I received the call around 10 a.m. the morning he passed away, and within an hour, every one of his seven children, 13 grandchildren, and one grand child gathered at his bed to say our final goodbyes. We cried overwhelmed by the experience.  We laughed remembering all of the times we have had over the years. We spent time together, as a family. It would have been everything my Grandpa would have wished for in his final day. He loved nothing more than having his family over on Sundays. 

 

The last few months were incredibly difficult on him as he was not one to lay in bed.  In our visits, little by little, I saw his spark start to fade away. Although I miss him more than words can say, I know he is in a better place. 

The morning we were getting ready to go see my Grandpa one final time, I sat down with my two year old and said we were going to see Buppa because he was sick. We have a picture from last summer when my mom brought Declan over to see my grandparents. Declan loved the picture, so I gave it to him when I was explaining we were going to see him.  I turned my head for a few minutes to finish getting ready and I looked over at Declan to see him putting the band-aid that was on his heel onto the picture.  It melted my heart, and I took a picture of it to remember.  Even though only two years old, I sometimes I forget that they do pick up on what is going on.

 

Soon after my Grandpa's passing, I brought Declan into the room to say goodbye. He ran over to my Grandpa's bed and said, "Buppa night night?" He then gave him a kiss, and said, "all done" before running away to play. Although it was a difficult situation for all of us, the purity and simplicity of my two year old's love helped guide us through this circle of life.