Happy Birthday Papa

Mom and Dad on their wedding day

Happy Birhtday Dad. Today you would be 86 years young. It's hard to imagine that it has been nine years this past New Year's Eve when you passed. Thank you for all the memories and lasting love that continues to sustain us. Your effect on us is apparent every day. I can only hope that in your passing you've entered into your new "spring" and as we pass into our own seasons, someday we meet again in the warm light of your favorite "summer" day. We love you dad!

One of Dad's many creations, the pond and waterfalls he built in the Poconos

Remembering Our Family

I remember this day like it was yesterday. My dad, his brother and nephew together in St. Peter's Square in Rome Italy. I went to Italy with my Mom and Dad for the first time since I was four and got to be with my family in Italy. Although all three have left their physical existence on this earth, they leave a mountain of memories and legacies that will be remembered for generations. We love and miss all of our family that have passed and remember them all as well, with love and thanks for having them in our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJkq-U7_8ZA&feature=related

Dad's Tools

My nephew Francesco is now a grown young man. Recently he has been outdoors, like his grandfather and father, cutting wood on the property, and working on his new quad so he can go exploring on the mountain. When we last saw eachother, we exchanged stories about our chainsaws and cutting wood and I explained that my chainsaw chain was dull and needed sharpening. Like a sprinter he ran into his dad's shed and pulled out Nonno's bag with my dad's sharpening tools. Yes, they were alittle rusty due to non-use and sitting in the garage, but it brought back many memories. What that man couldn't do or accomplish. I really don't know how he did it. I sat down today with the determination to learn how to use these tools and sharpen my chain. Of course, half way through reading the half ripped, stained and almost illegible tool manuals, I took advantage of a tool my dad most certainly would have acquired and mastered, (the computer). More specifically, Youtube. Wow, you can find anything on that site. I know he would have been "addicted" like someone I know. Well, I did learn alot today, but most of all, I learned again, how amazing my dad was and how much I appreciate and love my nephew for giving me that rekindled desire to be just like him.

Comment By Aunt Linda On Father's Day

Dear Paul,

A successful life is one that is remembered fondly and inspirationally by those we leave behind. One that has had such an impact that it is lovingly shared with those who are dear but never knew us. I remember your Dad's intelligence, creativity, the gleam he got in his eye when he spoke of Italy and anything Italian and humorously the tone of his voice when he said De Lor' Es when he impatiently wanted to get her to leave a party and head home.This was a beautiful tribute to him. Thank you for sharing, I am sure he will be with you in spirit tomorrow.

Love Aunt Linda

Happy Father's Day Papa

Dear Dad,

I just wanted to write this letter to tell you how much I love you. I know you already know this. There was never a time we didn't say it and show it. We were never ashamed to give each other a big kiss and a hug. Although I have tears right now, and miss you terribly, I want you to remember that we will always love you and you are with Susan, Mom and me every day in everything we do. We can't get together or have a conversation in which your name or a story about you doesn't come up. Usually it has something to do with food, cooking, mushrooms, bamboo (mom doesn't like that topic), or one of many things you used to say that ring true every time we repeat them. As I get older Papa, I don't know how you did what you did. Your passion, intelligence, hard work. Of course I know now you couldn't have done any of it without Mom and even at 72, she continues to take better care of us than we can her. Every day, I fail miserably trying to be half the man you were but I never give up because I know you are inside of me and this gives me the courage to keep trying to be a better man. I know you're proud of Susan because I am too. She's a great Mom and has so many of your never ceasing inquisitive and creative qualities. And of course your grandson Francesco is so smart and growing too fast. I wish I could slow it all down just a bit. Karina is a beautiful young woman and Biagio an amazing young man. I can see the smile they still put on your face. I try to keep the promise I made to you when you left us, to look after Mommy and Susan but the truth is, they take care of me, by far, more often and better than I could ever care for them. They're the two most important women in my life and I have this to thank you for as well. I hope you hear me when I talk to you often, I certainly hear you when you respond because whenever I ask you a question, I know the answer you would have given me and it gives me endless comfort and guidance.

Thanks dad for being such an amazingly unconditional loving father and for being the best dad I could ever have wished for.

Happy Father's Day Papa

Love your son,

Paul

I'm posting several photos of my father when he was a young boy growing up in Italy. I received them recently from my cousin Mariangela who discovered them in Italy and was kind enough to share them with me and my sister. Although I'm uncertain about who some of the other people in the photos are, several show my dad with his parents, brother and friends. As you can see, he always dressed well and was handsome and full of life, love and a never ending thirst for knowledge. He left his beloved country and family to come to America and start his own family and pursue his career as a medical doctor specializing in Psychiatry. Never the stereotypical Psychiatrist, he was born with an intuition about the human mind and could see your soul through your eyes but never made you feel uncomfortable. He was real and loved to share his passions with others.

I had always admired Paul and his father's relationship and could only have dreamed of one like that. One day we were all in Pennsylvania at your parents house and my father stopped by on his way to look at my sister's new house, your parents being who they are, set up an old Italian lunch, which in itself brought my father back to family. We sat and talked and then your father read my father a poem, it was the poem you posted (Patria Mia). I had never before seen my father cry. That day was a life changing moment for both of us. It took a while and some serious working on, but after that day I have that relationship with my father that I always wanted, your father told my father it was OK to love your son, His words were "if I cannot show affection to my children, then how will they learn to show affection to someone else". I love you both and your family so very much, you all have my eternal gratitude. Thank you, for sharing such a wonderful man with so many of us that knew and loved him. He will always be one of my heroes. (Written by Anthony Leto)