My grandfather recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Gramps, or Ugly, as he is affectionately referred by us grandkids was born August 25, 1909. 1909….it’s so crazy to me to think that he has lived through almost an entire century. He has lived through two World Wars and remembers clearly the transition from horse and cart to engine-run automobiles. He saw the invention of television, rock and roll, talking motion pictures and penicillin. And before he was 30, he was introduced to frozen food, bubblegum, canned beer, nylon and the ball point pen….all things we take for granted today.

He often tells the story of how he used to ride in the back of his father’s old wind up pick up truck to deliver vegetables from the family farm in Arlington to Fanueil Hall, when Haymarket was a hub for farmers looking to sell their goods.

Despite all his years, my grandfather still acts and looks much as he has my entire life. He definitely moves slower now than when I was a kid, and you have to shout when you talk to him. But, he is still the feisty, lovable, funny Ugly I have always known.

Here he is directing the family in song as we sing Happy Birthday at his party a couple of weekend’s ago. He’s such a clown!

And here he is diving in to his strawberry shortcake birthday cake. I just love the cheeky child-like look in his eyes in the photo on the right. He had just finished sucking a big piece of cake off of the knife. Just goes to show, you’re never too old to enjoy good cake!

I get sad when I think about how little time I have left with this incredible, warm, generous, smart, funny man. Gramps has been a constant loving presence in my life since the day I was born. When my parents first married, they lived on the middle floor in a three-story apartment that Gramps owned in East Boston. My great-grandmother lived on the top floor and my second cousins lived on the first floor with their mother, my grandfather’s sister Viola. Even though we moved to a house in Melrose when I was 3, just after my sister Debbie was born, I can still remember my first home and the strong sense of family that was nurtured there.

Since that time, there have been many more memories created with my family and central to most of them is my grandfather. He and my grandmother, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 98, have always been the glue that holds our family together. Holiday dinners were spent around their kitchen table. Many summer days were spent playing in their backyard, picking Gramps’ fresh vegetables from his garden and eating…always eating!

Every year when I was young, my grandfather and his siblings organized their families for the annual Ferullo Family picnic at Kingston State Park. It was the best part of my summer. I got to reunite with all of my cousins for a fun day filled with oodles of hugs & kisses, laughter, swimming, family games and of course…eating! Lots of good eating!

I could never visit my grandparents’ house without Gramps and Grams trying to give us something – a rewired lamp, mismatched sheets, or delicious leftovers. Gramps has always given what he could to his family. Even today, he is still this way, taking extra fruit from the assisted living facility cafeteria to give to us when we visit.

Here he gives his sister, Mary, a blanket and makes sure she’s comfortable. I just love this man to pieces!

My grandfather has taught me many things–how to refinish furniture and pick a fresh carrot. He taught me to appreciate simple food made with love and showed me that a good marriage isn’t always perfect. He taught me how not to drive and how difficult getting old can be. But, the biggest thing I have learned from my grandfather has been the importance of family, that riches don’t come from money, but from the comfort you get in knowing you have people who love you and will always be there for you, no matter what!

It’s always been about family with my Gramps. Here my sisters and I share a little family time with Gramps. Again, always the jokester he pulls a funny face! Don’t let him fool you though….he really loves those moments when we all fawn over him!

Here he gets some lovin’ from Sadie. She knows a good man when she sees one. (I don’t know why, but Sadie goes in to all of her kisses with an open mouth….she’s hysterical! I just love this series, how you can tell she’s checking Gramps out, decides he’s good for kissin’ and goes in for it whole heartedly! Too funny!)

And here the three Michaels get together for a picture. Gramps, my dad and my nephew are all named Michael…but there’s only one Ugly!!! (I love the way my dad laughs. It’s hard not to laugh when he does….although little Michael just looks confused.)

In celebration of this legend of a man, my aunt hosted Gramp’s birthday party at her house. Our whole family came out to celebrate, my sisters and their families, my cousins and their families. Even three of my grandfather’s younger sisters and their families came out to honor the eldest Ferullo son. It was like the reunions of yesteryear. The memories came flooding back.

My cousin, Mayrlee, (seen in the below photo) gave my grandfather the coolest present. She collected old and not-so-old photos from everyone in the family and put together a wonderful book for Gramps. His memory isn’t what it used to be, but with a little help he remembered and you could see that he too was being flooded with memories of bygone days.

Here he looks at a photo of my grandmother with my two aunts. She was such a strong and beautiful woman my Grandma!!!

I can’t help thinking what a strange phase of life this must be for Gramps. All of his kids are grown. His wife of 63 years is gone. His friends are all gone as are most of his siblings. Even the grandkids he used to bounce on his knee not so long ago now have children of their own. Today, home for Ugly isn’t the humble ranch in which he spent so many years. Instead, it is a nearby assisted living facility shared with other elderly folks who are just waiting for their time to go.

As wonderful as his birthday was, it was also a bitter reminder that I don’t have much time left with him. I know none of us can live forever, but the thought of losing my Ugly breaks my heart and I just can’t imagine life without him. He isn’t just my grandfather – my Gramps, my Ugly. He is my very dear friend.

Gramps went into the hospital unexpectedly the other day with an irregular heartbeat and what they thought was an infection. It turns out he has gallstones. It’s been a bit of a scare, since any trips to the hospital at this age could mean the beginning of the end. We’re all really worried about him. Andy & I are off to visit him at the hospital today. If you think of it, say a prayer for Ugly and hold tightly to the ones you love!