A Tribute to My Dad

I started this post a couple of years back to help me overcome the sadness I felt after the passing of one of my most favorite people on earth, my great aunt Paola.

Today, I want to post to fight against the sadness I feel because of the loss my mom and I suffered over the summer: my dad, the wonderful person my Heavenly Father assigned to me as my Earthly Father.

He apologized in his own unique way. I will always remember when he got onto me for something I said over the phone to a friend. He only heard part of the conversation, but that was enough for him to pass judgment. After a while, and after my mom explained to him the part of the conversation he had missed, he brought me some milk and cookies. That was his way to say he was sorry. I love him for it.

He was a great provider. He worked hard on his job and around the house to always make sure my mom and I had all we needed. He was never idle. Even when he sat down, he was busy doing something.

He had hands of gold. Everything he touched turned into something beautiful. He knew how to fix everything around the house, our house, my grandparents' house, and my house.

He was ambitious but only enough to take him where he needed to be to provide for us. I remember him going to night school to get his high school degree. We shared the same table as we did homework. That degree allowed him to move up the ladder at his company until he became the right hand of the owner.

He loved us. He showed us his love by the little things he did for us. He and my mom made sacrifices so that I and my children could have what we needed.

He was a great teacher. He taught me to be frugal yet enjoy life. He taught me about the important things to look for in life. He shared his wisdom as a driver.
My most favorite quote of his: "Chi ha piu' giudizio lo usi" - he who has the most wisdom, let him use it. He always said it when we would happen to be in a situation where he might have had the right of way but the other driver was determined to go first. Wisdom trumped the rules of the road.

He was and still is a great man. I miss him terribly but I know I will see him again. Just like I will see my grandparents, my great aunts and great uncles that have passed on before me.

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, take time to write down all the good things you remember about this person. Cherish the memories and look forward to the day you will meet again.