Until we meet again...

Last Friday, Papa passed away. It all happened too fast. I had just given birth to twins, and found myself a thousand miles away when all I wanted was to hold his hand and say goodbye.

I know that we'll be together again- that he'll still carry a comb in his pocket and wear fancy leather sandals on his feet, that he'll call me "Brissy" and welcome me to heaven with the kindest smile on his face. The inappropriate jokes will be toned down some, but I hope they still make Nani roll her eyes in his direction. 

There are only good memories to share: of motor-home trips all over the country, of family dinners at the Hacienda, of a thousand football games with his arm around me, of a lifetime of vacations to San Felipe, of meaningful talks about life and history and politics, and twenty-five years of the most unconditional tenderness any granddaughter could dream of.

Until we meet again, all my love, Papa.