Winter Break, Remembering My Grandfather

This past Friday, December 18th, would have been my grandfather's (Pop Pop as we called him) 86th birthday.  I know everyone has a time and place, but it is hard to fathom not having him in our lives anymore.  Saying goodbye last spring was the hardest thing I've had to do in my lifetime. 

The holiday season is not the same without his radiant, fun-loving personality.  I remember getting back from a semester studying abroad in Dublin at about this time last year.  I had brought back countless souvenirs for family and friends, but the one thing that I was absolutely most excited to give was a sweatshirt - a zip-up hoodie with "Sicilia" sewn on the chest.  I had made it a goal to visit Sicily while abroad and bring something back for Pop Pop, a very proud Italian who had never made it back to the place where his parents left to come to the U.S. before he was born.

As Christmas nears, I am more thankful than ever to be home and spending time with my family for my final collegiate winter break.  However, I can't help but shake the feeling of something - someone - missing.  Several things have changed over the past year, and unfortunately we lost our dog Pal last spring as well after 15 great years.  All of this being said, I have come to realize that change is the only constant in life, and I want to focus for the next few weeks on the amazing years that I've been lucky enough to spend with my family, Pop Pop, loyal dog, and those that have had such a positive impact on my life.  In honor of my grandfather, I also wanted to share a few words I wrote up in remembering him last spring:

     I have taken many different kinds of classes up at Boston College, and I have learned a lot.  But Pop Pop has taught me more important lessons than any class ever could - one of the most notable things I can think of is to be a genuinely good person who everyone enjoys being around.  This sounds simple, but it is easier said than done, and I have honestly never met someone with a more positive, happy-go-lucky attitude than him.  He was an authentic & truly good-hearted person, an amazing father and husband, and the best grandfather anyone could ask for.  I will always cherish the moments I spent with him, whether it be outside working in his garage, or sitting on the Gator behind our produce stand in the summer.  More often than not, if there was a lull in customer activity, I could always count on Pop Pop to joyfully drum up a song (or three), usually utilizing his cane as a makeshift guitar.
     In addition, I am so thankful I arrived home for spring break this week and decided to stop by the house to have lunch and say hi on Monday.  Something that will not cease to amaze me, as I have already mentioned, is Pop Pop’s unwavering friendly and happy character.  He somehow continued to put on a smile up until we arrived at the hospital on Monday - he was too weak to speak much, but after a nurse handed him a few papers to sign, he gave them back with a classic wink and a grin. The nurse smiled back of course, and as Mom Mom said, he was “never too tired to flirt.” 
     Overall, I just wanted to say thank you Pop Pop.  Thank you for your laughs, your playfully sarcastic comments, and of course your entertaining songs.  Thank you for always being a shining example of what it means to work hard, have fun, and fill those around you with happiness.  I am going to continue to think of you in all that I do, and I can only hope to live up to be half the person you were.  I hope I am able to keep making you proud - and don’t worry, I’ll keep doing my best to save a buck or two whenever the opportunity presents itself :). 

 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday and new year!