As we said our goodbyes,
Time slowed.
We held each other a little longer...
You told me, "I love you baby" -
You never said "I love you" to anybody,
But me...
And if you did, it was once a year.
But you told me every time we spoke,
Multiple times.
Your once strong embrace,
Felt fragile
But I could feel you mustering whatever strength you had to hold me tight and pull me close.
Once a man that some feared,
But I never had-
Because I was always your favorite,
And I'm not quite sure why.
You let me get away with more than the other kids,
You gave me more responsibilities as well-
You trusted me with your garden,
And Lord knows, you trusted nobody with your garden.
I tended to the tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants-
Eating my weight in cherry tomatoes every time I harvested them for you.
I remember always looking at your hands,
Rough, tanned and rugged-
Truly a testament to your hardworking nature.
You smelled of tobacco and caramel,
And somehow, I loved it,
Burrying my face in your flannel every time I hugged you,
Inhaling deeply...
As I slipped my tiny hand into your shirt pocket to steal a peppermint lifesaver or Werther's Original.
From the time I could talk, you taught me what it meant to be Italian-
You had me in the kitchen cooking sauce with you, and dicing onions and garlic before I probably should have ever held a knife.
I remember standing on a wooden chair from the table, pulled to the countertop, and taking direction as the aroma of your sauce filled the air...
Sneaking bread in when you weren't looking to steal a taste -you always smiled like you knew.
I remember you talking me with peeling potatoes, which seemed like for hours-
You and I fought over the end pieces of bread, something I still giggle about every time I eat one.
The smell of fresh cut wood from your workshop permeates my memory- Watching you create with your hands, not only food, but furniture, truly had me in awe.
My grandpa did everything!
And as the years passed,
I watched your soul soften-
What once was strength and a hand with a paddle, turned to less building, more cooking, and slow days with grandma as she rapidly declined.
You gave up your life,
For her,
And for us kids -
To be close and to watch us grow-
You became selfless, though not everyone could truly see it... I did.
I loved our calls, I loved the soul connection we had, and I simply love you!
The last glance we shared,
Our eyes swelled with tears-
We knew,
It would be the last time we would look at each other.
You looked at me like you were so proud,
And with such love-
It was one of the most powerful feelings I've experienced in my life.
So much said, with no words at all.
I love you grandpa,
Give grandma and mom hugs for me-
I know you three will have so much to catch up on.