Yesterday evening, I received a special TwilightGuy story. Out of the hundreds I have been sent, this is the most touching I have read. I promise– it deserves to be read to the end:
I’m a 79 year old, happily married for 58 years to my beautiful wife, Sarah; father of two beautiful girls, and grandfather of four boys and one girl, and I’m now called Twi-Grandpappy. Now I’m very tech challenged, don’t have an email, so my 19 year old granddaughter is letting me use hers so I can tell you about my Twilight Tale.
I’ve worked at the same company for 50 years. Most of the women in the office are nosy and near my daughters’ ages. Except four weeks ago we brought in a new girl who happens to be 19 (the youngest in the office). She happens to be the daughter of one of the sub’s and very well behaved. Everyday, she came in on time, and left when she was done with her work. She didn’t talk much but she did listen to her little MP3 thing. We sometimes could hear whatever she was listening to, if the office was quiet- but it never seems to be that. Now I was curious as to what she would mouth and I caught “Edward,” “Bella,” and “Jacob” at times. So at lunch I asked her. She actually smiled and said “Twilight by Stephenie Meyer”. Still being curious, I wanted to listen.
So every day, during our lunch, she would put the story on her MP3 speaker (don’t ask me how) and we would listen a chapter every day.
I was hooked at the first chapter, interested. My lunch partner and I would talk about the chapters and Twilight everyday. We were known as the Twilight Lunch Buddies.
Now my story turns sad.
Everyday she would come in, remember? Well one day, she stopped coming. Her father didn’t come in either and I was worried. Then when I finally saw her father, on Monday on my way home, I saw the grief in his eyes. Marie, my buddy, passed away on Friday the 13th.
My lunch buddy was visiting a friend of hers from High School, one she hasn’t seen in nearly a year. They were going to the Mall on Thursday, to buy a gift for my retirement party that was to happen on June 20th, when she was hit by a car. She died on the operating table, trying to restart her heart.
I am always going to miss her, but I shall always carry one thing from her. Her father earlier today came and gave me a little box. “She wanted to give you this,” he said.
Inside was her own battered copy of Twilight with a little note in the side:
“Jimmy-Jim, I sadly had to return Twilight back to the library so I no longer have it but I thought you would love to read this after work. We could talk about what you read the next day at lunch.Much Love, Marie.
PS- ask your grand-daughter to check out this site for you. He’s funny, like a younger version of you.”
And she gave me your website. I read the entry for today, the 17th, and wanted to give you my tale of how I became known as the Twi-Grandpappy.
Jimmy
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Added 1:06 AM: I hope nobody is upset with me posting this. I know, it is sad, when the rest of this site is all happy. But I felt it was best that you knew his story. It was the least I could do, since he sent it to me.
191 Responses
Oh my gosh! That is so touching and sad! But it is a beautiful story in all….Twi-grandpappy you rock!
Wow, that was really… wow. Um, I don’t know what to say, but that was a really sad, but touching story. It’s incredible. The fanbase is so diverse. Twi-grandpappy? Um… wow. I wish I could hug him. Amazing story. Once again, WOW.
wow… what a touching story! thanks for sharing it with us twi-grandpappy. i am so sorry for your loss.
That is so sad and unfortunate, I think we should find a way to let twi-grandpappy know that it’s alot of us thinking of Marie and him. Got any ideas?
I’m very sorry for your loss. I give my best regards.
oh that was so sad!poor guy!oh i feel so bad for the family they must be heart broken!
That’s so sad. I’m sitting here typing through my tears… I’m so sorry for your loss, Jimmy.
That was one of the saddest things I’ve ever read.
I hope nobody is upset with me for posting this. I know, it is sad, when the rest of this site is all happy. But I felt it was best that you knew his story. It was the least I could do, since he sent it to me.
–K
wow, that story is really sad. Twi-grandpappy, I would give you a hug right now if I could.
That was such a sad, but touching story. Wow. Thanks for sharing with us, Twi-grandpappy. We’re very sorry for your loss.
Kaleb, nobody hates you, quite the contraire I believe this show how mature and sensible you are. The site is a well rounded, that this beautiful yet sad story feels right at home.
That is such a sweet story. I hope that Twi-Grandpappy’s granddaughter will relay our comments to him. To Twi-Grandpappy: I hope that you’ll enjoy reading Twilight, and my condolences to you and Marie’s family.
Kaleb, I loved reading this – thank you for posting it!
Wow. I have no words. This seems so unreal that it seems made up, but it isn’t. That was really, really sad! I agree with Melonie, this was one of the saddest things ever. I want to give you a big hug, Twi-grandpappy! Wow.
That was an amazingly powerful story. Thank you so much for sharing.
wow, it must be staggering to find out how significant your blog is to someone. I think it’s good that you posted it :/
NO!
We don’t hate you!
Well… at least I don’t.
That was very kind and thoughtful for posting it… It’s nice to see Twilight in that perspective, you know joining together an unlikely friendship.
I think it’s very nice what you did.
Thanks Kaleb.
