It was three weeks after my grandfather had entered the hospital. Big Mama called me into her bedroom and I sat down on the bed.

“Reggie,” she said, “Your grandfather is in a better place. He’s with Daddy James in Heaven. He suffered while he was in the hospital and he’s not going to have to suffer anymore. Reggie, we have all cried; now it time for us to rejoice and feel blessed that he was in our lives.”

She continued, “Reggie, your grandfather told me to let you know that he loved you and that he wanted you to make him proud of you. Reggie, you are now the man of the house. He wanted you to have his gold watch.”

Big Mama then went to her dresser drawer, pulled out a case, and gave it to me. I opened the case and inside was the most beautiful watch that I have ever seen.

         It was a 14k solid gold Elgin watch. The back was engraved with the name “SHAWN MANCHESTER.” My middle name was Shawn.

I was named after my grandfather.

My grandmother then took the watch back and said, “When you turn 21, you can have your grandfather’s watch.”

Then she kissed me and gave me a big hug.

A week later, my grandfather was laid to rest. At that time, he had one of the biggest funerals in Flint , Michigan . My grandfather, Shawn Fred Manchester was well loved.

I had always told myself, and even now I think to myself that if I live to be half the man my grandfather was, I will have achieved much.

After my grandfather died, my grandmother shared with me that I was the man of the house, the meaning of which was completely different from what I thought the man of the house should be.

I was man of the house in words only.

My grandfather was still the man of the house; if not in body, then in spirit, which was always around.

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