I have so many memories of my dad, I don't know how I would share them all, but I wanted to talk a little about who he was and what he stood for, because it seems right. My father had very humble roots, and he impressed on his three children the value of money, and the importance of hard work. He worked all of his life from age 16 until cancer robbed him of the ability to do so. He was thrifty and practical, refusing to spend money on himself but having no limits whatsoever when it came to the people he loved. He only wanted to give us the best, and went to great lengths to take care of us. Even when we were grown adults. He was a study in contrasts. He could be the perfect host, and at times almost withdrawn. He didn't always have a lot to say, but when he did, you knew that he felt strongly about the subject.

He would do anything for those he cared about, and I have endless memories of that. Driving to pick me up when I'd worked somewhere, or had gone out with my friends. He'd look in my bedroom doorway to make sure I was okay during one of his many sleepless nights. He took care of people he cared about. I know that he'll keep on doing that from wherever he is now. <3