Giovanni

It’s hard to find the right words to describe the deep sadness that I feel from the passing of my dad. He was simply the funniest, most loving, accepting, patient, and nurturing father anyone could ever ask for. I feel like I won the lottery with him.

By just being himself, he taught me so much about life. How to lift people up when they’re down, how to love unconditionally, how to accept others even if we don’t fully understand them, how to be patient when lashing out seems like the easier path, and how to bring people together over a good meal, music, or dance.

I’ll truly never know a better man.

I always imagined that my family and I would have him until old age. But God/the Universe had other plans, and dad left us with one last reminder to enjoy the present, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

If I have any comfort in his passing, it’s knowing that he lived a rich life where he knew he was immensely loved and appreciated by his family and seemingly endless list of friends, and where he got to see the world and enjoy Earth’s bountiful experiences.

There never has been and there never will be a day where I don’t think of him. And for that, I am eternally grateful.