Celebrating Papa...

Dear Brendan,

Pointing to Papa's Picture

I'm writing this post with a heavy heart. Today we laid your Papa's ashes to rest. Since his passing on February 14, a huge piece of our family has been missing. I'm having trouble finding the right words for this post which is why I have waited until now to write about Papa's passing in my journal to you.

He was such an amazing man, your Papa. There is no possible way for me to explain to you just how much he adored and loved you. You were everything and more to him. He lit up like nothing else when you two were together. And even though you only had 2 short years together, much less time than you both deserved, the bond between you two was second to none. It was so very strong. He was so proud of you and wanted nothing more than to be able to watch you grow up. I wish with every fiber of my being that I could have made that happen. I wish he could still be here with us, and I'm so so sad that he isn't. We miss him an immeasurable amount. More and more every single day. I'm so sorry that he was taken from us too soon.

Brendan, as a promise to you and to him, I will make sure to talk about your Papa with you every chance I get. I promise to teach you all about him and how much he loved our family. You will grow to learn how strong and courageous your Papa was. He was so brave in his fight to live. So very brave. YOU helped him fight to be strong in ways you may not ever understand. But his desire to LIVE for a chance to see you grow helped to keep him with us as long as he was able.

Papa's final resting place is in a beautiful mausoleum at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, CA. He wanted only his close family to be there to honor him as he was placed in the Mausoleum. This family picture represents your Papa in the exact way he would want. All of his cherished family dressed in baseball jersey's. The sport that he loved and watched at every opportunity. Papa and I used to have so much fun going to Angel games together when I was a teenager. It's because of him that I love baseball today. He made me a fan and I will always think of him when I'm watching a game!

Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario, CA - May 30, 2015

Papa's final resting place

Papa's love for baseball goes way back! Check him out playing baseball when he was young! From what I hear, he was a great 1st baseman! He even trained with the LA Dodgers! And as Papa would say, it was "Too cool!"

I'll close this entry with a few pictures of you and Papa. His heart was exploding with love for you even before you were born. You have a guardian angel for life, Brendan. I believe with all my heart that your Papa will watch over you and guide you throughout your life. Never forget how much he loved you. There is nothing more special to a mom than knowing somebody else has such an immense love for her child. Papa had that for you. He would've moved Heaven and earth to make sure you were happy in this life. Always know that.

Papa lived such a full and wonderful life and will forever be missed. Although he can't be with us in the physical sense anymore, he will always live on in our hearts. 

June 1, 1941 - February 14, 2015

Love you very much,
Mom xoxo