my inspiration.

these are my great grandparents. william and constance. bumpa and nana. their love and life is/has been the most inspiring thing in my life, and I'm so lucky to have gotten to not just know them, but to have developed a relationship with them all the way into my twenties. not many people can say that about their great grandparents, or even their grandparents. my bumpa passed away last sunday (march 9th), even though it's very sad, we all knew it was coming, so we were able to say goodbyes, see family, share stories, reminisce, laugh, cry, and listen. he left behind a beautiful wife of seventy-one years, three children, five (plus two step) grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. 

he and my nana met when they were eleven and twelve years old. she's ninety three and he was ninety four. he fought for our country, he/they traveled the world, collected things from every place they went (and even though that made for a lot of things all around the house, they are such great treasures to leave behind).
to me they were/are who I want to be seventy years down the road. their marriage was so cute, i couldn't help bust smile every time i was around them. in the end, it was hard for him to hear my nana's soft quiet voice, but they still held hands every night.
he could still recall every moment of his life, recite poems, sing songs, it was pretty amazing. I want to be like that. he/they read books, took walks, camped, listened to music, learned all sorts of things. spent their time on things meaningful. I look at the generations now (even myself), it makes me sad to see how people value their time now a days. I don't want to waste my life, I want to live and inspire others. just like them. I'm so proud to be a part of their family. he will forever be in my heart.

he was in the Navy.

standing in the spot they met when they were just kids. 

my second birthday.