In Spring 2020, we walked behind our house by the bay not knowing that each house we passed held family inside.
I didn’t know that Damon and Chloe would be swinging on the swings. Filling the air with laughter, jumping in the bay, and in the puddles when it rained.
I didn’t know the O’Donnells, the Phillips, Marlene, and the DiNunzios yet, or Johnny and Alicia. What I did know that there was a guy from the first blue house who kept being really nice to me, saying hi, and welcoming us into his home to hang out.
But I was down and out over my Grandmom, and kept to myself at first.
Plus, if you know me I don’t always trust many people at first, so can be a loner at times. But as the days passed, he never stopped initiating a friendship and was always being so thoughtful.
I wondered how can someone possibly be this nice? He gave me hope that there are still good people in this world! It was too good to be true to have gained such a great neighbor, who shortly after turned into family. And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, because little Christian takes just after him!! Humble and good hearted!! Not only was he Damon’s friend, but truly my friend, and our son’s as well. He was a genuine friend, a friend that had the best interest of people’s entire family. Not what I’m use to. He was a true family man. He friended all of the families up the street in that very same way, and brought us together as one big family!! He truly cares about everyone. And always lifts your spirits. When he talked to you he meant it, he looked into your eyes with respect and undivided attention, even with the kids he had a special way in making them feel safe, important, and loved. When unfortunately, when I look around I see many adults shun kids away. He listened closely, never missing a beat. Always full of surprises and lots laughter.
During a time, when I lost my Grandmom, the head of my family, who was a very positive person in my life, a safe haven, and always a person who we gathered around the table with...Chris came into our lives and brought that all back as if I have never lost it. He truly filled a void for me.
We walked into his house as if it was our own home, open the fridge as if it were our fridge. Because it was our second home.
We gathered at his giant table night after night, we ate, talked for hours upon hours, told stories, played board games, cards, sang karokee, and laughed our heads off.
We had our inside jokes and our favorite sayings.
Countless memories we have on his dock, out on the jet skis, fishing, swimming and swinging off the rope at what I like to call “Cabana Island”.
He was always so thoughtful. He had a heart of gold that never failed to tug on your heart strings. He just had a way about him. He was the best guy I have ever crossed paths with.
In one year, he has made such a huge impact on us! We feel as if a piece of our hearts were ripped from us. So my prayers and love go to Christian and the rest of the family who have always been in his life for I cannot imagine. But you were lucky to have him in this lifetime as your dad. Some people never get that at all. There are no words. We are forever grateful that we crossed paths with him! We will miss him immensely, his laugh, smile, and all of our talks. Of all the summers, I wish that this was an endless one!!! If I could replay it on repeat like I do the Morse Code of Love I would. We will always cherish the memories we made. If I knew that night was the last night I’d see you, when I lifted my glass this would have been my toast to you!
You will always be in our hearts!
Love, Gia, Damon, and little Dam xoxo