As I wrote on Facebook a few years ago: “Grandfather’s birthday today. And Canada’s. Further celebrating celebrities: Lady Di, Debbie Harry, Pamela Anderson and Missy Elliott. Grandma kicks all their asses.”
To the man with the good taste, my grandfather Janez:

You would be 103 years old today. I have your son here and could check this info with him. And your daughter, my mother, has carried your combined smile all the way over to me.

Here are two photos that I keep repeating on every blog but they are pretty spectacular and my father is to be praised for them. In the first, my entire mother’s side of the family (in the same garden that follows), and in the second I with both sets of grandparents on a trip:
Mom, me, grandma, great-grandma, uncle (visiting now), grandpa. I recognise your smirk from the mirror. Photo: BM Here you are with the hat, and your wife is pointing in the distance. Photo: BM
And now here are some photos from your garden in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where I grew up, full of lovely memories. There is also one of your old house where you raised your family, and the last photo is from where you rest now. You’ll be happy to see the garden still looking great, with some minor surprises. (No, we didn’t put in a swimming-pool. Yet.)
Unsurprisingly, knowing you, your son is still full of fun. (And here is the maple you planted!) And your daughter is still full of life. She found these disco balls somewhere and hung one in each of our gardens. (Mine is in Tuscany. Don’t ask.) This is still the party garden. Yes, your younger granddaughter is beyond 40 now. (I know! What does that make me??) No, your daughter didn’t learn accordion. Fake it till you make it. (There exists something like USB… Well, it plays by itself.) Yes, I know. There is a dog in your garden. Sorry. (Not sorry! He’s ours!) And look, there is an Italian on your porch! (As I said, don’t ask…) Ooops, two dogs. And look, there are tables on the grass! (But your son authorised it.) There are also gentler creatures. And what does your son do last before taking me back to Tuscany when the summer is over? Pick his own radicchio! I bet you didn’t see this coming! Your garden is still gorgeous in all seasons: after summer rain. October’s multicolours. In wintertime. In a very wet May like this year’s. The previous house where you raised your family. Last year mom took me to see it for the first time. Everything around it is new but the house still stands. On this day last year (clearly a cold start of July!) mom and I went to greet you and passed this church that made you so angry. Praying that their too loud automated bells stop. Here you are, next to your Nada. Her name means Hope. It is too far to hear the bells.
Grandpa, as you can see, all is well even though I’m a bit far. But no worries, I’ll always be coming back. Thank you for everything but especially for the garden. Oh! And daughter!
You *do* have his smirk. What a superb legacy, and what a good birthday party.
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😉 Thank you, cara Kara. The legacy is indeed a bounty. Here are images from various parties, though. We tend to do it a lot. 😀 (Unless you meant this entire post as a party because it surely is.)
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Wonderful! Thanks for posting this; we need to be reminded of the good and gentle in these times.
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Thank you for saying this, Mikels. 🙂 I try and tend to concentrate on it but the times are indeed testing.
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It is indeed a beautiful garden, and still vibrant and full of life and family. As it should be! (K)
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Thank you so much, K. 🙂 I’m glad you get this from the images.
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Such lovely memories of grandpa! I feel like I know him. And yes, Happy Canada to our Canadian friends.
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This is great to hear, Jan. 🙂 He was quite a character. Thank you!
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What a tender tribute. It is clear you are a close and loving family. No wonder you are such a sweet person, growing up with so much love around you.
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Thank you so much, Amanda. 🙂 I’m glad you say this! No doubt about the love. It’s been a constant.
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I love this conversation with your grandfather!
I believe that a person lives as long as there is someone to remember them ❤️
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Thank you so much, Joanne! 🙂 I’m sure this is correct.
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What a lovely post. And I so wanted to sit at that long table under the trees with a group of friends and family. I could hear everyone talking at once…..
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This is a nice thought, Chris, thank you! 🙂 You are right though, we can be more Italian than Italians in talking. 😉
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