We love you and will never forget you PopPop

This will be brief. I like to think of this blog as my happy place. But something very important must be shared here. . .

My dad/Hannah's beloved Pop Pop passed away peacefully at home on Sunday November 23rd after a tough and very brave battle with esophageal and stomach cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family 24/7 in his final days, and we are all grateful that he is no longer suffering. As hard as it was to see him like that, I am so glad that I got to be there with him. I took photos of my sisters, my mom, my Aunt Carol (my dad's sister) and me holding his hand the night before he passed away. I am so glad that I did. His hands were still so familiar and warm, even though they were much smaller than they used to be. . .I don't ever want to forget how strong they still felt even though his body was failing him. I concentrated on his hands for hours as I sat next to him. I will share those photos here as well as some other special ones from before he got sick. . .

I am sad that Hannah will not get to grow up with her PopPop around, but he will forever be an important part of her life. I can promise my dad and Hannah. We will keep his memory alive through photographs, videos, and special stories we will tell her about him :)

We love you and miss you Dad/Pop Pop.

Here's a short trip down memory lane--mostly photos of my dad with Hannah. I wish I had more. . .and a few other favorites of mine.

My wedding day--July 1996

Summer 1993--This was taken at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Summer 2007 at my cousin Mary's wedding. I wasn't able to attend, but this is one of my favorite photos of my dad.

First time my dad met Hannah :) Early October 2007

This one is for Hannah! Here's PopPop holding one of her favorite creatures on earth. . .a "der-dell" :)

Me and my dad 1976

My dad teaching me to ride a tricycle. Too bad I couldn't reach the peddles! Luckily he was there to push me around :)

I was about Hannah's age in this photo :)

September/October 2008--about a month after my dad's diagnosis, I took Hannah to spend some quality time with him. She adores her PopPop and affectionately repeates his name regularly, in a gentle whisper. To this day, she still whispers his name and smiles when she sees photos of him on the slideshow/screensaver on my laptop :) It's adorable.

Here we are listening to opera music before bedtime during our visit in October. Hannah LOVED it! I think PopPop was proud because she liked it loud, just like him :)

South Haven Beach--One of my dad's favorite places

I am so glad that we were able to get him to go there one last time. It was a very memorable and special day for us all.

End of October 2007--Hannah's Baptism weekend (Arizona)

Hannah's 1st trip to Chicago to meet her beloved PopPop :) (October 2007)

(sorry, some of these are out of order, you already saw a couple photos from this weekend earlier, but I wanted to include all of them)

Lastly. . .

A Very Special Set of Photos depicting all the loving hands that cared for my dad during his last days. These were taken the day before he passed away. . .

My sister Cassandra praying the Rosary with my Dad

Everyone took turns holding his hands:

My Aunt Carol (my Dad's sister)

Me

My sister Kim

My mom

My sister Cassan

This is one of my very favorite photos of my mom and dad now. . .this photo was also taken the day before he passed away and I think it says a thousand words without saying anything at all. Their love fills this picture.

Here's a link to the article that was written about my Dad in the Chicago Tribune after he passed away :) We were all so pleased that he was recognized in such a special way :)

www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-hed-clifton-26-nov26,0,4352110.story