On February 15, 2009 my grandfather passed away unexpectedly. He was a great man who had been married to my Nana for 61 years. He had five sons and two daughters, 17 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

All my life, I have always felt blessed because I had both sets of grandparents in my life and the lives of my children. I have very special memories with each of them as do my kids. I guess I took it for granted that they would always be there.

Losing my Papa made me realize that there were times I let pass by that I shouldn't have. All the times I wanted to go and visit and didn't because there were things that came up and I ended not being able to go.

I am not ignorant to the fact that the circle of life must complete its self. We all live and we all die. I guess in my mind, I ignored that. I have never imagined my life without him or any of my grandparents.

Time passes quickly and the chances and moments missed go with it.

I learned that it is a gift to be able to capture the moments in life and hold on to them. That with the busy schedules and the ups and downs in life, we should still find the time to value and treasure those that mean the most to us. Let there be no time for regrets.

Capture the Moments

Time changes like the wind

In breath it can be gone

In a breath it can begin

Treasure your family

young and old

Their love is held tight in your soul

Cherish each moment

And lock it in your heart

Rise with it each morning

Sleep with it each night

The strength of love binds you tight

Let not the struggles in the journy of life

Blind you and close your eyes

To the ones who make up your family

The heart and soul and the love of each

In Memory

In the memory of a special, wonderful man.

Joseph Kalish ( Papa )