Aniko Giampietro

Yes, we lost my Apuka (Daddy in Hungarian) In a blink of an eye. That is how quickly life goes and that is how fast we lost our Apuka. He was not sick at all. We all spoke to him in the morning as usual. I spoke to him int he morning as I do everyday and tell him that I love him as I do always.

April 23, 2010 – 6:44 PM, I was in the car when Joe was driving and I got the phone call. My father was visiting my grandmother in the nursing home. He collapsed and passed away. My strong, loving, giving, pure servant (father, husband and son) left us and went home to Jesus.

Life is too short. It is so important to cherish every moment and and our loved ones.

My mother, sister and I can truly say that we embraced every moment we had together. We kept our priorities straight. We made sure we saw each other at least once a week. We spoke on the phone daily and told each other always that we love each other. We planned activities at least monthly to create memories. (No Regrets).

I have albums filled with memories. Apuka (Daddy) said “YES” to life and every actvity. We are happy that we created so many memories versus some that see each other a few times a year. We made sure that family was always the priority and nothing ever got in the way of that.

He loved going horseback riding, tubing on the Deleware, golfing, bowling, picnics in the park and cherising the little things.

That is what life is made up of. It is a journey of memories. You only take your memories, the love that you gave and how you served with you. That is it and Apuka lived his dash to the fullest. He lived the wealthiest life anyone could live.

I cannot tell you how many people have come up to us even at our weddings last year when they saw our family together and now at my father’s funeral (even the nun) saying that the love that our family has is very unique and rare. It is, we are a very close family. We make sure that we express our love with words, hugs, planning activities, getting together weekly, gifts, cards (in every way we can). It was an abundance in all areas.

It is very rare and unique that most do not get to experience in a lifetime. We have had friends come up to us and say they wish they were as close with their parents or a spousal relationship like my mom had. I know many would be grateful if it was a small percentage. The nun even said she wasn’t that close with her father. She said most people that she speaks to after a parent or spouse passes shares their regrets of not spending enough time or seeing loved ones enough.

Then it hit me. There is a great book called, “The Five Love Languages”. There is a version for parents as well. My dad and mom never read this but I have.

The book states the 5 primary ways that people express their love. Everyone has one maybe two major ways they express their love and therefore receive their love.

1. Words of affirmation – expressing love in words
2. Physical touch – hugs
3. Acts of service – doing things for the other person that are special
4. Gifts – small or big, giving gifts
5. Quality time – spending time together

Then it hit me. Wow, it is rare. My father and mother continuously expressed their love all 5 ways. This is rare and unheard of. I am so blessed and grateful.

My father is the wealthiest man I know. He served unconditionally. My mother, sister and I are the wealthiest because of him.

I have lived such an amazing life because of their love.

We have received phone calls from other children saying that my dad was so amazing, they wish they could say the same about their father who is alive.

Thank you Apuka for your love and lessons. I know you are with Jesus now. I miss you so much.

I have put together this first video with my Apuka (my daddy) and the song we danced to on my wedding day last year. (Butterfly Kisses)

Thank you Apuka, I am so blessed that I had such an amazing, loving Apuka. I know you are in Heaven but with me everyday.

You are amazing. I love you so much Apuka. I miss you so much!

This entry was posted on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at 1:02 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.