I got Grampa's stopwatch.
I don't want his stopwatch.
I want him.
Grampa used to time
everything. He timed me
when I raced to the end of
our street and back. Best
speed: 24 seconds."
First person narrative brings this story up close and personal for readers. The sadness is evident. The stopwatch is fine, but Grampa holding it would be much better. The two spent many hours together: enjoying ice cream, sitting together in the park watching caterpillars, eating cookies, snoring while snoozing. Grampa timed everything they did; he made it all more fun. Why didn't he just take his stopwatch? How could he leave it behind?
There is anger, hurt, and a strong sense of loss as the child deals with death. Grampa's watch is thrown in a drawer. Nothing seems quite the same without him. So many memories come flooding back as the grandchild mourns the loss of a beloved companion. Then the lonely days pass, as do the seasons. When the stopwatch is finally retrieved from the drawer, it offers fond memories and a chance to follow in Grampa's footsteps.
"The watch sounds like Grampa. It makes me think of
all the things we used to time together. Remembering
him feels good.
Tick ... tick ... tick ...
Like he is still here with me."
Isn't that the best thing about mementos? They offer happy reminders of times spent together, and keep the loved one always in the heart.
Carmen Mok uses gouache and graphite to create lovely backgrounds that will appeal to readers. Expressive faces exhibit the emotions felt throughout the telling. Exploring the grief through time allows readers to see that wonderful memories surface and keep loved ones always near.
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