Tribute to Tex

On November 24, 2006 we lost my Dad unexpectedly. He'd fought a long, hard battle with diabetes, and although we all know that it was his time to go, we still miss him immensely. He was such a kind, silly, intelligent, thoughtful, charismatic, honest, and loving person, I am so proud to call him Dad. This is a poem I wrote that describes the Father he was to me, and the memories we created:

From fertilizing trees,
to scaring others and tag,
there’s so many ways
to remember you, Dad.
Like when we’d play soccer
even at night in the back,
or shaving your head
to see how Mom would react.
Putting air in the tires,
and always checking the oil,
nightly stories and prayer,
ruthless games of Othello.
Daily making my lunches
and letting me steer,
endless tickles and chases
to eat my arm hairs!
Eating popcorn with movies,
and loving your laugh,
so contagious and loud,
we’d have to rewind back.
The road trips to Grandma’s
with sodas, Subways and fun,
and how you met Mom,
and knew she was “The One.”
When we’d stop at Nelda’s
to say hi and take food,
sometimes picking up hitchhikers,
and helping who we could.
Hiking always with Twizzlers,
and climbing that cliff,
you told me how proud
you were for being so tough.
You taught us to give,
be nice and be true,
never failing to kiss
and say “I Love You.”
From lectures to lessons,
to Bear hugs with love,
I can’t wait to relive these,
when we meet again up above.

Thank you for being such an amazing Father who taught me the true meaning of kindness, unconditional love and sacrifice,
I love you and we miss you,
Love, “Lee”