It’s been over 22 years since you
passed away and not a minute goes by that I don’t miss you. I remember
your colorful expressions during Ohio State football games and when we kids got
into trouble. What I really miss is your advice dad. I understand now
what struggles and sacrifices you and Mom made to make it a better world for
us. I understand now the pain you endured during your illness and how
spiritually strong you were.
They say it takes a lot to move a
heavy stone but very little to move the human heart. I did not tell you
how I felt because, being men, that was certainly taboo. And for an
ex-Army soldier even more so.
I suppose we expressed our love
through the actions we took and in the things we did for the family. I so
wanted to tell you how much I loved you. I wanted you to know how much I
appreciated what you did for us and the chances you gave to us in life. I
will never forget your service to our country and being a part of the ‘Greatest
Generation’. The peace you won still allows us the freedom to try and
accomplish anything we set out to do.
I hope that I was not a
disappointment to you dad. I always wanted you to be proud of the man I
have become. I hope you are. If you were here today, I would hug
you every night and tell you that ‘I love you’ because life is just too short
not to say the things that are in your heart. It seems as in an instant,
you are born, you live and then you are gone.
There is this scholar named Dr.
Donald De Marco who said that ‘fatherhood means being a lover without being
sentimental and being a supporter without being subordinate’. You were
all these things and more. I hope you know how important you were to me
and to the rest of the kids.
I hope you are listening. It
is hard for me not to show my emotions and, I admit, I am shedding a tear or
two. I hope you understand. Tell mom I miss her too, I hope she is
doing alright. I will see you when I get there.
Love your son,
Joey