Just over a week after we snapped this awesome photo of Luciana and her 4 grandparents, Grandpa Joe fell as I said in the last post. He fell in the middle of the night so we don't know for sure what happened, but it was enough to break some ribs and possibly injure a lung. After looking like he might recover, he quickly deteriorated in the hospital between Wednesday and Thursday and on Thursday I got a text from Mike asking for a priest. I was able to contact Father Dave who headed up to Providence for Last Rites and confession for Mike and his mom.
I was also able to get Tina from the airport on Friday. She was able to spend the night in the hospital with her mom so she could get some rest after 5 days straight of hospital vigil. Hospice came and on Saturday with his hand being held by his beautiful wife of almost 51 years, and both his children at his side, Raul left us. It seems strange to blog about it and possibly someone out there would find it inappropriate but it was a beautiful death. You truly couldn't ask for more after 87 wonderful years of a life well lived! He had his family by his side, he was medicated and kept (hopefully) mostly pain free and he was able to receive the sacraments before he went. At the beginning of his hospital stay he was conscious enough times for us to have funny typical Joe stories of telling folks he "couldn't be treated better if he were royalty" and telling Paula how she was a "beautiful woman."
The Mass was at Mother of God and Father Patrick was lovely. The deacons chanted and Mike did a reading. Luciana was an angel, the boys were so well behaved and Paulina held her own. We went directly to the cemetery where it looked for a moment like it might rain, but instead the sun came out and a beautiful scene transpired. I couldn't help but snap some pictures. We played Dust in the Wind and Tina and Mike both spoke to send him off once more to his final place of rest.
The luncheon after was also beautiful. So many friends and family and the folks at the country club were so kind. Amy had brought her whole family and we had all our kids as well. They made a special meal of chicken fingers and fries since they don't usually serve kids at funeral luncheons. So thoughtful and a very kind soul paid the entire luncheon bill for Paula.
Raul was salt of the earth and so too are his friends and family!
I can hear him 'bragging' about the gesture in Heaven now.
Jamie, Tina and Missy (Mike's cousins and sister in middle)
Grandma Rose and Grandpa Bob held down the "kids table"
The infamous/famous "Jimmy" Najib Attisha in the tan.
Lucy had a great time being coddled by Stephanie and Cassie. Paula got a surprise when longtime bestie, Samira Essa showed up as she has been undergoing surgeries and cancer treatments!
Beautiful girls toasting to the life of a beautiful man!
After the luncheon everyone just sat back and relaxed to enjoy the rest of a truly beautiful day. Truly he left a legacy of warmth, beauty, friendship, family, food and just enjoying what life brings!
Therapy Lucy.
