Happy Birthday Papa

There are very few people in this world who can bring genuine happiness into your life. They come around once in a lifetime. I was fortunate enough to know a person just like that....My Papa.

He was such a good man.
He was a man, upon meeting for the first time, would refuse a handshake...just to give you a hug. 
He taught me to "Forgive and Forget", He always had a way of making things special. He would add a touch of chocolate powder to my cereal bowl, so my milk would be nice and chocolatey. My Rice Krispies always tasted amazing! He made the BEST pancakes in the world, and could whip up a mean salad! He used to take my brother and I birdwatching and he would also show Noah how to read the stars in the sky.
I went to visit once, I think for a weekend, with my Nana and Papa, and I would get homesick. He would always come to my aid, throw on The Sound Of Music, make us some tea, and we would sit and watch it together. He had this big brown/maroonish leather chair. When I was little I would curl up on  his belly (my waterbed!)  and fall asleep!
But what I remember most was, when I would talk to him on the phone, he would always say "You're looking beautiful" and I would giggle and say "Papa, you can't see me"  and he would always respond with " I don't have to see you, to know you're looking beautiful"  ( Still makes me teary eyed when I think about it)
 He was my favorite person in the world.
When he died, my world crumbled. I remember I slept with his picture under my pillow, for a very long time. As a kid, I was devastated to have lost him....It was really hard on me.
But now as an adult, I know I'm grateful to have had someone like that in my life. Someone who made me feel safe, and warm, and loved. Someone who could make you feel like you were the only person who mattered to them.

Today is his birthday. If I still lived in San Jose, I would go to the cemetery where he was laid to rest, and bring him some flowers. I would sit with him, and watch the birds the live in the tree that's planted right there on the hill in front of him.
Every year today, I think about him all day, it makes me sad, but at the same time, I'm happy. I'm happy that I have the memories I have of him. I believe he's somewhere, watching us, keeping us safe. And I believe he would be proud of me. Proud of my family, and of the life I have. And that makes me smile

Happy Birthday Papa....I miss you...