<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1142" title="michelle3" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle3-298x300.jpg" alt="" width="298" height="300" /></a>Dear Friends,

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<p>My beloved grandfather passed away early this morning.  I need time to grieve and spend time with my family.  I will return to the blog in a week or two. 

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<p>Thank you for your support during this past month, and I look forward to sharing more curious adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. 

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<p>Best,

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<p>Michelle

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[caption id="attachment_1155" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Thank you for the best childhood memories, Papa. "]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1155" title="michelle6" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle61-300x227.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="227" /></a>[/caption]

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<p>       <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle41.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1160" title="michelle4" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle41-205x300.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="300" /></a>                  

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/papaimmigration.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1163" title="papaimmigration" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/papaimmigration-300x203.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="203" /></a>

<p>My Papa was a Portuguese immigrant who came to this country, started his own business, and worked hard to achieve his success.  He was a Purple Heart veteran of World War II<br class="spacer_" />

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<p>He always put his family first, and he was a beautiful, gentle soul.  I love you, Papa.  <br class="spacer_" />

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<p><br class="spacer_" /> <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1166" title="michelle2" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/michelle2-201x300.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="300" /></a><br class="spacer_" />Nana and Papa on their wedding day -- April 19th, 1942.  <br class="spacer_" />

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