The Greatest Man I Ever Knew

by Cari
(Illinois)

My Dad died August 16, 2009. Coming up on the one year anniversary seems unreal. Every time I feel like I am finally getting a handle on my life and my feelings, something happens to remind me of some great event or life-changing event that happened in my life that my Dad was there and helped me through. When that happens, the tears flow and I feel just like I did the day he died. When does that stop?

My Dad wasn't my biological Dad, but he mattered to me more than life itself. He became my "dad" when I was barely a year old. He and I were like 2 peas in a pod. Even after my brother was born (Dad's only boy), his and my bond was something that was so strong and could never be broken.

He wasn't perfect. In fact, if I told stories of things he did years ago, in today's world, people would gasp. He spanked me; I was scared of him and what would happen if I disrespected him. Well guess what; it made me a better person and who I am today. If it weren't for him, I'd had 3 or 4 kids, probably no career, and have to depend on a man for living. Instead, he instilled into me that I shouldn't rely on anyone but myself to get through life and that I could do and be anyone I wanted to be.

I love and miss him so much. Can't wait until the day I see him again.