Pops, Happy Bday...we miss you!

I was thinking about the time you took me to my first nuggets game and we got to take a Polaroid picture with one of the players...wow, that was so cool.  Now I am taking my son to do the same thing tomorrow and in Vasquez style, courtside with team pics...thanks Pops for showing me how to do so much.  Love you old man.

Dad thanks for being my father and being in there when I needed you also I enjoyed the times we had together watching movies and eating junk food till 1:00 in the morning, I early had a wonderful times we had also going to lake pal with  mama and uncle ed and aunt  Judy and the Lara  family watching you water ski. Also I enjoyed roller skating, and going camping with you and the Vasquez family also enjoyed the Christmas and thanksgiving with you and the Vasquez  family  and birthdays daddy and family  I will forever miss the times we had with you daddy I wish you we're  still here with us. But I know your no longer suffering and hurting from Parkinson's your resting in piece with GOD and walking and talking and singing and  dancing with out pain, I will always  miss your good BBQ the hot dogs hamburgers and your turkey  vegetables and yams pumpkin pie. I will always miss your cooking  playing basketball  playing pool also going out to eat and going to the movies eating popcorn drinking root beer with you and mama and  Vasquez family. Love you daddy I miss you and wish you we're  still here with us you are in our hearts always will be. Miss you love mouse!!!♡♡♡ Also Devin enjoyed spending time and helping you when you needed help your son in law misses you too.♡♡♡

Mi querido amor:

Today I celebrate my love for you.  It's hard to believe it's been a year since you "got your wings to heaven."  You and I shared our 43rd anniversary a few weeks ago at Mariana Butte...did you enjoy?  I had my first birdie on the 10th hole...nice, huh?

This has been quite a year...gigantic struggles and challenges for all of us...much more emotionally draining than I ever imagined or anticipated it would be.  Our last days together weren't quite what we had hoped for.  So many times in our youth we talked about travel, golf with Ed and Judy.  Unfortunately we were never able to realize those dreams...however, we did grow old together!!!

My heart is flooded by a multitude of beautiful memories with places, songs, things said, special people we knew.  There's not a day that passes without my thinking of our lives together...what memories...the good and the ones we would probably choose to forget were you still here.  We had a good, full life together and sometimes it is those memories that are the most difficult at times for me to overcome for they make me miss you all the more.

Life without you has been extremely difficult but life without you is the "new normal."  Far too often the world is so empty without you.  I've had to learn a lot of "new normals" and it has not been easy for any of us...we must choose to go forward as we gain the strength that only comes from Christ Himself.

There were far too many days when I would have to make a concerted effort to peel myself out of bed.  Despair...it's a hopeless emotion and the devil will do anything he can to keep us there.  BUT FOR GOD!!!

You were always my main advocate and support in life and now God has placed many loving, wonderful friends and familly in your stead and He gives me the strength to care for our children and grandchildren.

Our kids miss you terribly too.  Your mouse talks about "her hero" at every turn...Chris wrote you a wonderful Father's Day love letter...hope you had a chance to read it.  We shared so many beautiful memories with our kids and grandkids and families...we were blessed.

I miss your many magnificent qualities but most of all I think I miss your strength and support, your wisdom and courage.  You were truly my "man of valor" in every sense of the word...so fearless, and I refuse to allow you to be defined by your last days of Parkinson's because the devil is the liar of all liars and only in God do we have the victory.

I know in my heart of hearts you are where you should be, mi amor...Face-to-Face with our Jesus, in all His Splendor and Glory, and I am anxious to join you.  I know you will greet me with open arms and we will walk hand-in-hand, side-by-side together as we await our children and all our loved ones after us.  Your cunado says "I only have one cunado forever" and you're it, baby, in more ways than one.  I will forever miss you in my heart.

Te amo con todo mi corazon