On this particular Saturday, I woke up at 6 a.m. wide awake. I laid in bed for about 30 minutes before wandering into the kitchen to make some coffee. It was 6:45 and my phone was ringing. The screen told me that Papa was calling, but I knew that it really wasn't him. I knew what I was about to be told, and I was right...
He went peacefully, in his sleep at 6:25, with my Mom holding his hand and telling him how much she loved him. Bittersweet. So bittersweet. It's been a rough 6 months, and all of that is over now providing a sense of relief, but now begins a new/deeper grieving process. If I'm being honest, Papa has been gone for a month, but now he is really gone and putting that stamp of finality on it changes everything.
When I was a little girl, I remember our many trips to the airport to pick up Papa and Grandmother. I would stand in the gate area, with my face pressed against the glass trying to catch a glimpse of the plane barely able to contain my excitement. The moment I saw Papa, I would make a mad dash into his arms for the biggest hug and kiss I could muster from my tiny frame. He and I would walk hand in hand to baggage claim, and he would listen to me, mesmerized, as I rambled on about whatever it was I happened to be into at the moment.
And our relationship was always like this, one big easy conversation. In college, I began calling Papa every Sunday night. Sometimes we would chat for an hour or so, and I grew to love and depend on these chats. Sunday night conversations haven't happened for a month now, and it sucks. I'm really going to miss hearing his voice.
I spent a lot of time with Papa over these last few months. Time that I will treasure for the rest of my life. We spent a lot of it just talking about anything and everything that had happened in his life. Amazing.
My Papa lived a full and passion filled life. I can only imagine the party going on in Heaven. He is with my Grandmother again, and his family, and I hope he gave my Dad a hug for me.
I am going to really miss him.
Rest in peace Papa, until we meet again....
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