Lukas Byron Kraft is Sylvio's fourth great-grandchild. Sylvio met him onlybriefly, since he was on his way to a better place on the day commemoratingLukas' first week in this world. I'm not sure whether Sylvio, or "Peps", aswe grandkids knew him, saw Lukas, but shortly before bringing the baby in Iwas able to share some photos with Pepere, which I'm pretty sure he saw.
While feeding Lukas a couple minutes ago, I let myself reminisce, afterhaving just read my Aunt Beth's story of her special memories of her father.Holding the baby in my arms, in itself, often awakes many emotions in me.I'm reminded of stories of my grandfather rocking me until I fell asleep andcan envision him gazing at me just as I gaze at my baby in wonder. He toldme later that the lullaby he used to sing to me began with "I've a dearlittke dolly, and her eyes are bright blue, she can open and close them, andshe smiles at me, too. But I love best to hold her at the end of each day."That's actually the only lullaby I know, and when I saw Peps last I told himthat I now sing it to my son.
I think Pepere had more time to appreciate children as he got older, and asyears passed he grew more patient, too. Pepere loved babies. Only a monthago he had a huge smile on his face as my cousin Tiffany placed his thirdgreat-grandchild, little baby Anika, on his lap. And he was so excited forTobi and I. During my pregnancy, he loved to feel the baby kick and movearound inside of my huge belly. Often I'd bring Felix, my chocolate labradorpuppy up to see him. He loved Felix and would laugh when Felix would givehim a big kiss on the cheek. When the time came for me to leave the nursinghome, I'd say "I love you" and when he felt up to it, he would answer mewith "I love you, too". Those are my most recent memories of him.
Going back in time, I remember Pepere as an incredibly generous man, whogave all that he had of himself for those that he loved. When it came to hischildren and grandchildren, there was no such thing as "too late" or "tooearly". He was always there. From rushing to my mother's side when hesuspected domestic abuse, to straightening things out the police officerafter his son was caught "mooning" a friend, it's the stuff that legends are made of. He was also known to pick family members up from the airport at all hours of the night. And he was so hospitable. Kids and grandkids were always welcome in his house. My sistersand I spent a lot of time there growing up, and while I was in college I was fortunate enough to live with Grandpa and Grandma (for a little over a year).
Going back a bit further, my fondest memories of Peps are surprisingly thosewhere I got in trouble and was sent to my room (which I think was actuallyPaul's room at the time), where I would then count down for Pepere to comeknock on the door with a fudgicle. Oh and how I loved the nights where wewould all sit in the living room watching wholesome shows like "FamilyTies", "The Cosby Show", "Who's the Boss", or "Highway to Heaven".
And then there was the time when I got hit by a car when riding my bike backfrom a friend's house. I was later told that that was one of the few timesthat Pepere actually cried in his adult life.
Sylvio Hamel has been one of the most important men in my life, second onlyto my husband, so it was entirely appropriate that he "give me away" on theevening of my wedding. That night may have been one of the last times thathe danced, or even walked for that matter, but he continued to celebratelife as best he could in the years that followed, surrounded by those thathe loved.
I'm not sad that Sylvio has passed on. It was time. The tears I shed aretears of joy - for all of the wonderful memories I have of him. This is mycontribution to the celebration of his life.
-Elise
ANONYMOUS
02/11/2006
