Growing was once fun. Time started flying when I hit middle school and the junior high. I stopped doing some things I use to do because I got so busy. I was so close to my Grandpa growing up and as time went by I stopped spending as much time with him as I once did.

I was so caught up in the fun I was having, you know... Growing up. I always thought life was so harmless. Considering I haven't dealt with much trouble or any deaths in my family. On the day of June 26th, 2010 that all changed. I got a phone call from my mother early that morning, she said "Your Grandpa's in the hospital, try not to worry too much." When my mother said don't worry to much, i knew how she said it, that i should worry. It was all in her voice I remember dropping the tv remote and I started thinking about every single memory I've ever had with my grandma. It crossed my mind that he might not ever come back. I may never see him again. You never know what you have til it's gone right? Well at this point I wasn't sure. I was a rookie in this business of losing people.

To be honest, at first I was super scared I was going to lose him that day. After awhile I believed my grandma would push through like he always had. I was just so angry at myself for not spending as much time as I should have with him the last few months. I didn't know what to do with myself. Sitting around wondering what would happen next. I promised myself that day if he made it through I would be a better grandson.

I received another call from my mother later that day. She said "Andrew, I'm sorry to tell you that your grandpa has past away." I hung up the phone instantly and I stood up and throw the remote across the room and I just got so angry. I began to think about everything. It occurred to me that I took my grandpa for granted the last few months of his life. Now I realized what my seniors told me when we lost in the playoffs in basketball, "don't take basketball for granted because this feeling is terrible." This reminded me of my grandpa and it did feel terrible. I promised myself that day thought I would stop taking basketball for granted in memory of my grandpa. Since that day I've worked so hard and not have taken one day for granted because you never know when it's gone. Every time I step onto the floor I think of him and play like it's my last time because it very well could be.