Thursday, April 18, 2019
Losing our Father is one of the most difficult things we have gone through. As I am standing up here today, I realize how fortunate we were to have him as our Father. There are not words to express his influence in our lives. It is through his example that we are all who we are today.
Our father was hardworking, strong, loving, and gentle. He loved his kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. However, he was no Saint by any means or stretch of the imagination. Like every single one of us here, he had his personal struggles. Yet, looking out at all of you here with us today, I realize that our father touched many lives and was loved by many.
As a child, I always looked forward to our aunts and uncles coming over to the house. Our uncles would tell stories about their youth, and every once in a while, usually after they had had a few beers, they would start to tell the un-edited versions of their stories. I would always learn some new information about my Dad, from when he was younger. He would always deny the bad ones, of course with a smile on his face.
I remember wondering, why does our Dad work so much? I didn't realize it then, but that was one of the biggest lessons I learned from our Dad - the value of hard work. He woke up early everyday (really early), put on his boots, and went to work to provide for our family. “Compa Mike” as he was known by his co-workers, was also held in high regards for his work ethic and willingness to help. He instilled that in each and every one of us, his children. I believe it is this example that has made each one of us a success. He truly believed that if you worked hard, treated people right, and with a little help from God through prayer, you could have a good Life.
Growing up, our father was hard. He wasn’t one to show emotion, yet we always knew he loved us. We knew this through his actions and willingness to sacrifice all to assure we were happy. As he got older, that changed and our father became more willing to show emotion. I personally believe this came when he became a grandfather. 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren gave our father such joy. Although our Dad may have seldom said it out loud, I know that he was truly proud of his children and the way we all have grown up. When we would all get together lately, he would sit and watch us all interacting, and I always saw a little smile on his face, silently pleased with how we all turned out and who we have become.
He showed strength and love right up until his last days with us. I hope that one day, when I die, my children can look back, tell funny stories about me, and talk about how I loved them and their mother. Then, like my father, I will have led a complete life.
Dad, I want to thank you for making me the man I am today and for loving my kids completely the way you did. I love you so much and know that you are and will always be with me.