I lost my Grandpa last year, on August 25 2014. It was the first time I lost someone close to me. I loved him SO much — we called him Nonno, since he was Italian.
He was the most amazing, compassionate and generous person I have ever known. He taught me so much and he didn’t have to do anything, he taught me just by being himself.
My family is so close, we do everything together, holidays, birthdays, etc. so he was always present, in every moment of my life. Losing him was one of the saddest and hardest things I have lived through. We couldn’t exactly figure out what he died of — his death was sudden, but peaceful for him.
The first couple of weeks were the hardest, and seeing my mom and my grandma sad made ME even more sad.
Going through all of his stuff was heartrending. When it comes to grieving, at first it was so difficult to stay focused, especially because he was in everything I did or thought about.
What helped me the most is the certainty that he went straight to heaven. I am 100% he did, since he was an exceptional human being. He was Catholic and he always did the right thing —even when it wasn’t beneficial for him.
The fact that I know he’s looking down on me and taking care of me makes it a bit easier to move on. Even though I don’t think you really move on.
I think what helps us “move on” is to think what a wonderful person our loved one was; and at first all the memories we have, even the happier ones, are going to be painful…very painful. Eventually though time goes by and life keeps moving, and suddenly all those memories will bring a smile to our faces.
It has been 7 months since he left us and it still hurts like it was yesterday. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him.
As much as it hurts, I am glad that God gave me the honor and chose me to be his granddaughter, and i will keep him in my heart forever. I hope my story can help other people going through similar situations.
