When we were all getting ready to leave, I walked up to my grandfather and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. He wiped my lip print off with his palm and gave me a look. He doesn't like the boys in the family to touch him. But I'm very glad that I did it anyway in case he dies. I never got to do that with my Aunt Helen.

It is important to say "sir" at these moments. And if they ever call you by your first-middle-last name, you better watch out. I'm telling you.

And even if she says no, and really means yes, then quite frankly she's playing games and isn't worth the price of dinner.

So, I heard you're this ninja or something.

They just knew. And I think that's all you can ever ask from a friend.

Five minutes of a lifetime were truly spent, and we felt young in a good way.

I wasn't raised very religiously because my parents went to Catholic school, but I do believe in God very much. I just never gave God a name, if you know what I mean. I hope I haven't let Him down regardless.