To never forget you

You would have turned 32 today. And this day, which should have been a day of celebration, is just another day for me to remember...
You were my second grandchild, but my first grandson.
Born one year minus two days after your cousin, I still hoped that you, at least, would be a Gemini, like your dad or like your grandma. But no! Against the obstetrician's prognosis, who had examined your mom on the same day and predicted you wouldn't arrive for another ten days, you defied the predictions and came well ahead of time. Yet, you wouldn't keep up that habit! That was probably one of the few times you would be so early!!!
Alright, so I ended up with a second Taurus, with an adorable round face, topped with a little blond fuzz, and big blue eyes.
Right away, you brought happiness to your mom and dad, both adoring the little marvel they had created!
You were a calm and easy child, even though you would sometimes throw a tantrum!
You also brought joy to me and to your grandfather during the vacations you spent with us, along with your cousin.
You weren't even six years old when your mom told you that you were going to have two little sisters.
You were mad at her because you wanted little brothers, not sisters!! And I had to explain to you that if they weren't boys, it wasn't her fault but rather your dad's for not planting the right seeds. So, you asked your dad to plant boy seeds next time!!
Yet, you loved your little sisters! You were their protector, a real father figure!!
I remember the surprise of my friends one day when we went to a party with them, seeing how attentively you cared for their needs and well-being. You never took your eyes off them and you upheld your role as the big brother the whole time.
Of course, you would sometimes quarrel with each other, but woe to anyone who wanted to intervene! Immediately, you would unite and defend each other.
I recall those vacations, the three of you along with your cousins, and the children of your aunt's friends – it was like a summer camp at home! And your grandfather would turn into a kid again with you, involving you in mischief and undermining whatever authority I tried to establish!
As soon as you were old enough, you were always ready to come and help me with DIY projects, even though you would often get lost in your thoughts and I had to call you back to my side.
You were there to support me when I wanted to install a paneling in my room and your grandfather was too sick to do it. You were also present when I renovated the dining room and living room, and every time I asked for your help.
You were always there, warm, smiling, joking, sometimes lost in your thoughts, but always with that mischievous twinkle in your eyes.
Later, you would sometimes call me to discuss the comparative merits of one whisky or another, or for other trivial reasons. You would tell me how it surprised your friends that you would call your grandmother for this kind of thing, and that amused us...
You introduced me to singers I would have never listened to without you, like Orelsan or others whose lyrics seemed likely to interest me.
Thanks to you, I got to discover various flavored teas that you would give me on every occasion you could. In fact, last Saturday, I found one among other things in a store that you had already given me. I can continue to enjoy it with you.
When I started painting, you threw me challenges, asking me to create paintings that I sometimes found quite ugly, like Halo or Darth Vader in the style of Andy Warhol... And I took up those challenges!
You took a mischievous pleasure in competing with your cousin, to see who could make me spend the most time on a painting.
Then came Mélanie, who also appreciated my works.
So, you both asked me to paint 'The Wave' by Hokusai, but you wanted it big, 100x150.
I had to order the canvas; I didn't have that size in stock!
Since it's a very complex subject that scared me a little, I promised you I would do it, but not right away. And you replied that it wasn't a big deal, that you weren't in a hurry, that I had time...
If only we had known, no, we didn't have time...
Then there was that horrible Tuesday morning, when I came out of my Physiotherapist's office and found a message from my sister telling me she shared my grief, knowing what had happened to you. Since I wasn't aware of anything, I tried to call you. You didn't answer, but it didn't particularly disturb me, I thought you were at work.
Until I learned the horrific truth: you had a road accident.
A young delinquent, a repeat offender, a drug addict, had killed you and got away without a scratch! How could such an injustice take place??
Why you, why not him?

It took me some time, but I did it anyway, that painting you asked me for. For you. For Mélanie.
It took me several weeks. Rest assured, you're the winner: I will probably never spend as many hours on another canvas as I did on 'The Wave'. I titled that painting Mélanthony, I know you understand.
It wasn't always easy, but while making it, I felt close to you, I talked to you, and I imagined what you would reply with your teasing look and your half smile...
The smile I tried to immortalize by painting your portrait, so I never forget it.
Of course, I have other grandchildren. But each of you has a special place in my heart. Yours will remain forever vacant.
In a week, I will undergo surgery, and you're no longer here to tell me, 'Just so you know, grandma, you better not die, if you die, I'll kill you!!' as you used to whenever I had major health issues. But I hear you, and I know that somewhere, with your grandfather, you think of me and protect me.
So, despite your absence, I wish you a happy birthday, my dear.

Your grandma who loves you and will never forget you.