Dear Dad

Its been a year today since you left this earth to be with your heavenly father at peace.....no more pain and suffering, only a LOVE that is so beautiful it shines down upon us all. I miss you so much, my kids (your grandkids) miss you and we all feel a huge part of our heart is broken today and everyday since. Even with the pain in my heart, I will always remember the love, wisdom and kindness you bestowed upon me, Robby, Nina, Careyanne and Ezra.....we will never forge what you taught us in life and be sure to pass it on for generations to come! I Love you Daddy! Please keep me strong today, keep us strong on this sad day, may my tears reach your spirit and turn them into sunshine.

We will honor you through the weekend with a celebration of LIFE with Mom, a Family Blessing at Sunday Mass, a brunch at Little America and placing of flowers on your gravesite. We will hold Mom close and shower her in Love with you by her side.

In so many ways, Grandpa was like a father to me, and he was one of my best friends in life.  For so many years I lived with my Grandfather Dale and my beautiful and loving Grandma Ramona.  I spent a lot of time with my Grandparents, as did so many of my other cousins.

Some of my finest memories of my Grandfather are in the countless conversations we had as I was growing up. With his wealth of knowledge, wisdom and colorful personality he would often have me learning, smiling and laughing all at the same time. Heck, growing up I spent just as much time hanging out at the house with Grandpa as I did my other cousins and friends.

Speaking of friends, one of my favorite saying that Grandpa would tell me was "your best friend is the dollar in your back pocket!"

Grandpa was a pillar of his family and an honored Veteran who never stopped doing for his family, his country and others.

As he did for so many of his Grandchildren, he always made sure I had everything that I needed. He was the hardest working man I have ever known and tried to instill a good work ethic in me.

I will never forget the countless breakfasts he made for me before taking me to school in the mornings, or all the times he took me across town to and from places like the skating rink, or the time when he helped me acquire my first vehicle, which was an old brown (brown was Grandpa's favorite color) Chevy truck, or when he bought me a mini fridge for my dorm room my first year in college and helping me pay my vehicle insurance the first year away from home. There really are too many amazing things to list that Grandpa did for me, but the point is that he always gave 150% when it came to his family.

Reflecting on my time spent with my Grandpa, I know I will always cherish our time together over the last 32 years of my life and the continual courage, support and lessons in life he has always given me.

Thank you Grandpa Salas for all your love and wisdom you gave me. I love you and will miss you dearly. 

Your loving Grandson, Robby