In memory / 9.24.12

I can't believe that time has flown by so fast - that somehow DH and I are leaving for the first leg of our honeymoon on Friday, how 72 hours has changed my life yet again.

1986

This morning at 2:30 my grandma passed away. Part of me can't believe that this is the second time in 5 months that I've lost a grandparent. I keep wishing that this wasn't real, but sadly this is real.

My grandma was an amazing woman. She always put her family first - whether it was working during the depression rolling tamales or making almond roca in a factory and giving all the money to her parents, to taking care of both sets of her parents when they became ill, to moving down to be closer to her mom so she could walk to visit her every day.

My grandparents on one of their many trips to Hawaii

My grandparents were married for almost 65 years when my grandpa passed away in 2007 and he was her entire world. I have never seen two people more devoted to each other, or who loved each other so much, even in life and death.

I can't ever remember her being angry or sad when growing up. Whenever we were sick as kids, her and grandpa would be the first ones to come over and keep us company. She and my grandpa were always in the front row for every sporting event, graduation, and major milestone in our lives.

One Christmas at a cousins house

Although the past few years have not been easy my grandma was still always happy to see us. She always remembered my mom, always teased my dad for the color of his beard, and  always insisted that I was such a nice pretty girl.

While I imagine the next few days will not be easy, I can hopefully try and console myself that she is finally happy with my grandpa again - the one thing she's always wanted since December 14 2007.

These words - these few, simple words... I wish I could put down on paper everything - but how do you sum up 28 years of love and appreciate for one person? I'm not quite sure you can. But - I am thankful and grateful that I was able to tell her this before she left us.

To my grandma, thank you so much for everything you have taught me. I will miss you so much but carry you with me every day.

Love,
Laura

In Memory

Four years ago today I lost perhaps the second greatest man in my life - my grandpa. I find it hard to believe sometimes that he is gone - the sadness has gotten much better and while he is physically not here anymore I'm still left grappling with words, my pen and paper, often my keyboard, and plenty of photos and happy memories.

1984

My grandpa was a proud man. Proud of his family, of his heritage, of all the work that he had done to get to where he was. He came over by himself from Italy on a boat at the age of 15 and didn't speak a work of english. I don't think I could've done that now at 27, let alone at the age of 15.

1987

His devotion to his family was unsurpassed- he and my grandma were together for 63 years - and he loved us more than anything.  When I was younger - whether or not I was an only child or if I was an older sister - it was always a treat to spend time with my grandma and grandpa. Before 9-11 and security beefed up we'd always go down to the airport, park the car with some McDonalds, and watch the planes take off. He was an avid photographer - I'm convinced that this is where I got my love of photography from - and for that I'm so thankful.

My favorite picture of us

One of my grandpas greatest pasttimes was cooking - and it seems fitting as my family usually gathers around the table for any holiday or event. We always joked that he should open a restaurant - and I've never had better food in my life (okay, so Italy comes close...). His garden was beautiful - an array of roses, orchids, strawberries, green beans, zucchini, and even a persimmon and an apple tree.

1996

You're probably thinking, why am I telling you all this? Well, this could've been prevented. For a long time leading up to his stroke my grandpa knew that something was wrong. His physical signs (fainting spells, being dizzy, losing a bit of his sight) should not have been ignored. Perhaps we were in denial, or my grandpa was too proud, but I'm almost sure that had he sought medical advice sooner that he would be with me at my wedding next year.

So please. If you have symptoms of a stroke (or anything else for that matter) please get help before it is too late. For more information, you can log onto the national stroke association website.

To my grandpa, I love you. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you. I'm so sad that you won't be with me on my wedding day, but I know you'll be watching. I love you. Always.  Laura