I've been given an unusual but desired Christmas present. My great-uncle passed away yesterday, and while I love him and will miss him greatly, it's for the best. He was another of my surrogate grandfathers and lived with passion and grace for 91 years, but had been struggling with Stage 4 cancer for the past 5 years. About a month ago the brain tumor started interfering with his balance and for the past three weeks he's been bedridden, something that is directly opposite to his nature. One of his favorite pieces of advice about getting older was succinct and true: keep moving.

I've seen family members linger in that state or worse for months on end so a relatively quick death is truly a blessing. He wasn't going to recover, and the longer he lasted the more frustrated and unhappy he would have become, so all I can say is thank God.

Uncle Vito, I love you and hope you and Aunt Helen are reunited if there's an afterlife. I'll always be grateful that you were in my life and willing to act as our grandfather. Rest in peace.