"Mi Manchi, Nonno". Girl Between the Lines Post

I am the closest to my grandfather than perhaps any other human being on the planet. He raised me like I was his own child, not a grandchild. When he died of Alzheimer's disease two years ago, my grandma gave me a few of his things. I honestly couldn't decide, because these things each have some sort of value of their own.

The first item is a stuffed monkey, otherwise known as Mr Monkey. Mr. Monkey resides on my bed, has a red T-Shirt. He has a banana in his hand. His tongue is sticking out, and he's a light and furry brown. Mr. Monkey is perhaps one of my favorite stuffed animals, because it kind of reminds me of my grandfather, silly, and always fun. My grandmother gave me him shortly after he died, and he's been one of my most prized possessions.  Whenever I hug him, in some weird way it reminds me of my grandfather. Even though he just sits there, looking
The other two items are his necklaces that was his, or were once his and was made for me. The first one is a necklace that was made from a tie tack. My mom had given it to me for my high school graduation, and I am so glad that she did because even though I rarely wear it it's my favorite piece of jewelry. The other two are gold charms that he used to wear all of the time. The first is a Saint Jude, and the second is an anchor that my mom got him from Hawaii.
I choose these items because I was really close to my grandfather, and I miss him terribly. Therefore, picking just one was a hard thing to do. I miss him more and everyday, so the fact that I own things that he once had has the most value than things that cost thousands of dollars. Whenever I look at these things, I am reminded of his fight, his smile, and the fact that he never once complained during his six year battle with Alzheimer's. Thank you Grandpa, for not only the material possessions, but for the wisdom that you've also left behind. Ti amo, il mio nonno. Mi manchi molto.*

*I love you, my grandpa. I miss you a lot.

Those Who Are Gone

This blog entry is to honor two men. One man I knew, the other was a complete and total stranger, yet I somehow knew him, as did thousands of fans of his.

A few days ago, I watched the episode of glee with Cory Montieth. I have just gotten into the whole glee thing pretty recently, and have fallen for it pretty quickly. However, I couldn't help but burst out into tears...for the entire episode.
Cory, you had thousands of fans who loved you. You were a talented kid, and whose talents are greatly appreciated by the community of tweens, teens, and everyone else. You were loved by cast members, by fans, and your friends and family. Your life was short, and but not forgotton. You have left an imprint on the fans who loved you, and the family that knew you. Rest in peace, Cory. You were the quarterback, and always will be.

Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of my grandfather Cosmo's (pictured above) death. I decided to visit him, for some odd reason. I hate going to his grave, because it reminds me of him being sick. It reminds me of just leaving him the day of his funeral. It reminds me of how his life ended, something that I really can't take thinking about. I like to think of him as happy and healthy, not as sick and as a corpse. When I go to his grave the few times that I have, I often get flooded back with haunted memories of his ghost. I don't want to remember that man. I want to remember the one with the crazy one liners, the one who took care of me, and made me laugh.
Death and dying is a part of life we can not avoid. However, when we are forced to deal with death and dying we have to remember not that it was over, we have to remember that during their lives, there was happy moments. I believe that you should celebrate life, not mourn it. Grieving comes naturally, and we all have to go through it, some earlier than others.
The men I mentioned were great men. Today, I honor them, because they lived a great life, with people who truly loved them.
Those who have gone have inspired us to realize that life is truly short, and that we have to take advantage of everyday, because it's may as well as be our last.