Looking back, the last three years have been the most difficult of my life. It started with losing Dan; my uncle, then my grampa... Then my dad... My hero, my warrior, my idol and my families compass.

Three years ago today he left us, I remember days that ran from day to night in a hospital room of which didn't make any sense, time folding on itself and meant nothing. I remember holding his hand, looking into his pain filled eyes and praying, that maybe he could stay with me, hold my hand longer, be my daddy longer. When he couldn't stay, I remember going outside, screaming as loud as I could, and him coming to me in transparent form and telling me to get it together for what was left of my family... My mom. I stopped screaming, I stopped crying, and started listening.

Three years almost to the hour have passed, and still it hurts so much there are no words for it. But, today was better than this day last year, or the year before that. I rode, my mom rode, and it was better. Not easier, but a shift indeed. Did I cry less? Yes. I did cry less. Does it hurt less? No it does not.

I couldn't let his birthday pass or his day of passing pass; without mention. So dad, wherever you are, you are missed, I will have to learn the lesson of your passing until the day I leave the planet - but your impact on my life as my father is beyond anything I could put into words here. My love for you and my mom's love for you - will never ever wane, and your absence on this planet is a large empty space that cannot be filled. Yet I welcome the lesson, and I wish your new journey to be filled with great adventure worthy of your warrior heart.

Love forever,
Your Little Girl - Teresa