My Guardian Angel

How scary must it be to hear the word cancer? Mr. Murphy was not my blood relative, but as the years went by and as we grew closer, he became my “adopted” grandfather. He was a cancer victim, and this is my story about my journey with Mr. Murphy.

            Like us, the Murphy’s had no family living in town, so they adopted both my brother and me as their grandchildren, and we adopted them as grandparents.

            Every Sunday after church we would go to their house to eat lunch. Mr. Murphy always had a prank to make me laugh. A few years back on my birthday, Mr. Murphy gave me my present that was very nicely wrapped up. As I tear off the wrapper I see a box to a digital camera. I really wanted a digital camera that year. Thrilled, I rushed to open the box expecting to see a brand new camera. When I finally get the box opened I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was no brand new digital camera, however there was a Ziploc bag filled with cow manure. From this, I learned to not be so materialistic.

On May 20, 2007, he was diagnosed with liver cancer. I saw him only once before he closed his eyes for the last time. He was in bed, had lost weight and was very tired, but even then he still had his wit. Mr. Murphy was notorious for dirty jokes. I remember walking into the room where he was to say goodbye but he signals me to leave the room as my mom walks in. To this day I don’t know what he told her, but it sure did make my mom laugh. Even on his deathbed he had people in stitches.

On July 10, 2007 at the age of 81, he took his last breath. Mr. Murphy taught me to respect and appreciate older people, especially my grandparents. When I visit my grandparents I help them shred papers, make atole, accompany them to the post office, or work out math problems. I realize that my time with them is also limited.

 Mr. Murphy left me with an infinite amount of happy memories. He lived such an admirable life and helped instill life-long qualities in me that will shape me into an adult with a sense of humor, who is not materialistic, appreciates nature and respects the elderly.