It’s been two whole years since my best friend passed. And guess what, today would have been his 91st birthday. So, today it only felt right that we honour and celebrate him in the best way we know how
(with a good Martini + cheese plate).
I’ve talked a little about my Papa (my Mom’s Dad) and the significance he had on my life, but I’ve never really spoken in depth about him. When I think back on my life, the one thing that was woven through the entire thing (besides my parents) was my Papa.
It’s been a hard loss to process. Not because it was unexpected or sudden but because of the void it’s left behind. What I’m choosing to focus on are the memories from the three decades we got to spend together. The time, the lessons, the experiences we got. That I’ll never forget. That I’ll probably replay in my mind for the rest of my life.
My career was something that my Grandfather championed and I loved having him around to discuss developments and where I needed to make improvements. He always had something clever to say and inspired me to really think outside the box and figure it out.
Just before he passed, I had just started working on my jewelry line with Lavender & Grace and was crushed when he could no longer actively participate in any more chats. The following fall when our collection launched, I named our hero piece the ‘Genie Coin Necklace’ after my Papa (Gene). It went on to sell out X3 times before becoming Lavender & Grace’s bestselling piece to-date. Something I think he would be proud of.
I have to believe the spirit lives on after we leave our physical bodies and that he is up there watching over everything. I hope so.
To my Papa,
To say you are missed would be the understatement of the year. Sometimes I still can’t believe you’re gone. It kinda just felt like you’d live forever! You always seemed so youthful and strong in my mind.
Really been missing our chats this past year, I have so much to catch you up on. I think you’d be proud of what I’ve accomplished since then and what is in the works moving forward. I’ve been leaning into ‘more books, less internet’ and have learned so much. I am forever grateful for your faith in my vision and ability, and for giving me constant encouragement to “just go for it, already”.
As life has it, the end of your life was when I truly began to realize the magnitude of influence you had over mine. Looking through a lifetime of photos makes you realize just how good you had it. Thank you for always calling to check-in and showing genuine interest & enthusiasm in my life, my whole life. For teaching us everything you know and for the gift of memories I now treasure from our travels around the world.
All of these lessons I will take with me forward, to help me bloom further into the person you always knew I could become.
Thank you, I love you.
Until we meet again xx
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