My Father

Oh Dad, how can I forget or be ungrateful for everything that I have learned from you?

How could I possibly say that the years you have spent here on Earth have been insignificant to me?

Dad, I have appreciated you for as long as I can remember. I never saw any imperfections in you that would make me judge you in any way. Instead, I always understood your reactions to any situation.

I saw you during every stage of my life. I saw you when I was a child, a teenager, after I got married, in the Work of God.

As a child, I saw a hardworking father, a responsible father, who gave me security and support when I condemned myself for my mistakes. Wisely, you did not support my mistakes. Instead, you supported me and showed me that you loved my soul and understood me.

I saw a father who was in love with my mother. Always wanting her by his side.

I saw a reference.

I saw a father that was determined to go after what he wanted, and I identified myself a lot with you. I’m not sure, but I think it was because we experienced many rejections. Although they were different kinds of rejections, we reacted in similar ways.

You did not condemn me for my mistakes because you learned and continued learning with each experience.

There was something about you, a light in your eyes, which today I know was God.

I saw a humble father, who influenced his companions to also be humble. Someone who does not worry about etiquette, but in being with family, being respectful and living in harmony.

I saw a father who was not an addict or childish, I saw a respectful father. A father who chose to hear instrumental music while driving. A father that was determined. Someone who was not lead by what others thought or by the media, but made choices that valued his time and his goals. We, his family, had to be in silence while he meditated.

When I was a teenager, you were always careful to give us what we needed and not what we wanted. You were careful to find me a man of God. And not only were you careful, but you found him.

On my wedding day, you were present. Still a virgin, you walked me to the altar, with the same dignity that you had at home. A father, a breadwinner, who earned my respect and with that, I learned to oppress the interests I previously had as a teenager, to satisfy my flesh, and started paying attention to your advice. Before I converted, I remember several times wanting to do things that were contrary to what was rational, but your will prevailed over mine.

Why?

Because your example gave you power and strength. You did not allow my desires to prevail. Your example helped me keep it together. I always said to myself: “I like that boy… But my dad doesn’t.” So, I wouldn’t pursue my interests.

It was not because of a religion that I decided to follow in your footsteps and serve on the altar, it was the pleasure I saw you had in doing things for God. No time of day, weather, or distance caused you to give up. And much less the circumstances!

Oh! Before I got married, I went through an “earthquake”: you were sent to jail. But before you were arrested, it is impossible to erase the scene form my mind, like a sheep, you surrendered with your arms in the air and obeyed everything those men said to you, while they pointed guns, machine guns, at you and several cars surrounded ours.

A father that was humble, simple, revolted against unrighteousness, who loves souls unconditionally, and gives his life for people who will never understand or discern the pure love that he has, and now… You were being taken away like a criminal.

But… all your battles made you even stronger.

This is my father.

Fervent about the Work of God. God fearing. Always working hard to hear His voice.

How can I be indifferent and not say what I have seen in you?

How many times did I walk into your room at night to give you a goodnight kiss and found you on your knees talking to God? My eyes fill with tears to see your appreciation for God and what you do.

For me, if there is any weakness that you may have, it is nothing that can overshadow your qualities.

The messages of faith that you preach in Church are as strong as your example. I understand God, when He values us, because the example that we dedicate to Him here on Earth is very strong. This overrides the value of the angels, who do not have a daily sacrifice like we do.

Your messages are of an intelligent faith, rational and at the same time sensitive to the people’s situation.

You are not counseling people on a daily basis, but sometimes you feel more pain than those who do. Your love is not strong because of what you hear or see, but because what God has done for you. This is what you want to give to everyone else.

You are someone that is simply beautiful! Beautiful in my eyes.

You never imposed anything on anyone that works with you, nor your family, but when you saw me upset or desperate, you responded with your infinite love – not an “emotional love” by feeling sorry for me, but a love that caused me to react.

How can I forget and not love you? How can I not be moved to say these things when I have access to the world to show my gratitude?

It is impossible to look at you and not fill you with kisses on your face and neck. I have a deep respect and unconditional love for you, Dad. I love you more than you can imagine. My love is not shown through gifts because everything that I could possibly give you in this lifetime would be so insignificant… But, what I can show you here is the respect and esteem that I have for you. Because my life was a gift with a high price, and I present it here as a servant of God on the altar, wanting to give the same continuity of what happened in your life, because you have passed on your legacy to me.

It is impossible to look at you and not change our life! It is impossible to listen to you and get distracted. All your words are engraved here. And these words are not based on evangelical philosophies, but on life. There is a difference and blood in what you say.

It’s impossible not to accept the God that created you and not want to serve this God that has blessed you so much.

Dad, your life story says it all… Those who surround you and live with you, and those who are mindful in receiving something for their soul benefit sooo much. And I’m one of them.

Go in this your strength!