By: Adil Rashid
Our world may lose a true champion- my grandfather (Abaa Ji). As I stand at his deathbed, the memories flood back – memories of a man who was once my hero.
I owe everything I am today to my grandfather. When I was 18, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, an illness that eats away at both the mind and body. But until then, in his late 60s and 70s, there was nothing he couldn’t do. My grandfather was fit, active, and strong. He was a man of many talents, a jack of all trades.
As an Airforce employee, he was knowledgeable, handy, and could fix anything, even if it wasn’t broken. I looked up to him, and he became my hero. He climbed mountains, went to the gym every day, and lived life to the fullest.
But then Parkinson’s struck, and my grandfather started to fade away before my eyes. The disease took away his strength, his memory, and his will to live. Walking became difficult, and he lost his balance. He became confused, and couldn’t remember dates, times, and people, not even his own family. He sank into depression, and his once vibrant spirit was slowly destroyed.
I watched my hero fall, and it was heartbreaking. But even then, he had moments of humor and kindness that inspired me to keep going. He loved his sweets, and even when he couldn’t do anything else, he savored every bite of his chocolate. He would always remember that I was there to pick him up if he fell, no matter what.
Now, his condition has worsened, and his death seems imminent. I pray that Allah forgives him and grants him his mercy. My grandfather was a good man, and he deserves nothing but the best.
Through his suffering, I have realized how lucky I was to have him in my life. He was healthier, smarter, and more loving than most grandfathers. He rode the Tower of Terror with me at Disney World when he was in his 70s – something most people wouldn’t dare to do.
I hope that one day, there will be a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. It’s a disease that affects not just my family, but many others worldwide. We need to stop its spread and the heartbreak it causes.
My grandfather may be leaving us soon, but he will always be my hero. And I will always cherish the memories of the man he once was.
I pray to Allah O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him and cause his entrance to be wide and wash him with water and snow and hail. Cleanse him of his transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains. Give him an abode better than his home, and a family better than his family and a wife better than his wife. Take him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave and from the punishment of Hell-fire.
Author is a researcher. He can be mailed at aadilrasheed545@gmail.com
