Martin's Medicine Bag and Grandpa

“No way! That is so cool!” Martin's friends said in an exciting voice. It was a wonderful day for me, Martin, Cheryl, and his friends to hang out at the soccer field. On our way there, Martin tells us stories about his grandpa, well also my grandpa. Grandpa lives so far away from us, he is a part of the Lakota Indian tribe of South, Dakota. Martin always tells his friends so many stories about grandpa. His friends find it’s so interesting, but they never know those stories Martin made up are not real. The stories Martin made up are so real and interesting. If I wasn’t his cousin, I wouldn't be able to tell if they were real or not either.

Until one day, things started to get out of Martin's control.

“I think we should come to visit Martin grandpa once,” Jason, Martin's friends said.

“I agree with Jason, I really want to see Martin grandpa.” Alex, another one of Martin's friends agrees.

“I don’t think we can though.” Martin quickly responds.

At this point, I can already tell that Martin is so nervous. I can see his lips is slightly shaking. I know that he was afraid to let his friends meet his grandpa. He does not want his friends to know that the stories he told are not real.

“Let’s discuss this later, I want to play soccer.” I quickly said hoping I could help Martin get away with this for now.

“Yes. Let’s discuss this later.” Martin and Cheryl said.

Then we started playing soccer for a whole hour. We split up into two teams to play against each other. I, Cheryl, and Alex were on a team. Martin and the rest of his friends were on the same team. Even though my team did not win the game, we still have a lot of fun. Then we started to talk for a while until I pick my head up and saw something shocking. Grandpa was standing there looking for something. I could not believe my eyes. I quickly touch Martin's elbow and look straight at the direction grandpa was standing.

Martin started to look at me, then where turn his head slightly to where I’m looking at. I can tell right the way that Martin is extremely nervous. I know that he doesn’t want his friends to meet grandpa. I quickly look back at Martin's friends and said.

“Let’s go home and eat.” Hoping we could leave before grandpa sees us, but it was too late.

I see a shadow getting closer and closer. Soon, I can see his shadow right in front of me. Without a doubt, I know that it is grandpa. I can’t believe it.

“Grandpa leaves so far away from us though,” I thought to myself

Then I started to look at Martin and find out he’s even more nervous. I can see that he just wants to run away. Then, I heard a deep, shaky voice said.

“Nice to see you again, Martin, Cheryl, Mia.” He said slowly putting his hand out to gives hugs.

“Yes grandpa, I miss you so much,” Cheryl said hugging grandpa.

“Long time no see.” Grandpa turns to me and slowly said.

I then tried to control my surprise and stand up to greet him.

“Yes, long time no see, grandpa,” I said as I hug him.

Then it’s finally Martin's turn to greet grandpa. However, Martin didn’t hug grandpa. He decided to give grandpa a handshake instead.

“Long time no see.” Said grandpa as he shakes Martin's hand.

“Yes, long time no see,” Martin said as he takes his hand and away from grandpa shaky hand.

After we greet grandpa, we start walking grandpa to Martin's house. On our way to Martin's house, Martin's friends ask grandpa so many things. They were so excited that they finally get to see grandpa for the first time. While Martin friends talk to grandpa, I slightly turn my head to look at Martin, I can clearly tell how nervous Martin was. He was so afraid that grandpa would make him embarrassed. He was afraid that his friends would find out that grandpa isn’t that cool like how Martin tell them.

“Can you tell us some stories about being in the tribe? Alex asked.

“Of course.” Grandpa reply. As we listen to the story, I notice Martin's friends were looking at me, Martin and Cheryl. I know exactly what they are thinking. Suddenly, Martin's friends all stopped walking.

“What happens?” Grandpa asked.

“Martin, why did you lie to us about your grandpa? Why?” Alex turn toward Martin and asked.

“I... I didn’t mean to lie to you guys.” Martin tried to explain.

“You also know about this right, Mia? You know those stories aren’t real right?” Alex asked me.

“I... Yes, I know the stories aren’t real. I know Martin exaggerated it.” I said.

“Why would you lie to us like that?” Says Alex.

“Sorry guys, I really didn’t mean to. I just didn’t want you guys to know that I wasn’t that cool like how you guys expected.” Martin explains sorrowfully.

“Well, nothing is wrong with being not cool. You don’t have to lie about it,” Jason said.

“I agree with Jason,” Said Alex.

Then Martin's friends said thank you to grandpa and went home on their own. I then tap Martin's shoulder and said.

“It’s going to be fine. We will apologize tomorrow.” I tried to cheer him up.

After that, I, Martin Cheryl, and grandpa continue our way home. Once we got to Martin's house, we found Martin's mom sitting on the couch. I greet Martin's mom then we all sit and talk. It turns out that grandpa wants to come to visit because he knows he is very weak. A few minutes later, grandpa said he wanted to rest. As he stood up, his coat slipped right off, and we can clearly see his skinny body under. Then he collapsed.

“Grandpa, grandpa,” Cheryl said repeatedly in a worried voice.

Then Martin's mom quickly brings grandpa to his room and said.

“Martin, you take care of grandpa and I will get the doctor.” Martin's mom slowly.

The doctor soon arrived. The doctor said everything was fine. Grandpa fainted because he was very weak. After the doctor leaves, Martin and I begin to remove grandpa boots. The boots were so tight that it takes me and Martin a while to remove.

The next day finally begins. Me, Martin, Cheryl, and Martin's mom went to check on grandpa and see him sitting up straight in his bed looking at us.

“We need to talk.” Said grandpa as he takes out a pouch from his pocket.

“This is called a medicine bag. I’ve kept it for a while now and now it is your turn to keep it.” Grandpa stand up in front of Martin and said.

Martin froze for a minute then look at the pouch in grandpa's hands.

“Me?” Martin asked.

“Yes, you,” Grandpa said as he passes the bags onto Martin.

“Keep it safe somewhere. Once you are ready, you must replace the sacred sage.” Grandpa continued.

“Thank you, grandpa,” Martin said softly then left with the bag in his hands.

The next day has finally come. I woke up knowing that grandpa passes away last night. I was so shocked when I heard that news. Martin's mom said she found out he is no longer breathing when she came to his room this morning. I quickly ran to grandpa's room and saw Martin and Cheryl were standing there.

Two weeks later, I decided to bring Martin and Cheryl to the soccer field to cheer them up a little and they agreed with me. All three of us went to the park and surprisingly we saw Martin's friends there. They started to head toward us.

“Hey Martin, were sorry, we didn’t listen to you explain that day,” Alex said.

“Yeah, the stories you and your grandpa told were both very interesting,” said Jason.

“It’s ok guys. I’m also sorry for lying to you guys, too.” Martin replied.

“Why do you still look so sad, Martin?” Alex asked.

“Well, grandpa passes away two weeks ago,” I replied for Martin.

“We are sorry for your loss, Martin,” Jason said.

“Thank you, guys” Martin replied with a smile on his face.

After that, we started to talk for a little longer. Martin tells us about the medicine bag.

“Well, at least he still leaves you something for memory,” Alex said.

After all, things begin to get back to normal as if nothing has ever happened. However, grandpa is still always in our hearts. He was the best grandpa and the best person in the world.