Dear Grom-pah (Grandpa)/Tatay,First and foremost, I miss you so much! I wish we would have had a little more time spent together. However, I understand that God needs the best gardener and craftsman who always has different perspectives and angles on situations. I loved that so much about you. Throughout my life you were able to instill in me: “If your going to do the job, do it right–no short-cuts.” I will always remember throughout the times you have lived with us (Janet and the Kids), all the stories and life lessons you shared with me. One of my favorite stories was the time you and Grandpa Felimon would play pranks on great Tatay and climb telephone poles to escape the wrath and then he would wait under the telephone pole until dark and you would get hungry and come down only to get “THE STICK!” (Sounds a lot like me! LOL) One of my favorite moments is when the car (blue Chrysler @ San Pablo Ct.) would not start and you went to your table and cut a piece of cardboard from the backing of a notepad–stuck it in the car and it started. LOL Another memory was your fishing techniques on the boat. Then there’s the broken refrigerator converted into a wheel barrow, the cherry picker made out of two wooden planks and an empty coffee can made in 5 minutes, the reversing on the freeway–there are SO many! Thank you for all these great memories–the bad, sad, and all the happy ones. Although very reserved around some people, your kids and especially grandchildren knew under that veil of seriousness was a kind, caring, and funny man who could brighten up ANY room with your intoxicating laugh! I know you were always worrisome about Nanay/ Grom-ma (Grandma) and how hard it may be for Nanay when your gone, but you’ve got to remember you have left her with a tight-knit, loving, and caring family that was established and cultivated by you. So don’t worry–get things ready there in heaven for all of us–we will take care of Nanay. This letter does no justice in telling you how much I miss and love you, however, it is just a letter to help remind me and your kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and future great grandchildren etc. all the sad, bad, and good times we shared. Until we meet again, make sure you have a bigger stick ready for me and that your garden in heaven is not as big as the one you had in San Pablo Court because now that I am bigger and faster, you are going to have a harder time catching me through your green bean patches. We miss you so much grandpa and you will always hold a special place in mine and my family’s heart. The legacy you’ve created and have left behind will be carried by many–regardless if our last names are not Barbante–we are all Barbante and have a little Grandpa/Rafael Barbante in us all and for this we will carry on what you have established. You will forever be missed, loved, and remembered. We love you grom-pa!Love your first grandson,Adonis##imported-begin##Adonis Era##imported-end##
