...

You greeted me every single time with an, "Oh hello!!", like you were truly greeting an old friend.  You always had a genuine smile on your face.  Every single time I passed through the drive-thru to your greeting and smile you took the time to chat before I pulled away.  I remember how excited you were when you found out I, too, had an affection for flavored coffee.  I remember the look of anticipation on your face as you urged me to try the latest flavor, offering it to me free if I could guess.

I barely knew you.

You were the 'coffee guy'.  The guy that was working every.single.time I went there.  You knew me by my car and had my regular order on your tongue before I had a chance to give it.

I didn't even know your name until I saw it on your obituary.

My heart breaks for your family and friends.  And I'm truly sorry I never got to know you better.

Rest in peace, Andrew.

A Father's Love

Four of my friends have lost their father in the last week.  One death was expected as he'd been quite ill for some time; two were having health issues but I don't know that the pending loss was clearly on the cusp; and, one passed very suddenly, without warning, and my friend was off-Island visiting his in-laws when it happened. Three of these men were under the age of 70 years old.  My heart breaks for them all.  And it's at times like these that I have a lot of difficulty believing that "everything happens for a reason", and it's all a "part of God's plan".  Four families are now forever changed.  In four homes, there are four empty chairs.  In four homes, there are multiple broken hearts.

We never know when our last, "I love you", will actually be our last.  We often take for granted those that mean the most to us.  When we're faced with the unfillable void, it proves to be the emptiest that we may ever feel...

11 years ago today, my hero lost his own fight.  11 years has passed us by but it might as well be 11 days today as I sit and hold back the tears, remembering the greatest man I will ever know.  My first love. My father.  I miss you, Dad....it's been 11 years, but it's never gotten any easier.  I know you walk beside me.  I know you're watching out for me.  I just wish we'd had more time...  Forever your little girl xoxoxo.


A Father's Love
A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership...
appreciated because
he gives his children care...
valued because
he gives his children time...
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most - himself.
~ unknown