"Here's Looking at You, Kid"

Okay, so I debated on whether or not to share this online, but let's face it: I've got lessons to plan, papers to grade, assignments to design, and I'm an incredible procrastinator. Besides, this is a really cool story. :)
A good portion of my childhood was spent taking care of my grandpa, who had emphysema and little desire to live. Every day after school, from the time I was in 3rd grade through 7^th grade (when he passed away), my brother and I would be picked up by my mom and we would drive over to Grandpa's house, where we'd keep him company, play in the backroom, make sure he was taking his medication, eating, etc. Anyways, Grandpa and I used to sit in the living room and daydream about taking an African safari one day, as it was a place we both wanted to see and neither of us had made it to yet. He had traveled all over the world but Africa was one continent he never made it to and always wanted to see. Perhaps it's because of him that I've grown so in love with Africa? Anyways, when I was in 7th grade Grandpa's health got really bad and we were forced to move him into a nursing home. While packing his stuff up and readying to sell his house (a very sad time) he pulled my mom and I aside and told my mom "See that movie there?" pointing to Casablanca, "I want you to take it. You need to watch it. Watch it with Val." My Grandpa passed away a few weeks later, my family and me holding his hand while he died. When things slowed down Mom and I finally sat down and watched Casablanca, the movie Grandpa so wished us to see . . . and we thought it was lame. We laughed through tears at the fact that Grandpa thought it was important we see it (and that we were so naïve to believe it might hold some sentimental meaning), then we put it on the shelf with our other collection and never watched it again. Years later, I went to Africa, took the African safari we had always dreamed of, and then applied to the Peace Corps thinking I'd be returning. As we all know, however, that wasn't the plan. After years of believing I’d go to Sub-Saharan Africa with the Peace Corp, I instead am going to Morocco, the country of "Casablanca."
It wasn't until I was bored and looking through our movie collection the other day that I stumbled across the old, dusty VHS of "Casablanca" and remembered Grandpa's request. I brought the movie out, watched it, and although I still haven’t found a sentimental meaning in the plot of the video (hehe), I think my Moroccan placement has found much more meaning for me. I can’t help but picture Grandpa saying “Here’s looking at you, Kid” with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. When I reminded my Mom that Casablanca is in Morocco (and we reminisced about that silly request of Grandpa’s), I think she, too, found some solace, and both of my parents seem much more at ease with my decision to go now. So I patiently await my invite, excited and anxious as ever. :)