A Sad Day For Our Family

Today is a sad day for us. My grandpa passed away this morning. We have lost a wonderful man, the patriarch of our family, our greatest supporter and probably the best husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa ever!
My grandparents have been married for 53 years! John and I were married on their anniversary, almost 10 years ago. They had 3 beautiful children, one of them is my mom. They have two granddaughters, one is me. They have 3 great-grandsons, they are my boys. It is hard to believe that Papa won't be coming home anymore. We all love him very much and we will miss him dearly!
My grandpa was a great man! I don't think he ever met a person who did not become his friend and I am pretty sure that he never had an enemy! I want to be like him when I grow up. I have many memories of my Papa. We used to watch Gilligan's Island together when I was a kid. I used to go on trips with my grandparents a lot. Papa taught me how to swim. He went to Father/Daughter banquets for Girl Scouts with me. He taught me how to pitch a softball. He loved me and supported me in everything I ever did, even if he didn't agree with it. He loved my Mimi with all his heart, always and forever. He loved each of his children forever and for always, and he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren the same way.
I am so very grateful that I had my Papa as part of my life for 35 years and that each of my children met him and were loved by him. I am truly blessed because I had him in my life. There will long be a void where he used to be....one that can not be filled by any other person on earth. I only hope that I made him proud, that he always knew how much I loved and admired him, and that one day I can be like him!