I posted this as a comment in another thread but I thought I would make it it's own. Here: My siblings and I used to visit our trailer on the lake with my grandparents every summer. One year we had to stay inside nearly every day because of a series of severe storms. When they calmed down we would sit under the awning and listen to the rain. One night, while we were getting ready for bed, my grandfather said "I forgot my cup outside". He then walked out the door to grab his cup. He had only been outside a moment when we heard a loud crash, saw a bright flash of light, and felt the trailer shake violently. Dishes flew everywhere, the tv flew off it's stand, and I fell to the ground with a groan. I heard my grandmother scream. My brother and I rushed outside to see what had happened. That's when we saw my grandfather laying face down in the grass. We saw what looked like smoke rising off of him. My grandmother rushed out behind us and hurried us back inside before calling for an ambulance. When the ambulance arrived, my grandmother spoke with the paramedics. We were still inside but I could make out some of what they were saying. They told her that my grandfather had been struck by lightning and it wasn't likely that he would survive. She walked back inside and told us that she was going to the hospital with grandpa. She told us it was all going to be okay and that she would be back shortly. She told us that grandpa got knocked down by lightning and that the doctors wanted to make sure he was okay. My grandmother tucked us in and turned out the lights. I heard her sob softly as she closed the door. I then heard the ambulance grow farther and farther away. Then it was just the rain. I woke up the next morning before my siblings. I saw my brother and sister resting peacefully close by. I pulled off my covers and carefully crept towards my grandparent's room at the back of the trailer. I slowly opened the door so as not to wake my family. I saw an empty bed. I searched further for my grandparents. I quietly walked out the front door and peered up and down the street. The sun was shining and the ground was soaked from the many rainy days. There was no sign of my grandma or grandpa. I walked back inside and found my brother and sister, awake but groggy. I greeted them and asked if they wanted breakfast. I brought them some cereal and lifted the tv back onto the stand. I flipped it on and waited for it to start. The news was on. The news was always on. The old tube tv's dial had been broken and there was no remote to be found. It was something to listen to. Just an hour later, I heard the anchorwoman say something strange. It was my grandfather's name. I can't remember the exact words but the message was clear to me. My grandfather had not survived the night. The bolt of lightning had thrown him backward and his head had struck the trailer with such force that his skull was split open. He was laying unconcious in a hospital bed for nine hours. I rushed over to the tv and shut it off before they said anything else. I hoped that my brother and sister had not heard what was said. I didn't want them to find out this way. I felt tears rushing to my eyes and tried to excuse myself. I told them I was going to take a short walk. My sister asked if she could come. I regret to say that I raised my voice to her. I shouted "No! Stay here!" I saw her shrink back and cast her eyes downward. I didn't stop to apoligize. I ran to the docks, passing friends and neighbors who had come out to enjoy the long-awaited sunshine. Once I reached the docks, I fell to my knees and looked out over the lake. There was a steady stream of tears rushing down my face but I was silent. It was the first death I had ever experienced. I was ten years old. This man had taught me how to ride a bike, helped me with schoolwork, and been a wonderful role model throughout my entire life. His death hit me hard. [spoiler]Sorry this was so long. Sorry this wasn't a Fresh Prince story.[/spoiler] [spoiler]Two years after he died, we returned to the lake to spread his ashes. I haven't been there since.[/spoiler] [spoiler]TL;DR My grandpa got struck by lightning. I could've just wrote that but I like writing.[/spoiler]