Thinking back to when my grandpa, a veteran, passed away feels like trying to recall a hazy dream. It's as if I moved through each day on autopilot, with tasks blending together into a blur of routine. The motions of waking up, getting dressed, making breakfast, and making phone calls all seem like distant echoes now. The overwhelming sense of deep sadness had cast a shadow, clouding my memory of those days.

One afternoon, I found myself needing to buy more groceries to feed the extra mouths at home. As I hurried through the aisles of Price Chopper in Montrose, my mind felt foggy and disconnected, despite holding a list in my hand. It was a surreal experience, like being lost in a maze with no way out.

Standing in front of the milk display, struggling to remember which type of milk to buy, a stranger approached me with something in his hand. His gentle smile offered a brief moment of connection in my emotional turmoil. He quietly said, "I don't know why, but I feel like you need this and I want to give it to you."

Taking the object from his hand, I saw that it was a VFW Buddy Poppy flower. The simple gesture of kindness struck a chord within me, and I fought back tears as gratitude washed over me. With a heartfelt thank you, I hastily grabbed the nearest jug of milk, paid for my groceries, and headed to my car where I finally allowed myself to release the pent-up emotions, letting tears flow freely.

In that brief encounter, a stranger's unexpected act of compassion had pierced through the numbness I had been cloaked in. It reminded me of the beauty found in human connection, even in moments of deep sorrow. And though the week may remain a foggy memory, that fleeting gesture of empathy will always stand out as a beacon of light in the darkness.

My grandfather passed away on November 1, 2020, and it was an incredibly devastating loss for me. He had been not only a father figure in my life but also one of my closest companions. My siblings and I lovingly referred to him as Poppy, and as we grew older, this affectionate nickname became shortened to Pop. He was not just a grandfather, but a cherished friend and confidant, and his passing left an immense void in my life.

The stranger who handed me the poppy couldn't have known that my dear Poppy had recently passed away, or that he had served as a veteran. I want to express my gratitude to this kind stranger who generously gave me his Buddy Poppy on a whim, trusting his instinct even though it may have seemed strange. Your spontaneous act of kindness, guided by your heart, deeply touched mine and allowed me to release pent-up emotions I had been suppressing. After shedding tears, my heart felt significantly lighter. Thank you for your compassion.

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If you don't know about the VFW Buddy Poppy program, it's a pretty great one. The VFW Buddy Poppy program helps to provide financial assistance to veterans who help to put the poppies together, helps to maintain state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs, and also helps some with the VFW National Home For Children. You can learn more about the initiative here.

LOOK: 100 years of American military history

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