Today is 5 May, 2012. The day your great grandad passed away. He was 87 years young. Although we knew it was coming, it hasn't made things any easier. Sadness has a funny way of creeping in and nesting in crevices of my body like stubborn rock that are hard to shift. I know this feeling all too well.
The funeral will be held a week from today and we will all have a part to play, including yours truly. Your aunty Sarah and I along with Nanny will deliver the Prayers of the Faithful. I'm nervous about losing my composure but so honoured to be speaking about a man I came to know so well. I'm sure Nonno will be so proud of us all, especially his grandkids.
Here's what I intend to say:
We pray for Nonno's wonderful gift of being able to connect with people of all ages and from all walks of life. His passion for fishing and boating was lifelong and his ability to turn anything he touched into a work of art, his garden being the obvious example, is a characteristic which endeared him to many.
His love of learning and the way he rose to any challenge presented to him never ceased to amaze us all. Let's not forget his generosity and the way he so often devoted his time and skills to help others as well as opened up his home to family.
Let us also pray for the proud man Nonno was and the way it showed in his immaculate appearance and in his love of fine things. Let us find solace in his infectious laugh and in his ability to laugh at himself, even in his final days.
Finally, let us pray for the private grandfather that we all knew so well, that loved Nan dearly. His love showed in the warmth of his embrace and in his positive interactions with his immediate and extended family.
A week has been and gone and with it your great grandad's funeral. It was lovely seeing family again but equally distressing sharing a seat a few feet from his coffin. I think that's when things really hit home. Nonetheless, today was, if nothing else, a fitting celebration of an extraordinary life.
Nonno you will be dearly missed and always hold a place in my heart. If Rohan grows up to be half the man that you were, we will be very proud parents.
Here's what I intend to say:
We pray for Nonno's wonderful gift of being able to connect with people of all ages and from all walks of life. His passion for fishing and boating was lifelong and his ability to turn anything he touched into a work of art, his garden being the obvious example, is a characteristic which endeared him to many.
His love of learning and the way he rose to any challenge presented to him never ceased to amaze us all. Let's not forget his generosity and the way he so often devoted his time and skills to help others as well as opened up his home to family.
Let us also pray for the proud man Nonno was and the way it showed in his immaculate appearance and in his love of fine things. Let us find solace in his infectious laugh and in his ability to laugh at himself, even in his final days.
Finally, let us pray for the private grandfather that we all knew so well, that loved Nan dearly. His love showed in the warmth of his embrace and in his positive interactions with his immediate and extended family.
A week has been and gone and with it your great grandad's funeral. It was lovely seeing family again but equally distressing sharing a seat a few feet from his coffin. I think that's when things really hit home. Nonetheless, today was, if nothing else, a fitting celebration of an extraordinary life.
Nonno you will be dearly missed and always hold a place in my heart. If Rohan grows up to be half the man that you were, we will be very proud parents.
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