Today I was at Mass with my Grandmom. She was having the Mass said for my Poppy who passed away in August at the age of 87. It was a typical Mass, nothing out of the ordinary. However, as my Grandmom and I were about to leave, this lady came up to us. She said she normally didn't talk to people at Church, but for some reason she felt she had to come over and share a story with us.
She told us of a couple who became pregnant, only to find out that once the child was born, (s)he would not live more than 48 hours. The couple decided to carry the fetus to term and when the child was born the entire family was in the room celebrating his/her birth. They passed the laughing and smiling baby from family member to family member. Within the 48 hours, the child died, just as what was told to the parents earlier. But the joy the family got was something they would never forget. And it taught them never to take a day for granted.
Today would have been my Poppy's 88th birthday. There's not a day that goes by where I don't miss him and wish he were still here. I'm lucky. I was able to have him in my life for 24 years. I have so many memories with him, mainly from the fact that him and my Grandmom took care of me growing up and I practically lived with them every summer while I was growing up. I know it's not possible, but I wish I could have him back here with me for another 24-88 years. I just wish I had one more day with him. One more day to say thank you for everything, to hug him (which was a rarity in the family), or to say I love you one more time. I never should have taken him or my Grandmom for granted these ast 24 years.
While Poppy may be gone, there's not something that reminds me of him. I was at Friendly's with my friends and saw an advertisement for the watermelon rolls they sell. Well, in the summer when I was younger, he would buy my one. So naturally I ended up getting a watermelon slice. There's also all the times he took me fishing at the lake across the street from my house. We never used worms, always frozen hot dogs (and yes, we did catch fish). Or the times we went out on my uncle's boat and my dad and uncle would be making fun of me, Poppy was always the one to stick up for me. While we had our differences and fought, that's who we were, two stubborn people, in his case a stubborn Russian Pol, in my case a stubborn Russian Pol with some Italian and other nationalities thrown in for good measure.
I also learned more about my aunt who died shortly after she was born. While I don't know the entire story, I know my Grandmom has regrets. After hearing that lady's story at Church earlier, it just make me wonder what it would be like to have another Aunt. And would I have cousins?
You don't know what's going to happen in your life. I thought Poppy would be around forever, I mean he didn't get to see me receive my Master's degree and he'll never see me get married. But I guess I'm lucky. Alot of people's grandparent's don't even get to see them receive their bachelor's degree. I just keep telling myself now that Poppy and Mom Mom both have the best seats in the house to watch me continue growing up.
Lesson of the: just enjoy life for what it's worth and never take anything for granted. Also, tell the people who matter the most to you that you love them as often as you can because you never know when you won't get the chance to again.
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