To My Grandfather..

How do I start this? How do you say goodbye to someone as great as you? You know, they always say you should celebrate a loved ones life. You shouldn't mourn their death, but instead celebrate the life they have lived. You lived one of the greatest lives I have ever known.

You came to Canada and not only made a life for yourself, but a life for all you children. You brought security to your family. You worked so hard, and it wasn't for yourself. It was for your children and your grandchildren.

You have been a major influence on my life since birth. You were always there along with my own father to teach me right from wrong. You taught me how to respect my family, how to respect women, how to live my life positively and always have a smile on my face. Every day that I saw you, you had a smile on my face and would have a joke or a "back in the day" type story to tell me. I loved every minute of it, and knowing that I won't be able to hear these stories again breaks my heart.

You were always such a strong man. You never complained about anything and always had others interests in mind before your own. Even until the end, while in the hospital you still had your same sense of humor and strength. I wish I had your strength and courage to help me get through all this pain. I am trying to be strong for my family, but knowing that I'll never be able to go over and discuss the weekends soccer games with you tears me apart. Knowing that whenever I go see Grandma, you won't be around the corner doing your crosswords, listening to your radio breaks my heart so much.

You were always full of life, and seeing you lay there with the life taken away from you is something that hurt in ways unimaginable. I know that pain is supposed to be temporary but this is a hurt that is so deep that I don't know how I will ever be able to recover. Knowing that I will never be able to see you again, talk to you again, hold your hand one more time is just too painful to recover from. Holding your hand so tightly, praying for you told squeeze back and begging you to please just wake up but knowing you wouldn't was a hurt too deep to heal. I'm trying so hard to be strong like you Abuelito but I can't.

I love you SO much. You will always be in my heart and the hearts of your entire family. We were all there with you in the hospital bed when you left us, and I know in our hearts you'll be their with all of us until our end. You were a great man, one of the greatest I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. If I could ever be even HALF the man you ever were, I know i'll have lived a good life. Te Amo Abuelito Pancho. I Love You so much. Watch over me and my entire family. We'll see you again one day.