Remembering Lolo Joseph

where Lolo was laid to rest

Instead of doing my personal, whatever floats my boat post on Thursday this week, I've decided to move it up to today in honor of my grandfather's fifth death anniversary. Fifth. Wow. I can hardly believe that it's actually been five whole years since my grandfather lost his battle with cancer and passed away. While I'm certainly glad that he's not in pain anymore, and that he's finally catching a break up there in heaven, I miss him dearly and I know that everyone who knew him did too. 

He was a good man, strong, intelligent, sociable and very, very kind. He set about to make a difference in the world by doing his best to serve other people all his life, and he set a shining example for all of us on how to do so, even in the tiniest of ways. I admire his discipline, how he managed to set goals for himself and accomplish them all. I admire his kindness, how he managed to make every single person feel special and significant and cared for. I admire his leadership, how he managed to rally people together to make things happen. I admire his spirit, how he managed to stay active and smiling and encouraging even until the very end. I admire his commitment, to his family, his friends, and the place we lived. He was such a special person, and the world is sorely missing something because of his loss.

I miss you Lolo. I wish you could see me now, living here in New York City and enjoying it. I wish you could have gotten to know Macky better, to see that he's the perfect person for me to marry and to be at our wedding. I wish you were here. But I know that you're up there somewhere, and that you're smiling down on all of us - and that you'll always be here, as long as you're in our hearts. I love you Lolo.