One Special Nite

Last nite I was able to be a part of something very special and memorable. My Great Uncle Frank "Frankie"Sciulli was inducted in to the Pittsburgh Penguins hall of fame. Man, what an honor...and what a person he truly was. Sadly, my Uncle didn't live long enough to see his name enshrined with the immortals but his spirit was ever present and alive in his family which was all together. I was so sad that he wasn't there to see the fruits of his labor but I was so proud of his accomplishments. His life was a lesson that we all should live by. Of small things, great things come. He was small in stature and small in voice but large in love and large in the thing that matters most...Respect....I find it hard to believe that any one man could have left a lasting impression that covers decades and generations like my uncle did. He carried himself with a dignity that I could only hope to have one day. Though he wasn't there in body he did something that hasn't happened for a very long time. My Cousin Diane pointed out that the family had never been to a sporting event all together at one time. I thought about that last nite when it was all quiet and realized that only you Uncle Frank could do that. You continue to provide the guidance and strength even though you are gone. Look at what you did...you brought us all together once again. I am a young man but this nite will be one that will never fade away. The colors, the laughs, the tears, and the pride will always drive me to chase that feeling over again for the rest of my life. To my family, I love you guys so much and am so proud to be a part of your lives. Frankie and Biba, you have raised beautiful children and they reflect your class and humility. I hope someday my children are as beautiful. Greg and Diane, your boys are stunning, young men and have the whole world as their playground. I want to be them so bad!!!! Rosella, I love you so much I wish you knew. Everything that you and I have shared thru the years is something that I keep locked away inside so I know it is always there for me and I don't have to share it with anyone. In the end, it didn't matter who won and who lost last nite because we all won. I hope this thanksgiving we can all stop for a moment and recognize the gifts we have been given. The biggest one being Life...it is something that always is mystical, magical, and ever changing. Life will always go forward and we will go with it. That is the way Uncle Frank, Pop Pop, Dad would have wanted it. It is the only way I know.