You have probably heard it hundreds of times. People are always saying, “Never take a moment for granted.” I can honestly say I have almost always listened to this advice, until recently when I took the time to actually think about this line.

2017 was definitely not the best year for my family. My grandfather passed away, my dad almost died, and my grandmother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. I have spent the last couple of months thinking about the time I spend with people and how this time is precious, especially time with family. Each of these events that have happened has brought a different heartache to light, a heartache I will never forget.

When my grandfather first passed, it was like my family was living in a really bad movie. A movie we wish we never watched. A movie we would have never purchased. No one was expecting this movie of 2017 to be a bad one. My grandfather was not expected to die in this year, but somehow he just did. When I saw my grandfather for the last time, I never knew it was going to be his last day. I had a feeling that he might pass, but I wish I would have hugged him a little harder that day. It’s weird how one day you can be talking or just hugging someone and then the next day they are gone.

I think back now and I realize there was so much time I could have spent with my grandfather but I never did. Times where I told myself I would see him tomorrow, but little did we know that there would be no tomorrow. Sometimes, I wish I would have put down whatever I was doing and went over to see him. I feel that my grandfather missed some things in my life.

October was my grandfather’s 80^th birthday and he just missed it. In honor of his memory, my mom arranged a dinner. We each celebrated him like he was still with us at that moment. Thinking about this, there are so many things I wish my grandfather saw or will see in the future but he never will. It is sad to think that this man will never see any of his grandchildren get married or have families of their own. He raised four amazing children and sacrificed his life for them, one of them I am lucky enough to call my mother.

I wish my grandfather was here to see how amazing his family is doing today. Our whole family is trying to take care of my grandmother, who was the love of his life. My grandfather’s death kind of brought my family closer in a way. We learned that we may have differences, but we have one thing in common and that is the man who made this family. I think I speak for my whole family when I say that we learned that we have to make our times with one another count. When members of the family start getting older, we need to make more of an effort to be around. A lot of people I know hold grudges with their family members and I feel that grudges should never be held. We take time and people for granted.

Today, I watch as each member of my family represents a piece of my grandfather. It’s crazy how you can see one person in all different people. Most times, I look at my mom when she is doing something and I think she definitely got this quality from him. I will always admire that man’s selflessness and his ways of always seeing the good in people. I'll always remember his bright blue eyes and the way he loved dancing to Italian music. But, most of all, I will think about the love he had for his family and the people he was surrounded by. I hope to be able to show love throughout my life as much as he did.

I hope one day I can meet up with you again Papa. But until then, I hope to be able to tell everyone what a great man you were and how we all wish we can have just one more day with you. I love you, always.