Thursday, December 21, 2023
So many words come to my mind when I think about my Grandpa.. teacher, head of the family, sheet metal worker, national guard member, knights member... but the most important titles he held was son,brother, husband, dad, grandpa, great- grandpa, uncle,and nephew...
I want to share a few stories about my Grandpa
In my early teens my fathers dad passed away and I never would have imagined the life lesson my Grandpa taught me the day of my grandpas wake. He pulls me aside away from my older cousins and my brother,and said to me Melissa its so important that you go into the funeral parlor and say Goodbye.. I said Grandpa my mom and dad said I didn't have to go in and I could stay with my older cousins and brother. He urged me saying you got to do this. Nana and I will be by your side and I wont leave you I promise.. I said ok.. I couldnt say no to Grandpa.. He kept to his word and Nana and Grandpa didn't leave my side.. My parents were shocked I was there... My grandpa taught me alot that day what was proper at a wake.. I remember being upset for awhile, but I never would have thought that day he was preparing me for my Great-Grandpas death the following year. I recently on his 90th birthday thanked him for what he had taught me the importance of being there for others when people loose a love one. He didnt understand why I thanked him, but I know why...
On Oct 11th 1990 Grandpa took the roll of 2 Grandpas. He rose to the occasion
This story was more of a shocking thing I found out one night when I slept over my grandparents house.. I come down and my Grandpa is reading the newspaper he keeps saying awesome, great, amazing.. I said grandpa what are you reading.. the irish race track I asked him what's that. He says you go through the obituaries and see who died that was younger than you that died. I said Grandpa thats awful.. he says to me a day you're above the soil and grass its a good day... which is a good point...
I invited my Grandpa and Nana to karaoke and I sang a certain song Grandpa tell me about the good ole days by the judds... i come back and he says to me it wasnt so good.. i said to him its better than today. We got to go back to the old days where familes are in the forefront....
Even though i have so many more... this is my favorite i told Grandpa i would say 2 days before he passed away i made it to the hoover dam he was so excited i made it there... he says to me though there are so many places more. Grand Canyon, Niagra falls in Canada, Hawaii to see pearl harbor, and of course Ireland. I guess Grandpa made me a bucket list....
My Grandparents were here when they opened the doors to Saint Malachys church!! My Grandpa said to me Cardinal Cushing made a statement during blessing of Saint Malachy did Walt Disney design it.. i laughed i said i can completely cocur that our church shape is distinctive.
I love that I got to spend the last couple of years having time with Grandpa and Nana... In the later years of Grandpas life he would embrace you and also say i love u alot more. I cant believe i wont hear any more of his stories... Our chats in the morning when it was just the 2 of us was my favorite moments.
I wish i could have one more embrace and hearing his voice saying I love u too...
Grandpa on Christmas Eve i will have our pizza party... i will have the biggest piece of peperoni and think always some how cheese will be on your chin... i will know u will be there with me having a slice too with Nana by your side with her having a slice of cheese pizza....
I love you to the moon and back Grandpa... rest in peace.... I'm sure Nana was waiting for u at the door of heaven... You will never be forgotton!
