My Dad's Birthday

Today would have been my Dad's 58th birthday. What a yungun he would have been still. He died 19 years ago...in July. He was 39. I can't remember what day now. His last birthday on this earth he spent with us. April and I were in his care that day because my sister, Joselyn was having a baby. He bragged to all the people at the convenience store that he was going to be a grandpa on his birthday. The baby, Shayne decided to wait until the next day to be born, but we were all still so excited.

Everyone loved my dad. All of his extended family, all of his friends, all of his neighbors. We (his immediate family) didn't really know that man. By the time I was born drugs and alcohol had taken over his mind and his heart. I hope that one day his cousins and siblings can write their stories of him down for me. I would love to have something better, happier to pass down to my children.

Today his Aunt (my great Aunt) Barbara passed away. I hope they can be together, with my grandparents, laughing and telling stories about happier days. I hope, have always hoped, that I would get to meet the man that everyone loved. I am grateful for the plan of Salvation that can make that happen one day. I don't usually cry on his birthday, but since Auntie Barbara's passing it has made today much more tender than usual. When I realized, after she'd passed, that I am now a great aunt it made it that much more sacred of a day. In the end, family is all we have.