Eighty years separates them, yet they speak to one another joyfully.
His child and her parent are the link between them, yet there is more than just common DNA.
In the background sits a piece of furniture that belonged to him for 35+ years, it sits in her house now.
She sits in her modified chair and he sits in his wheelchair.
They share a moment on Christmas Day...they're alone in the dining room after Christmas Brunch.
Ella is surrounded by so many loving family members. She delights in visiting with her maternal Gramma and Grandpa at their house and dances for joy when she knows that they are coming to visit her. She loves dearly her Auntie Annie and Uncle Noah along with their newborn little girl, Caroline. She screeches with delight at the prospect of seeing Auntie Sarah, Uncle Brad, and cousins Conner and Johnny. Her eyes light up when Mary and her dog, Link come to visit. Her playfulness comes out when visiting with Uncle Andy, Aunt Beth, and cousins Sami and Joe. She is surrounded by wonderful family members.
She has one more family member...Papou (Greek for grandfather). Father of Michael, Papou lives alone in an assisted living facility. Ella's Yiayia (Greek for grandmother), Papou's late wife, passed away during the summer of 2008, almost two years before Ella's birth. Papou sees Ella considerably less than much of her extended family, yet...she loves him with a special love that only a granddaughter can bestow upon an aging Papou. She doesn't get outwardly excited, she doesn't sing and shake herself, she doesn't screech in delight when she knows she will be seeing Papou...instead, she seems to have a quiet pleasure about her. She wants to be with him. She wants to talk to him. She wants to know him as much as a 2 year-old could know an 82 year-old.
Ella and Papou spent a short time together on Christmas Day. It was, however, quality time that brought their two souls closer to one another.
