August 18, 1972

40 years ago today, my maternal grandfather died, less than a month shy of his 60 birthday. I obviously never knew him, but thinking of him today reminds me of the fact that this event, 2 years before I was born, is one of the events that shapes my behavior today. Living a majority of my life without any grandparents is what reminds me of the importance of Joey having a relationship with his grandparents. It also makes me think that I should've named him Vincenzo...I think he could've pulled it off. Shortly after Vincent died, my grandmother Grace started acting "strange." Family members attributed it to her husband passing. But in just a few years, she would find herself living in an adult home, then transitioning into a nursing home. I believe I was 6 at this time. She died in that nursing home when I was 20. She had Alzheimer's and lived her last few years attached to a feeding tube and breathing machine. My Dad's Mom died when I was 15. His Dad is still alive but we don't speak. I can't help but feel that I was robbed of this special relationship that a child shares with his grandparents. This is why I make sure Joey sees my parents every week. yesterday, my Dad picked Joey up from school. They picked up my Mom and went to Chili's and then Target for a dinosaur and some books about Legos and dinosaurs. This marks the first time my parents ever took Joey out by themselves. He did great them and I'm so glad that this can set the precedent for more fun times to come.