One Year Ago...

  One year ago today, my dad (papi) passed away. I was his buddy and he was mine.

Always and forever buddies

My dad was there for me to help me cope through my many broken hearts, to encourage me to work hard, and to help me get my classroom ready every year. Losing my dad was the hardest thing that I have ever had to go through. It still is. My heart still aches to hold him, kiss his cheek, to just sit down next to him.

I am the first of my friends to lose a parent. It is not easy to lose someone you love so much. The pain never really goes away...just fades a little with time. There is never a day that I do not think about him or that my heart doesn't get a pang from that emptiness. Without God in my life, I don't know how I would deal with the hurt. It is too much to bear alone. Thankfully I am also blessed with wonderful family members and friends who brought me dinners, listened to me, and lent me their shoulders to cry on. I can not thank you enough.

My dad is a hero to me. He fought against cancer with all that he had. He tried to hang on for as long as he could. Unfortunately, that awful disease took over and he could not fight anymore. Though cancer took over, it didn't beat him. God mercifully took my dad in His arms where he is no longer suffering. I am confident that my dad has joined the angels to worship our mighty Savior.

If you are familiar with Hillsong United, these lyrics come to my head: "The enemy has been defeated. Death couldn't hold You down. We're gonna lift our voice in victory. We're gonna make Your praises loud. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Shout unto God with a voice of praise. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph. We lift Your name up! We lift Your name up!"

I love you Papi. You are my buddy, my hero, my champion.

My mom and dad

Clarissa and my dad (I love their smiles!)

Me and my papi (He looks so handsome!)

Dear friends, if your parents are still here with you, please cherish the time you have with them. They have helped mold us who we are today and have taken care of us. Our families are so special and I pray that your time with them will last for many years to come. We never know when they will be taken from us and I urge you to make the most out of the time you have with them.