Dad stumbles upon a cardboard 'phone' his sons had made. The name scribbled on the screen has him fighting back tears
One simple drawing with 3 words brought memories, nostalgia, and grief, and it all echoes one sentiment — love.
Parts of our childhood don’t just include memories; they include subtle messages of love that we stored in our hearts. Be it writing our best friend’s name in a diary or a drawing of our favorite uncle, it shows how tight-knit the bond with their favorite person was.
A musician and dad named Ben Guidry shared a post on TikTok about how he learned who his children's preferred human is. Guidry was clearing things up when he discovered an old, cardboard-made phone that his kids used to play with. The already nostalgic moment became even more heart-melting when he spotted what was written on the inside.
@bonafidebenguidry we sure do miss my dad around here. Ive got sweet boys. We’re raising good kids. #missmydad #griefjourney #griefandloss #missyoudad #parents ♬ original sound - Ben Guidry
Guidry mentioned that he was cleaning things up when he came across the little toy his boys had made for themselves. It was a cardboard cutout of a phone. They created it to be exactly like an iPhone with a cover, a camera, the front template, and a screen. The dad was glad to see how his kids were creatively finding ways to play and learn, and it even brought a bit of nostalgia. However, there was one detail that broke his heart.
The dad noted that his children had also drawn on the screen to make it appear as if there was an incoming call. The screen read, “Incoming call… Papaw,” Guidry mentioned. The musician’s kids referred to Guidry's late dad and their grandfather as “Papaw.”
@bonafidebenguidry Been a long weekend. too many memories keep popping up. I wear that shirt 4 times a week sometimes. its bath time. #missmydad #mydad #myfather #missyoudad #griefandloss ♬ original sound - Ben Guidry
The man was instantly pushed to remember his late dad, who undoubtedly had precious memories and relationships with each of his kids and him. His voice shook as he said those words aloud because he felt that whole wave of grief hover over him again.
Once again, he missed having his man with him. In the background played “Be Still” by The Killers, a poignant song about life. The song also faintly mentions that one day we’ll be gone, so what matters is to live, to take it slow, and “be still.” Life will unfold the way it was meant to. “We sure do miss my dad around here,” Guidry said.
@bonafidebenguidry happy birthday dad. Thanks for gifting me good music. #missmydad #grieving #griefandloss #missingmydad #mydad ♬ original sound - Ben Guidry
Undoubtedly, out of all the people’s names they could scribble, the kids chose their grandpa, and it speaks to the close bond they shared with him. Only if heaven allowed a phone call!
In his previous videos, the dad has been sharing how he keeps his father’s memory alive. In one of Guidry's posts, he revealed that he has been holding on to one of his dad’s shirts. Wearing it while holding a picture of his late dad in the shirt, he couldn’t explain what a feeling it was.
In yet another clip, with tears in his eyes, he expressed his gratitude for his father having shared his music taste with him. As he played a James Taylor song in his car, he could picture his childhood, with his dad’s stereo, the song playing, and his little self there.
@bonafidebenguidry and these kids won’t stop screaming in the background. #griefandloss #griefjourney #missmydad #songwriters #missingyou ♬ original sound - Ben Guidry
Above all, the most important way he was keeping his dad alive was by being the kind of strong, loving, amazing father he was. A study revealed that memories of deceased loved ones are recalled fondly for many reasons. The first reason was so that the person can maintain some kind of intimacy with those already gone.
The other reason was to use the memory as a reflection and adapt to it. Take, for instance, any teachings or any trait of a loved one, perhaps their smile or their generosity. When these are replayed in the griever’s mind, they will be inspired to recreate the same to keep their memory alive. These memories, as the study mentioned, were mainly used for “adaptive” reasons.
Data from the Census showed that 26.4% of the U.S. population had lost both parents by the first quarter of 2021. For those who had lost one parent, the loss of a father (69.2%) was slightly higher than that of mothers (50.7%). The most common age at which children lost parents was 50 to 54 years. (13.6% lost moms and 11.5% lost dads). It’s a loss that truly changes you, but like Guidry, ensuring that deceased loved ones live on through you is the best way forward.
You can follow Ben Guidry (@bonafidebenguidry)on TikTok for more content on music and parenting.
More on Scoop Upworthy
These 'wind phones' are helping people deal with grief by reaching out to their lost loved ones
Child asks for family phone without realizing she was accidentally describing a landline
Man's hilarious depiction of how different generations type on phones is a hit for its accuracy
Share on Facebook
