Poppy Will Always Fly With Us

Poppy’s 73rd birthday party, 18 days before his passing

My parents never expected to become parents so young, my mom in college, my dad in graduate school. They were just starting their adult lives. Money was scarce and now there was a tiny human who needed everything

We talk of how parents watch their children blossom, but I never knew that I would watch my dad blossom. No one has worked harder than my dad to become more and more the person he wanted to be. His joy, his humor, his love of travel and adventure, meditation, diving, social connections, motorcycling, ballroom dancing, his development of inner peace and centeredness. He lived out his dreams.

When his grandchildren were born, he rearranged his life to center around them. He surrounded his children and grandchildren with love. He used to say that he wished he had worked less, played more and been slower to anger when his kids were young. That realization strengthened his determination to give his family every ounce of his being. Beaches, baseball games, horse racing, trampoline parks, glass pumpkin shows, zoos, more beaches, science museums, pools, amusement parks, theme parks, even more beaches. 

Poppy Flies With Us, I dubbed him after I started writing as Mom Flies Solo. But now Poppy flies solo. And I imagine him fulfilling his last dream of hang gliding off of a peak in the Andes. Free and peaceful, hovering above us. We love you and we miss you.

https://www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com/obituary/joseph-fiala

Mom Flies Solo

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16 responses to “Poppy Will Always Fly With Us”

  1. I am so sorry, Michele. Your post is heartbreaking. He sounds like a great person and a terrific role model for you, for Scott, for everyone.

  3. Everyone who knew poppy Joe understands how hard it was that he left family and friends. He’ll be missed and remembered. Sending comfort and love to you and Scott💞

  4. A beautiful lasting image “I imagine him fulfilling his last dream of hang gliding off of a peak in the Andes. Free and peaceful, hovering above us”.

    • He had talked about that when we were in Hawaii this summer. I hope he is experiencing it now!

  7. Beautiful tribute Michele; I’m still in disbelief. We all had so much to learn from him.