before and filing them away in his heart…in the place where memories are stored.

As he listened to us retell old stories…stories of family and friends…he was recalling his own memories and seeing how they blend.

He was reveling in the moment…knowing moments like those only last a little while….awash in all those memories…he could not help but smile.

I know this because when our family gathers at our house…as joy and laughter fill the air…I am now that Grandpa smiling…sitting in my favorite chair.

Capturing as many memories as I can…new memories and old ones I hold dear…smiling…trying to enjoy every moment…before those moments disappear.

Hoping every memory I'm a part of…over time…in my family will appear and reappear…and just like memories of my grandpa
will bring a smile to their faces…
when I'm no longer here.