I started writing this a year after you had left us. But never got around to finishing it. I miss you dearly.

I am writing this to celebrate the great and wonderful man, husband, father, and grandfather that you are.

You have lived a great life. You may not know it, believe it, or want to admit it – but you did.

Others boast of land and riches and fame but, you…

Yours is of strength, of courage, of hope, of faith, of love, of dignity, plenty of sacrifices and difficulties, of unaccounted triumphs, hidden humility, and so much love. I don’t think I can summarize how great of a man you are and how inspiring of a life you have had.

We all knew how much you wanted to leave us with land of our own. You always said that it was your dream to be able to buy land that you can leave us. Though you may not have accomplished your dreams of leaving us with material richness, you have left us with so much more – things that can’t be bought. And I am truly grateful for that.

It seems like we moved on with our everyday lives, but really, it’s not the same without you. I can’t imagine how hard it is for Mang with you not being at her side. I wonder how often she thinks about you and is just not telling us?

Last night, I saw you in my dreams with teary eyes. You even tried to hide it from me. But in the end, you couldn’t help but sob uncontrollably and it broke my heart to pieces. Was there anything you wanted to tell me?

I always look forward to my dreams about you or with you in it. I always look forward to your visits.

I’ll be home in a few days and I can’t wait to spend time with Mang and you. This time, I’ll be closer. I know deep in my heart that you still long for those visits and togetherness more than anything. I’ll be home soon.

Today, I celebrate you Daddy.

All my love.