The Wonderful Years

It's with a heavy heart, but a smile on my face that I write this entry. One of the most wonderful people in my life died this past Saturday....my Papa. The sadness and heavy heart is my own selfishness, I want him here, but the smile is for him, I know he was ready.

People often times become glorified after they pass away, that isn't the case here...my Papa truly was that person. He was human and wasn't perfect, but he was about as close to it in my eyes.

He came from humble beginnings, he was a hard worker, served in the United States Army, worked for the classic American company M&M's but above all he was a family man and I can attest to the fact that he was the best Papa out there.

I think it's the true sign of a good life lived when all of your family and friends come together and celebrate your life over mourning our loss. To have your two daughters stand and speak about what a truly amazing father and person you were says more than anything a person could leave behind. To be able to leave this earth and know that you are loved and respected by your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is a blessing that he absolutely had.

Funerals are always hard no matter how you dice it, but a good, Irish service is always followed with a get together that sure makes everything feel better. Kids running around, everyone drinking and sharing stories....it's exactly what my Papa would have wanted.

It's true what they say that we don't get to pick our families. That's why I feel extremely blessed to have been dealt a good hand!
I couldn't be happier that our little Edward was able to meet one of the wonderful Edward's that he was named after. He surely has some big shoes to fill!


 

My Papa was amazing.... he was a glass of lemonade on a porch swing, he was a summer Yankees game on the radio, he was a Manhattan at 5 and he was most certainly a handful of M&M's!

Give your loved ones a big hug and kiss tonight, tell them why you love them, not just that you love them and enjoy happy hour together....maybe even a Manhattan!
                                        
                                                        Live Wildly. Love Deeply.