Joshua and his grandfather love being together. More than anything else they love fishing. But
Grandpa gets ill and is in the hospital a long time. When he gets out he and Joshua share one
more fishing adventure and Grandpa promises Joshua that he will always be near. Think of it
this way Grandpa says. Today you and I are like two fish swimming together in this lake. When
I die things will be different. I won't be a fish anymore but I'll become something even
better. My love will be like the water in the lake. You might think I'm not with you but we'll
be closer than ever because you'll be surrounded by my love. Long after Grandpa dies Joshua
comes to understand that Grandpa kept his promise-and that love and its memory survive death.
When grown-up Joshua goes fishing with his daughter he teaches her what Grandpa taught him:
She knows we never have to feel alone or afraid because we are surrounded by a love that lasts
forever.
