This is a photo of my beloved father-in-law Frank. He was born in Mola de Bari, Italy, and moved to the United States when he was 8 years old. He built quite a successful life for himself here, and was a wonderful, generous and kind man. A true gentleman. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 12 years ago. It was hellish at times for all of us, I can't even imagine how it must have felt for him. It was incredibly painful to lose him to Alzheimer's, little by little, day by day, and to have him lose the ability to speak and communicate.
My children never had the joy of experiencing their grandfather, who loved them so dearly. They were too young to remember how he would hold them and beam proudly at "these guys". Instead my children had a grandfather who required their love and affection and attention without any real reciprocation. They always did an amazing job of touching him and lavishing him with their love, they made me so proud.
Goodbye Frank, I have missed you, and I have always thought the world of you.
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2 comments:
He would have been just a little younger than my father. It sounds like he really touched you. I'm sorry for your loss.
Joan - I'm so very sorry for your loss. A number of my friends have lost a parent to Alzheimer's - it's so, so difficult. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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