This man is the light in my life.
I can't imagine not growing up with him living only about 10 min away.
2 years ago in October he had brain surgery - twice. In one month. And he recovered from both miraculously. He is amazing.
I'd like to say our family has good genes - his brother passed away at 102 & his sister at 98.
But the truth of it probably is that we are stubborn Sicilians & proud of it :)
Or maybe it's the fact that since before anyone can remember he has continued to turn 29 every birthday - 29 must have been the best year of his life.
Until his surgery - we would catch him mowing his lawn and putting up Christmas lights - things most 96 year olds would never even imagine. He drove (by himself) to the casinos every day to visit his friends. He is amazing.
While in the hospital and rehab we really began to realize what a flirt he was. He made all the nurses his girlfriends and tried to convince them that he was better than their boyfriends/husbands. They should have listened - He is amazing.
Now in a nursing home - he says he only has about 5 girlfriends. Which is him eliminating many. Everyone there knows Victor & everyone enjoys his presence. Almost every nurse has a personal relationship with him which is amazing considering how huge this place is & almost all the other residents say "Hi Victor, good to see you" when we walk by. My Grammy was a lucky women. She was amazing & he is amazing.
Papa currently loves bingo, puzzles, his kitty - which is at home, and Costco pizza. Every time I visit him he has won me either a bag of chips or a stuffed animal in bingo. Good luck has always been on his side when it comes to winning and he is always so proud to give me my prizes.
These past few months have been rough on Papa as he was admitted into the hospital in December for pneumonia. This sickness at his age is always something that is very dangerous. He somehow managed to get out of the hospital in 4 days by proving he could walk down the hall with a walker (which he hasn't done in over a year). He is amazing.
Slowly the big bad thing known as age is starting to take a toll on Papa. He is often very exhausted, has really bad arthritis, and still can't seem to get all the fluid in his lungs out. Despite not feeling good & being grumpy sometimes - he still continues to shine especially to people who know the real Victor. No matter how bad he is feeling, the smile on his face that lights up when I walk in a room is something I will never ever forget. :)
There were many times when I selfishly thought, no please don't take away Papa, he brings so much happiness to my life and so many as others. But then I realized what an amazing life he has lived - 99 years - WOW! Can you imagine all the things that can happen in that period of time?! I know I can't. I know that when it is time for him to go back to heaven and brighten the people's lives who have been missing him, it will be very hard but at the same time amazing for everybody up there. I know Grammy has been patiently waiting for quite a long time and can't wait until the day she seems him again.
Anyone that knows me well enough knows that I could go on for hours talking about my papa and telling funny stories about him. He is an irreplaceable person in my life who I am so blessed to have and has helped shape me into the person I am today. Hopefully this little tid bit gives you some insight to what an amazing person he truly is.
I LOVE YOU PAPA WITH ALL MY HEART!!!!
xo, Michelle
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