Love Is Alligators

Late March my good friend Greg Giro passed away. A few years ago he came into our lives, when I was playing go and he walked past. 'What kind of game is that?' A question many people ask, but most of them stay for a few minutes or a few hours, and then move on. He not only was interested, but stuck around and became a good friend. He never actually played go though.

 

He would visit us regularly, and always was full of interesting stories. How he worked on the Obama campaign. How his truck was stolen in Montreal, and recovered minutes before it got shipped to Africa. He told about apple cider parties and about his building houses. He shared many pictures of his trip to California, where he got to sleep in an amazing tree nest / house. I have fond memories of him sitting on our couch, surrounded by my kids, listening to his stories, and watching his pictures.

 

He loved alligators. He would have an alligator holding his phone, another alligator living in his truck, and alligators everywhere. During March I found a perfect purple alligator in our local thrift store, and knew it was for Greg. Sadly enough, he passed away before I could give it to him. This alligator is now living in my bedroom and I consider it a gift from Greg instead, to help us remember his love and kindness. He was such a sweet and special person.

 

He spent his last few months in a hospice house in Vermont, and I am happy we got to visit him there a few times, and be with him during the last months of his life. The second and third pictures of this post have been taken in his room in the hospice house.

 

When the kids heard he had passed away, the littles told me that now he must be somewhere with many alligators. Sylvia made sure to clarify it by saying 'Nice alligators!' She has been sending positive energy to him by imagining him on a beach and other peaceful and calm places. She felt that he would get great pleasure out of the sand and the water. I agree.

Happy Love Thursday! We miss you, Greg.