Starting at the end

I had originally planned to debut my blogging experience with a visit to the family's beginning. On our recent visit to Italy Lisa and I visited Apice, the small town where the Porcelli family hails from. I thought it would be great to begin this new blogging adventure at the beginning, where the family started. However, sometimes life redirects your best ideas. So if you want to read about our adventures in Italy you will have to come back to read more another day.

Today I start at the end. This morning my grandmother passed away. Given her pain at the end it is more than fair to say she is in a better place now. Having her in our lives it is true to say we are all in a better place because she loved us. She lived a wonderful life filled with love, laughter and family. Jackie, nan, grandma, mom or however you remember her you will always remember her with a smile in your heart.

In today's possession's driven world of who has what or did what, we can often get lost from the simple pleasures of companionship and caring. My "Nan", as she was affectionately known to me growing up, wanted for nothing more than to have her family around her and to share special times and memories with them. Like all good grandparents she doted on her grandchildren (especially her first) and could listen to their stories with a smile on her face for hours. Grandparents it seems are blessed with the best listening skills around. She simply enjoyed being a part of the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A simple lesson in love we can all reflect on in the coming days and as a family I hope we do not soon forget.

Today my mom asked me to share a few thoughts and memories that Lisa and I have of my grandmother. Without giving it a moments thought we both said the same thing, she simply wanted to enjoy and spend time with her family. I really don't think there is anything more special you can offer someone than your time and attention and Nan gave her family that whenever she could. A smile, a knowing look (you couldn't get much past her) and warm embrace were the things she offered her family and friends. Those are the memories we will hold on to.

With the passing of my last grandparent, a generation of memories are lost and a piece of time seems to slip away. For the those of us whose lives she touched the memories shared with her love will always reside in our hearts and minds. Nan, we will miss you.