Good-bye Grandpa Sam

My grandpa passed away after massive stroke last week.  At 91 years old, he was as vivacious as ever.  The doctors said his vitals resembled that of a 24-year-old, even after the stroke.  He was a colorful character who lived life to the fullest.  There was no doubt about it; he loved his life.  A memorial service was held yesterday in his honor.  It was sweet, sentimental and funny, and I think he would have loved it. 

 

Yesterday's service was the result of a huge family effort.  Everyone helped in their own way, from organizing the service to making picture boards to setting up the family gathering at grandpa's house afterward to making the food for all to enjoy.  So many little pieces that came together in a flawless way, and really, I expected nothing less from my mom's family.  Grandpa's legacy was his children, grandchildren and great-children.  The love and support that exists in the family is incredible and a true testament to grandpa's life.

 

My contribution to the service was a short presentation about grandpa's life and the life lessons learned from him which I have recreated below.  Good-bye Grandpa Sam..."for never before...has the world ever known a you, my friend, and it never will, not ever again" (quote from the book On the Night You Were Born).

 

 

A Life Like Sam's:  Lessons Learned From My Grandpa

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wise woman (otherwise known as my Aunt Cathy)

 

 

recently said that people come into our lives either to learn a lesson or teach a lesson.  I have no doubt that my grandpa was put in my life to teach not just one but many lessons, and I would like to share some of them with you today.

Despite his time as a medic in World War II, Sam was a lover, not a fighter. 

 

And his first love was Lorraine. 

At that time, in the city of St. Louis, an Irish girl may have thought twice about getting involved with an Italian boy, but this was not just any Italian boy we are talking about.  This was Sam.  And as he would tell you himself, his devilish good looks were hard to resist.  I will have to note here that among grandpa’s many traits, humility is not one of them.  His lack of humility applied not only to himself but to his family as well.  Sam was infinitely proud of his beautiful daughters

and his equally stunning boys….

 

but how could it be otherwise, really?  I mean, we are talking about the offspring of the Italian Stallion here. 

Sam taught his children to be proud of their roots, and while his children and grandchildren may have many different backgrounds, I think we all know the nationality that counts the most. 

Sam worked two jobs to make ends meet while the kids were growing up, but he found ways to carve out special times with the kids, such as taking along a little helper to his night job or baking cakes with his youngest daughter, Chris. 

Life was definitely meant to be celebrated, and you didn’t need extravagant things to do it.  A weekend trip to the shower house and a tomale from the tomale cart could serve well as special treats for successfully making it through the week.

Ultimately, Sam lived his life with the understanding that we should work hard, but play hard too. 

Enjoy life and don’t take things too seriously. 

 

Dance

 

and be silly. 

 

But rest when you need to.

Travel as much as possible to appreciate all this world has to offer, even if the only travel companions you can find are a couple of hippies. 

Be adventurous. 

And don’t be afraid to try new things.

Time is precious so use it wisely.  You will never spend a day better than one spent with family. 

And if you can work it around a good homemade meal, all the better. 

If not a homemade meal, getting someone else to pay for your meal works just as well.

Grandpa was fond of telling all of us (in-laws included), they we are all here because of him.  Truly, your children,

grandchildren,

 

and great-grandchildren

 

 

are your legacy.  So make time for the next generation. 

 

You won’t regret it.

Never be afraid to speak your mind.  No one asked you how their hair looks or how they look in their outfit?  Never mind that.  Sam’s keen sense of style and fashion advice was too good not to be shared.

Cease every opportunity.  Find yourself in the hospital on occasion?  Great!  This presents the perfect opportunity to flirt with nurses or to set your granddaughter up with one or all of the doctors.

Be spontaneous.  If you happen to have a free moment in the day, visit a family member at work.  Never mind that 1.  They are working or 2. You don’t actually know where your granddaughter works and show up at the wrong school, and in fact, the wrong town, entirely.

Express your faith in your own way,

but always be grateful for your many blessings.

Above all, be your own person (despite what the neighbors may say about your lawn ornaments). 

 

Grab life by the horns and enjoy every moment.

 

Sam always said that he absolutely loved his life.  We should all only be so lucky to live a life like Sam’s.