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What a wonderful man you were, Raising 5 children.  Trying so hard to teach us right from wrong.  I remember as a small girl I would sit alone and write a lot, and just being there not doing anything and you always wanting to know if I was ok.  You were always so worried, always making sure I knew I was " Your little girl," and how you felt.  Always making sure each of us knew we were so loved, always there to pick me up when I would fall.

I remember going to the place you worked, and all the fancy pastries you made, and we couldn't get enough. The smell of "you," still to this day, lingers in my mind.  I still see you standing there in that doorway of our home, telling us to be careful riding our bikes.  The trips we would take in your car to your parents home singing Bobby Vinton songs.  So many cherished memories of you.

I remember the first boyfriend I had, and you were so angry with me.  Standing in the hall, telling mother I was too young to have a boyfriend.  Soon though, with that loving understanding father's heart, you let it go, and I soon learned it was letting go of " your little girl" you were so upset with, not the boyfriend.  I was growing up before your very eyes, and you weren't ready for that.

I remember the day I got the call you had passed away.  I was so scared, so hurt.  It couldn't be.  You weren't gone, you were just at work.  You had to be, you couldn't leave this world.  What would we do without you?  Who would make all those pastries for everyone to enjoy?  This couldn't be.  We lived so far apart, and I felt so quilty.  I should be there with you, not living 1000 miles away.

You were in life, as you are now, in my heart and soul.  A strong man with hands of steel, yet would forever pick me up with such a gentle touch that you could feel his high hopes for his daughter, always Loving unconditionally.

When the sun shines it's warmth I feel as if you are smiling upon me, giving me the warmth of love in my heart from " My Daddy".....

I know you are in heaven now, and I know every day you look down and watch over me and my family.  I know even from so high up, you still try to protect me from life's hurts.