Glug, Glug
A few months ago my company installed water coolers for our use. There is one directly outside my office. During each use it makes the requisite “glug, glug” as water is dispensed and large air bubbles make their way towards the water’s surface inside the bottle. Every time I hear that sound I think of my grandfather. He passed away unexpectedly when I was twelve of a massive heart attack. I loved him dearly and have spent the past 26 years wishing he was alive to share in the events of my life. Not a grandfather to lavish you with gifts or smother you with insincere attention, he was instead the sort of man who would spend hours teaching me woodworking or playing catch with me in the yard, illuminated by the weak glow of the porch light, long after my mother had given up calling us in for dinner. He was a kind and wise soul and I miss him dearly.
There was much discussion in the day or so after his death as to whether I would be allowed to travel to NY to attend his funeral. My parents and relatives understandably did not want to traumatize me, but I protested angrily and begged my parents to let me attend. They relented and agreed that I could go. I don’t remember much about the service beyond the crushing pain of losing my grandfather, but I do have one vivid memory that will remain with me forever - the “glug, glug” of a water cooler.
I was allowed to attend the viewing in addition to the service, and probably like many people would, found it extremely traumatic to see my grandfather lying in a casket. Upon seeing him, tears rolled hotly down my cheeks and I felt nauseous. After passing by his casket I was delirious with sadness. Noticing this, a funeral parlor attendant guided me into a private waiting room and I sat heavily on a padded bench sobbing. My Aunt soon came in and sat next to me. Putting her arm around me, she drew me near and asked me if I wanted a drink of water. I said yes, and she stood up and went to the water cooler next to the bench. I had never seen a water cooler in my life, and was startled when the silence of the room was broken by the impoliteness of the water cooler’s “glug, glug”. My Aunt saw my response and smiled widely. I smiled back and then we both started laughing.
“Your grandfather would have found that very funny, too”, she said.
I think that I knew then that everything was going to be all right and that I could always carry the spirit of my grandfather in my heart. While the assembled crowds passed by his casket, my Aunt and I stayed in the private side room and played with the water cooler. I still like playing with water coolers and still smile every time they belch their response, and I am quite sure that my grandfather finds it amusing as well.
There was much discussion in the day or so after his death as to whether I would be allowed to travel to NY to attend his funeral. My parents and relatives understandably did not want to traumatize me, but I protested angrily and begged my parents to let me attend. They relented and agreed that I could go. I don’t remember much about the service beyond the crushing pain of losing my grandfather, but I do have one vivid memory that will remain with me forever - the “glug, glug” of a water cooler.
I was allowed to attend the viewing in addition to the service, and probably like many people would, found it extremely traumatic to see my grandfather lying in a casket. Upon seeing him, tears rolled hotly down my cheeks and I felt nauseous. After passing by his casket I was delirious with sadness. Noticing this, a funeral parlor attendant guided me into a private waiting room and I sat heavily on a padded bench sobbing. My Aunt soon came in and sat next to me. Putting her arm around me, she drew me near and asked me if I wanted a drink of water. I said yes, and she stood up and went to the water cooler next to the bench. I had never seen a water cooler in my life, and was startled when the silence of the room was broken by the impoliteness of the water cooler’s “glug, glug”. My Aunt saw my response and smiled widely. I smiled back and then we both started laughing.
“Your grandfather would have found that very funny, too”, she said.
I think that I knew then that everything was going to be all right and that I could always carry the spirit of my grandfather in my heart. While the assembled crowds passed by his casket, my Aunt and I stayed in the private side room and played with the water cooler. I still like playing with water coolers and still smile every time they belch their response, and I am quite sure that my grandfather finds it amusing as well.