Today is a sad day for my family. My husband's father died this afternoon. He had been suffering with Lewy Body dementia and had had several strokes in the last few months. This is the end of an arduous journey for my mother-in-law, my husband, and his sister and brother. My husband's father was the son of Italian immigrants who came to America to build a good life for themselves and for their children. My father-in-law was the middle child of seven. Among all of the brothers and sister's, my father-in-law was the "go-to" guy. Even though he was not the oldest brother, he was the one they all looked up to. Even up until a few months ago, everyone believed he was a rock. He was the first one of his siblings to take classes in college. He was the first of the siblings to become successful and very well off. He took care of his brothers and sisters needs should any come up. He always helped them out. He was loyal, almost to a fault, to his brothers and sisters. He always spoke fondly of his parents who worked so hard to make a life here in America, even though they could not (and never did) speak fluent English, they brought up a son who was loyal and giving. I am fortunate to have married the son of this loyal son. Now that he has passed, my husband is the one whom everyone will be looking to for guidance. It seems a large vacancy to fill, but as Italian families go, my husband is the one who inherits this place in the family. The death of loved one is never easy. The long dying process that goes along with Alzheimer's Disease, and Lewy Body Dementia, and strokes are nearly unbearable. He actually left this world and its reality a year ago and his body is only now catching up. Yes, it is a sad day, but also a day of new beginnings and a time to move forward.