Factory Film
This is how I remember you
One day, I got the call.
You were in the hospital.
It was stomach cancer.
You'd had surgery
and were being fed
via a tube.
But for some reason,
it never seemed that serious.
***
Your hospital was in
another state,
so I took a flight
to visit you.
Not because
you needed family,
but because I was having
a tough time
and needed family.
***
Everyone was in good spirits.
I'd bought a new laptop,
you joked about the
factory film
still being on.
It drove you nuts.
You begged me to remove
that plastic sheet.
***
We laughed some more.
But this was cancer, right?
Cancer is bad.
***
You were having
your bandages changed,
and we'd been asked to
leave the room.
I needed to catch
my flight home.
Time was dwindling.
I had to run.
Knocking on your door,
I poked my head in.
We had a rushed goodbye.
I said I'd see you later
and quickly left.
***
A few weeks later,
another call.
You were gone.
***
I still look back
in astonishment and anger.
Why wasn’t I expecting it?
Did everyone play this
awful situation down?
Why didn't I see it coming?
I'm still confused by how
you deteriorated so suddenly.
Your condition seemed to
just crumble away.
***
These days, whenever I buy
a new laptop,
I say,
“This one’s for you, Gran,”
as I tear that
factory film
away.
About the Creator
Sandy Gillman
I’m a mum to a toddler, just trying to get through the day. I like to write about the ups and downs of parenting. I’m not afraid to tell it like it is. I hope you’ll find something here to laugh, relate to, and maybe even learn from.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Keep reading
More stories from Sandy Gillman and writers in Poets and other communities.
'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan6 days ago in Beat
Comments (17)
I remember reading a version of it before. Congrats on winning runner-up, Sandy.
You captured the memory well… especially how typically that generation made light of their adversity and illnesses. Well deserved placing in the challenge!🤩
Grandmothers give us the best ! You will definitely won't forget her. She most be so proud of you. Your poetry of her has won you a runner up to a Challenge! Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐 🥳
Oh, my goodness, Sandy, I am terribly sorry for your loss. Your poem is a beautiful way to honor your Gran's memory, however, and you should be proud. Congratulations on your win❣👏🥳
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
So sad I am sorry for your loss like everyone says chin up love 🙏♦️💙♦️
Beautiful thoughts. My Dad’s cancer had a similar trajectory. I thought everything was going to be okay. And then it wasn’t. But I’m glad like you I had a chance to joke with him. ❤️
So sorry for your loss! You never know when that last goodbye is. I don't know how many tearful "last" goodbyes I gave my grandpa "just in case," but my actual one was just a casual "love you, see you later."
I agree with Julie...this is bittersweet. That sign of tearing tse Factory Film away--symbolic ode to Gran. Well said, Sandy.
Those precious memories are priceless!
Beautiful.
So very bittersweet. Losing anyone is tough, but when it happens quickly, it doesn't give you time to process. Lovely piece for the challenge. 💕
Beautiful and so very sad. Writing helps ease the pain a little.
So sorry ❤️ You just can't know with cancer. And when we are older we don't always have what it takes to fight it. ❤️
Have tears in my eyes sandy, i am really sorry to hear that .Lots of love and strength to you ,girl @Sandy Gillman
I'm so sorry for your loss 🥺 Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
💔 I'm sorry 4 your loss Sandy...