I wrote this when my dad turned 80 yrs old…He is now 85…time flies.
Oralé Papá ………
It’s been quite a life Dad, and I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that you are my father. I want to Thank you and Mom for giving me life. For the things that you have taught me and the sweet memories I have of you-I know life has ups and downs and we can focus on our downs or move forward and grow. I choose to move forward.
You taught to be strong; to stand up straight and hold my head up high and be proud of who I am; brown skin and all. You taught me to seek better things in my life and not to let people hold me down.
You taught me the word respect for myself and be proud of who I am.
I have sweet memories of my growing up like the times when we would all pile into the care to go get ice-cream, Grandma Ciria and “Potty pot” too, on a warm Texas night.
I remember:
…you and grandma would spray “fleet” to keep the mosquitoes away and we would all be outside on the porch until we could go back in and go to bed. Buelita would tell scary stories like “La Llorna” or we would play bingo with the neighborhood kids.
…looking out our screen front door when we heard the car pull up in the drive when your co-workers would drop you off and you looked so tired carrying your lunch pail but you would laugh at my tortillas when you sat down for supper, you said they looked like the map of Texas.
…when you used to take us to “Quela Fela’s” house and she had cooked lots of beans and tortillas, she had a big table that we sat won and had arroz y frijoles con tortillas.
…visiting Buelita Tivé and Tió Chon in San Benito and how happy she was when Buelita saw you; “ Ayé Inez, mí Híjo”. She always made us feel so loved.
…you taking us for long drives in the country.
…going to your ball games when you played baseball
…mostly how you laughed a slow quiet laugh from deep inside, it would bring me comfort when you smiled at me.
There are probably more things I don’t remember but I do know Dad that you have instilled in me to always strive to be a better person and to respect others feelings, to stand straight and be proud; always moving forward wanting the best for our families.
My children love you Dad and they respect the things you have done in your life to give us a better life. I love you Dad and I am very proud to be your daughter. I know that the Lord will bless you for always wanting to be better, for the sacrifices yu have made, for the struggles you have endured and mostly for accepting the calling of being a “father”.
Thank you Papá……Love you! (And that is how I feel about my Dad)
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