Rest in peace sweet man...

My dziadzieu. (for those not remembering: dziadzieu is Polish for Grandfather). Dziadzieu is hands down the sweetest man I've known. I have so many memories of him from when I was a kid and many as an adult. One Christmas Eve, dziadzieu, sweet old man that he was, gives me a hug and says "may you be happy. and may you finally meet a man and get married." All I could do was laugh, because coming from him at least, it was cute. Fast forward a few years later. My fiance comes home to CT with me for our engagement party. We go to the nursing home where dziadzieu has lived for the last 6 years (since his strokes). Dziadzieu, who cannot speak, used all the expressions in the world to let me know he approved of this man. He smiled more huge than I've ever seen him do and just continuously shook his hand; nodding and smiling and shaking his hand. And I knew. I knew what he meant, and was so proud to have that moment of happiness with him. Fast forward to last month. Dziadzieu was put on hospice and I just knew in my heart I had to get Matthew there for dziadzieu to meet him. It was another sweet moment for me, despite having to see him so frail and sick. Here he was- my last living grandparent, and he was able to meet my son. I will cherish that visit ALWAYS. He lived 96 years. 96. And when he died, this afternoon, it was time. My mom and dad were with him, and he died peacefully in his sleep, without pain. I know he is in a happy place right now. I know he is looking down on me and my boys and smiling. I will forever miss him.

Matthew's first visit with dziadzieu
Dziadzieu and I circa 2004

Checking out my son.