I am turning 48 tomorrow, the same age my father was when he passed away, and this realization brings up a wave of emotion within me. It fills my heart with both reflection and gratitude, constantly reminding me of how young he was when he left this world. He had so much potential, yet his time was so fleeting, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength that continues to resonate within our family. As I think about the hardships he faced, I can’t help but wonder how anyone could expect to live longer than he did, given the immense challenges life presented to him. I often feel a profound longing to connect with him, to let him know that I’m doing my best; I truly hope he’s watching over my mom, my brother, and me. I want him to take pride in both me and my brother as we navigate life without him, carrying forward the values and lessons he instilled in us. My heart aches with the wish that I could hear him assure me that everything will be alright, that there’s no need to worry or second-guess my choices. The comforting thought that we will meet again in another universe, sharing laughter and stories once more, brings me solace. It’s truly surreal to be the same age he was at his passing, and I often find myself pondering what he might have accomplished or how our lives would have been had he been here with us. I love and miss you, daddy, forever and ever….happy birthday to me.

