THANKFUL FOR...

Thanksgiving is always such a happy time to spend with family and friends while being thankful of everything in our lives. Although some of my family members have already gone on, I am thankful that God put them in my life. By remembering them often I hope they know how thankful I am for the influence they had on me. They both had a role in shaping the person I am today. Two of the four most important men in my life are my Papa Joe and Dad (Dominick).


Even though my mom and grandma taught me similar lessons, it was invaluable to learn it from a man’s perspective. Since my biological dad was absent from my life the only male influence I had growing up was my Papa Joe. He always taught by example and wonderful stories. One of the important things he wanted to teach me is an honest day’s work. I remember working on hot summer days helping him plant some trees in the Miami Beach apartment we lived in when I was in 5th grade. First we had to break the asphalt in order to dig a perfect spot for these trees. I went back to that apartment building two years ago and believe it or not, those trees are still there. Just like the roots of those trees have anchored themselves there, so has the legacy of my grandfather in my life. I am proud of everything he accomplished as a young Puerto Rican man that came to the states to serve his country in the Korean and World War II. Even though he was a loyal soldier, nothing compares to the service he gave his friends and family. He was always ready to help anyone in need no matter how little he had. One thing he was never short on was spending time with his grandkids. My cousins and I have spent hours at the beach, fishing, looking for shells, at the park, anything that had to do with being outside. He was a great man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. The one thing I am most grateful for is the chance I had to thank my grandfather for everything while he was still alive. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity.

Dominick entered my life when I was 17. Although he left us too soon, I am ever so grateful to have had 8 years with him. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Dominick is that you don’t have to share the same blood to be family. From day one he treated me like the daughter he never had. He took time to find out my interests and hobbies and do them with me. He would take me to lunch after my classes at FIU. Sometimes we would go to the movies with some of my friends. He enjoyed when my friends would come over then we were off to go watch a high school football game. All the things that I missed out on by not having a dad, he made up for it from day one. I was always fascinated by his stories growing up with his family in Long Island, New York. They lived on a quiet farm but they weren’t short of incredible tales. There was even a story about Al Capone! Throughout my years of knowing him, no matter how bad things seemed, he had a way of making you feel that everything was going to be just fine. He also taught me usual father/daughter things like taking care of my car, not leaving the house without cash in my wallet. He always made sure I had at least $20 in my purse. He taught me how to not sweat the small stuff. Pick my battles. I also learned that you’re never too old to do what you want to do. He opened his archery business sometime before he passed. I was so proud of him for pursuing something he loved to do. I feel like there is so much more I could’ve learned from him but for some reason I’ll have to learn those lessons without him.

When I got married to my wonderful husband, I remember my wedding coordinator asking me who was going to walk me down the aisle. At first I was so conflicted because there was no way to pick one over the other and then it hit me; they would both walk me down the aisle. Dominick would walk me half and then hand me over to my Papa Joe. It was perfect.

I miss them both immensely but I thank God that I got to have them in my life and learn the things that have made me the woman I am today. I hope I have made them proud of me.