poppa

i come from a big family. especially on my mom's side. my mom is one of 7 kids.

and from that, i am one of 21 grandkids on that side.

and yesterday, we lost my grandfather.

while i don't feel that i was ever particularly close with Poppa, i know he was always excited to see each and every one of us, and i loved knowing how excited he was to receive father's day cards from me (i think i was the only grandchild that send him one).

i'm glad that i got to speak with him last week to tell him the good news, and how excited he was. he always referred to Andy as my "friend," and asked me how Pennsylvania was. (everybody, aside from me, and one uncle/aunt, live in NJ, all about 1 hour apart--i only live an hour and change too).

this was expected and unexpected at the same time. Poppa would have been 92 in February. just over a month ago, he fell climbing the stairs to get to a party at my sister's condo (which is on the 2nd floor). he broke his hip, had to have surgery, was going through rehab, and was just about to get released to go to assisted living (he had lived on his own since my grandma passed away in May 2007).

and then he dislocated his new hip. and had to have surgery again. and it was a difficult road since then, but we all thought he'd be okay. and then he just slipped away with my mom by his side.

i'm sure when i talked with him last week, he was already thinking about dancing to "Unforgettable" at my wedding next summer, just like he did at my sister's. he absolutely loved that moment, and it was the point where my sister cried the most during the whole day.

he danced with all of his granddaughters at his 90th birthday party back in 2010.  to "Unforgettable."

i take solace in that he's where he's wanted to be for the past 4 years. 

we'll miss you Poppa. give Grandma a kiss for me.