My dad and I

I always love you dad!

My dad was a hardworking man who had lived his life in the simplest way. I always remember him as an older man with his white hair and sweet smiles, because that was the only way I had ever seen him. I miss my dad so much. My dad wasn't educated man, but he was one of the most clever men I have ever know. His ability of solve poblems, his command and love over us, my sisters, my brothers, and me. His words were more valuable than a man's signature. I will never forgot the way he used to deal with us. He was a wonderful father to all 18 of us. 

Me

My dad

My dad was 34 years older than my mom. I never saw him as a young man, so I keep in mind the      way I had always seen my lovely father. His attitude, his mood, his nature. My dad was a man of great character. He never gave up on anything he wanted. He used to get up very early in the morning, work all day, talking with all his friends, and enjoying his life with all of us.

My dad was the only one who could tell the difference between my sister Lirane and me over the phone. Lirane and I have the same type of voice, and if we talk on the phone with someone, the person can never tell which of us is calling. But my Father knew his children.

My father's health began to deteriorate with many diseases. He was diagnosed with diabetes, a heart problem, and a kidney problem. I remember one time, my dad stayed at hospital in intensive care for 21 days, after he had a heart surgery. I was young, but I remember how afraid we were of losing him. He surprised us by recovering and came back home. After this, his diabetes and kidneys got worse, it was necessary to remove one of his kidneys, and the one he was left with, only had 5% function.  My dad was in hemodialysis 3 days a week. His blood was removed, then filtered and returned to his body. My dad's courage was the most beautiful quality he had.

My dad!

My dad is no longer alive, his passed away at the age of 86, after battling for his life for a long time. 

One of the thins that made my dad so sad was having to be in the big city near the hospital after living his life on a small farm.  His dialysis was performed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So every Friday afternoon,  he was discharged from the hospital, he traveled three hours back to our small town where he stayed until Sunday afternoon.  He spend this time with his friends and family.

 That was my father. a man with determination. He was honest, faithful, and devoted. I will always remember my dad's last smiles, our last hung, and our last conversation on the phone. I didn't get to say goodbye (adieu) to my father, because I was in the U.S.A. and at the time I was not legal in the country so I couldn't leave the U.S.A. because I was afraid of being banned when I flew back. It was very painful for me. I was crying, I just wanted had the opportunity to said goodbye ( adeus ) to my dad,  I wanted to kiss him, I wanted to cry on his body. I could not. Three years later, I was able to go into my native country and finally said ADEUS to my dad.

dad, you will be in my heart forever. I love you my father.

love you forever

Joseph