Wow. Don’t think for a minute anyone is mad at you, this story is amazing. Thank you for posting it and most importantly thank you twi-grandpappy for sending in to be read.
wow! i can’t believe i’m in tears…
that was a really touching, i’ll definnitely remember that story…
thak you for sharing such a sad yet wonderful story!
oh my God 🙁
i don’t know what to say…
i really appreciate this story.
my condolence to Marie’s family and may she rest in peace…
Thanks for sharing this Twi-Grandpappy and Kaleb.
What a touching story. It’s so sad to hear that Marie is gone, but so sweet that she left her copy of Twilight to her buddy to enjoy.
Kaleb-We don’t hate you judging by the comments you’ve got here, I think that you posting it on your site shows that you are more mature than most boys and to Twi-grandpappy I’m sorry for your loss the story has touched my heart, may she rest in peace
This is one of the saddest stories i’ve ever read… im sat here typing with tears still running.
I just really want to give Twi-grandpappy a hug right now…
It truly was a touching story, and it was lovely that Jimmy and Marie gained a wonderful friendship through Twilight… this book is so amazing, and the fandom is so wonderful and so diverse.
This story really has touched my heart, and i hope Marie is happy, wherever she may be…
Oh wow. Yes, that’s quite sad. Kaleb, don’t worry. We don’t hate you for posting this. I think every once in a while we need to be grounded with a sad story, because life has sad stories. Therefore, thank you for sharing this with us, both Kaleb and Jim. Marie and Jim, and their families, will be in my prayers. *hugs*
Aww…that’s so sad…But at the same time, it’s so touching. I just love how one book can bring people together like that.
…Crap, I think I’m crying now…
That’s… sad. There’s no other word for it. And yet, it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. Best wishes, Twi-Grandpappy.
Wow. I’m speechless… there’s nothing I can add to what everyone else is saying.
No reason to be mad here, that’s an excellent story.
Wow, that’s really sad =/ But I’m glad you posted it Kaleb! No one can be mad at you for posting that…
oh, that is sad, but sweet. I love hearing any kind of twilight-related story. Thank you for sharing that with us.
What a beautiful, bittersweet story. :’-( Thanks for sharing, Kaleb.
I’m glad you posted this, Kaleb. I’ll keep Marie and Jim in my prayers. So sad!
*cries* This story is so sad. Why is life such a bitch? I’m sorry for your loss Twi-Grandpappy. May Marie rest in peace. Poor girl. She didn’t even get to see the movie… I really want to kick the butt of the guy who hit her with the car… 🙁
My best regards to Jimmy and Marie’s family.
Why do you make me cry at work????
Gah!
Now I need to go wash my face and act like nothing happend.
gosh…no words to describe about his story. it’s truly amazing how twilight can actually bridge a young girl and a grandpa. so sad for the loss. i am not upset, but on the contrary i am quite happy that you get to share this story to everybody. that Twilight is not just Twilight, that it transcends age. Thank you Kaleb for sharing this and best regards to Jimmy, and bless Marie and her Family.
PS: can i share this story to my friends? i’ll put a disclaimer that this is from your site. ^_^
wow…. that is just… so wow. It’s so sad, but at the same time it’s one of those ones that can make you happy too…. seeing how a book of all things could bridge a generation gap, and bring two unlikely people together. It’s so sweet, and i am so sorry for both Marie’s family’s loss and Jimmy’s. It is so terrible when someone loses their life so young.
I’m not one for finding stories sad but I almost cried while reading this. I find it great the Jimmy fell in love with Twilight however the loss of his co-worker is truly heartbreaking.
Wow….I cried while I read this.
Jimmy if you read the comments, I’m really sorry. I’m sure Marie must have been a wonderful friend.
Oh my God. That’s really an amazing story. My heart goes out to Marie and her family, and I find it amazing that Jimmy would honor her like this. Wow. Amazing.
Wow… no, thanks for posting it, Kaleb. You’ve got me crying, but I’m glad I read it anyway.
That is so sad, but so happy at the same time! *cires her face off*(seriously).
Thanks for posting that Kaleb. It made me cry but it’s an amazing story. It’s wonderful that they both found a friend through Twilight. That the book was able to bridge the generation gap. A big hug for Jimmy the Twi-Grandpappy from all of us in the Twilight world. Thank you for sharing your story and we’re sorry for your loss.
That was very touching. No one should be mad about you posting it, as this is a fandom of romantics at heart, so we are all aware of the importance of bittersweet stories. Thank you for sharing and thanks to Twi-grandpappy for sharing.
Wow, what a touching story!!! It’s sad but I love it!
wow. this was defenitly worth putting on the site, even though it was sad.
Thank you for posting that Kaleb. I think that it is a good reminder how short life can be and that we should live everyday to the fullest. And to Twi-grandpappy my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I feel inspired by this. I love that the things we attach ourselves to- books, songs, movies- make a little web of common bonds. I feel less lonely when I think “someone else loves this, too”.
I hope he gets to read them all, including Breaking Dawn- even if his friend never got the chance.
so sad but so sweet.
Wow… That’s really touching…
I’m sorry for that.
Wow… That’s really touching… 🙁