I’ve seen the pictures of you holding me when I was born.
I miss the days of riding with you on the tractor when I was very little. Life was so simple then.
I remember when you built the hearth in our old house. You laid every brick like the master craftsman that you were.
Christmas was always your favorite holiday. It was never the same after you were gone. For any of us.
No one ever made a better clam chowder than you did. Still to this day.
I remember the first time I saw you cry watching a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It hurt, but it also made me realize that it was ok for a man to cry sometimes.
So many trips to the doctors for your chemotherapy treatments. But you never complained or showed pain.
I remember saying goodbye to you in the hospital that day, knowing it would be the last time.
I remember your wake. I had written you a letter to say goodbye. To this day, only you and I know what was on that letter, and it was laid to rest with you.
I didn’t cry at your funeral. I was strong for everyone else like you always were. I saved my tears for later.
I wish you could have met your great-granddaughter. You two would have gotten along famously. She’s strong with a wicked sense of humor just like you.
I miss you and I hope I made you proud. Thank you for showing me what a good man truly is.
I’ll see you again someday. Until then.
The Beginning At Last 
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