Earlier this month, my grandfather – my dad’s dad – passed away of prostate cancer at age 91. He was a strong man who worked hard to take care of his family and teach his children right from wrong.
Though no one was happy that my grandfather, who I called Papi Hugo, died, there was some peace in the fact that in recent years he had developed many illnesses, including the cancer. He had lived a long, fulfilling life, and in my heart I believe his death allowed him to be free of any pain and suffering he would have continued to endure had he stayed with us.
I was not as close with Papi Hugo as I was with my mom’s father – not because I didn’t want to be, but simply because of location. Papi Hugo lived in Ecuador, where my dad, his five brothers and six sisters were all born. Since I was born 27 years ago, I remember him visiting the states once, when my brother was born, and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to Ecuador a couple times to visit him – most recently in 2007.
It’s taken me a couple weeks to write this because every time I’ve started I’ve been too sad to finish. Though I’m happy my grandfather is at peace, I selfishly with he could have stayed long enough to meet my husband and my daughter.
After I got married in 2008, my husband and I planned to go on a trip to visit my family in Ecuador, but we quickly decided the money we would have spent on a trip would be more practically put toward our new home so we would have a place to start a family of our own.
I didn’t get to see my grandfather often, but I know he would have loved my husband, Dan, and my daughter, Olivia. He was proud of my marriage and excited about Olivia’s birth four months ago.
It was hard not getting to go to Papi Hugo’s funeral to say a final goodbye, but I know he knows our hearts were there with my parents, who were able to make the trip.
I look forward to teaching Olivia about her past, about our extended family, and doing my best to introduce her to parts a family and a culture that she doesn’t get to see every day. I’ll start by putting a photo of my dad’s parents in Olivia’s baby book with a notes about how much her Great-Grandpa wanted to meet her.