'til we meet again?

Yesterday, we bid farewell to Grandpa. Mario is my children's grandpa...their dad's dad. He was a charming, handsome little Italian man. He always treated me like the daughter he never had. He spent hours in his yard, tending to his roses and his many animals through the years. He built patios and fireplaces and pathways and playhouses. He loved wine and opera and told interesting and amusing stories of his boyhood. I loved him. He will be missed.

He and my kids were very close and spent a lot of time together until the end. Still, they are so very sad. We talked about how much it hurts today, but how lucky they are to have had grandpa in their lives for so long! He lived to be 88 years old! They had a great relationship, he loved his grandkids, and left this earth with no regrets.

Arrivederci, Nonno!