I saw Grandpa sitting alone on an old seat under a canopy of oak trees as I walked through the park on a quiet afternoon. He was playing chess by himself, which drew my attention. I couldn’t help but wonder who he was playing with because the pieces on both sides of the board were in play.
He grinned and said he was playing with Grandma when I asked him. He brought out a fading picture that was hidden under the queen on the other side of the board. I knew it was a picture from years ago. There was a checkerboard between them in the picture, and they were laughing in their kitchen.
Grandpa moved one of Grandma’s pieces slowly and gently, just like she may have done it. It was evident that he wasn’t just playing a game. He was holding on to her, the memories, and the way they did things together. There was a lot of silence between us, and I didn’t want to disturb it.
At that moment, something changed in me. I realized how deep love could be, how memories could still be alive, and how rituals could keep a relationship’s essence alive. It wasn’t just about chess; it was about being loyal, making connections, and having a passion that never fades.
As I sat next to Grandpa, I felt a subtle reminder bloom: to hold close the people we love, to treasure the simple things that tie us together, and to never underestimate the significance of showing up, even when someone’s gone. Love may last, not in big gestures, but in small things like playing games, sitting on a park bench, or sitting under an oak tree.
That moment broke me in the best manner conceivable. It opened something in me that I didn’t know was closed. It made me think about how important it is to hold on to the love we share with others and remember the good times we’ve had. Grandpa and Grandma’s game of chess together was a great example of how strong love and connection can be.
