When I was younger, I didn't have a lot of friends, and nobody really wanted to play with me. But my grandpa was always there for me. I was always his little girl. We did everything together, but our favorite thing to do was to sing together. He would play his guitar, and we would get lost in those beautiful verses.
I loved hearing him play his guitar. He also loved it very much, so he always had a smile on his face while and listening to me singing. Watching him smile was the best view I have ever seen. But that was not the only thing we enjoyed doing together. We would play in the park almost every day, we were always joking around. I loved swinging, so he pushed me on the swing until I felt like I was flying. Sometimes he would even buy us ice cream before going home, so that we could enjoy our time together a little longer. We also loved to go fishing together. We always had a competition about who would catch a bigger fish, and I knew that he would always let me win, but for me, it was still tense. Sometimes, before going home, we would watch the sunset on the boat, while talking about our dreams. He was the only person who knew that my dream was to become a singer. Sometimes I think about how that was the reason why he always sang with me; because he always believed that I could become whatever I wanted. We even went camping once, but we got stuck in the storm. I was so scared and he was the only person who managed to calm me down. He was my hero, and the person I wanted to become. I also had nightmares all the time at that age and I never wanted to go to sleep because of how scared I was. But grandpa taught me how to be strong and independent at such a young age. He always knew how to make me laugh even when I was sad or scared. We always had the dumbest jokes to tell, but I think that is what made them so funny. Everything was perfect for both of us or that was just what I thought. Because, suddenly, his pushing my swing was getting weaker by day. His body was hurting from trying to play the guitar for me. His smile was fading away... And that's when I found out that he got sick and needed to stay in the hospital. I didn't think much of it because I was so young, but I remember thinking about why isn't smiling all the time anymore. He was the most cheerful person I knew and seeing him so worn down got me really scared. I went to visit him every single day. We would still talk about everything, especially my dreams. He always told me to follow my dreams no matter what and even if I didn't succeed, he would still be proud of me. One day while I was visiting him at the hospital, he told me that we need to have a serious talk. I got scared at first, I thought that something had happened or that he was mad at me, but what he told me changed my perspective of everything. Even though I was young he still taught me a lot of stuff, but this was different. He also told me to always follow my dreams, because no matter what happened next, he would still be proud of me, even if I didn't succeed in my dream of becoming a singer. He believed that I could become whatever I want. But something that caught me off guard was when he told me he loved my smile, even I though I didn't love it because my teeth were all crocked and uneven. He said it is the most perfect thing he saw. And that is when i realized that being perfect was not being pretty or anything like that. Nobody is perfect. It's the imperfections that make you look so beautiful. I didn't even know why he was telling me all this now, but for some reason I was really happy... Even though this time, while he talked to me, he sounded so serious. I promised him that I would make him proud one day and that I would never stop smiling because of someone's opinion about my smile or teeth. Because, my smile, even though it wasn't perfect, made me believe that I am beautiful. After he heard that he took my hand and held it tight. Tighter than anything I ever felt before. But I felt so calm. He said good night and smiles at me. His smile was so pure, I've never seen him happier. And I was also happy, because I finally made him smile again, even in his bad condition. I went home that night thinking about everything we talked about and everything he ever taught me. I came to conclusion that he is my best friend and that i didn't need anyone else... For the first time, in a very long time, I fell asleep peacefully. Throughout the night I didn't have a nightmare. I just dreamed about my grandpa. In the dream, we were watching the sunset on his boat, just like we always do. We were talking about how much he loves me and how he is never going to leave my side. The next morning, a short time after I woke up, my parents got a call from the hospital. It was about my grandpa. He passed away that night. When I heard the news, I was devastated. I didn't know what to do or how to act without him. I started sobbing the second my parents told me. That day i didn't go to school. I didn't even do anything, I just lay in bed and cried. For the next few days, I did not have the will to do anything. Nothing brought me joy anymore. I thought I was so stupid; I did not even realize that everything he told me last night was for a reason. He knew he would be gone by the morning, and that is why he told me all of these things... I was so sad and angry at myself. How didn't i realize that before? After a week, on one afternoon, I went to the coast nearby the place where we were always fishing. I was watching the sunset; it was prettier than any other sunset I saw before. I started thinking about everything me and grandpa did together... That is when I realized that he is still here with me, watching me from above, from heaven. He would not want me to be sad or angry at myself; to blame myself for everything. He still loved me, just from far away. Everything he ever taught me echoed in my head. I just missed being with him and having him by my side. He was the best person I have ever met. But I knew he was still so proud of how mature I have become in the past few days... I will always be so thankful for everything he did for me. He made me believe I was worth something. Even better than that, he made me believe that I am a beautiful person and how I need to believe in myself more; how strong and mature I am for my age. But the most important thing that he made me realize is that it's okay to be yourself... To show off my smile even if some people do not think it is nice. Because the only thing matters is that I think it is pretty. He taught me how to just be myself.
Now, after a few years, I am writing this. I still miss him so much. I realized nothing of that was my fault... Even if it still hurts not having him around I will always cherish our memories. He helped me become such a mature young woman. I finally succeeded in my dream. I sang in front of other people, in front of the whole crowd. Everyone clapped for me and hyped me up. I am so sad that he was not there to see me. But somewhere in that crowd I saw a really pretty smile, almost same as his. Maybe it was him, maybe it was just my imagination, but I am sure he is smiling at me from heaven. I wish I could tell him a lot of things, to catch up a little bit... I finally gained confidence. I found my first real friend. I almost found a boyfriend, but I realized that I am most definitely not ready for that yet. And the last thing i would love to tell him is how thankful I am. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. He truly was my best friend. He is my favorite person, even if he is not physically here. I know he is still proudly watching me. He always clapped so loud for me, that I never realized who didn't even clap. I am really happy that I finally told someone the whole story about us. About my best friend and I; and how his smile encouraged me to keep going, just so I could become a better version of myself.