The Prayer

You continue to amaze me, Dadio! 

♥ With every breath you have, you share your words of love. With every ounce of energy, you look into our eyes and smile. With every muscle of strength, you wrapped your arms around your grandkids and held them tightly to remind them you will always be here! ♥ 

PS - Thank you for giving me my first birthday hug today, Dadio :)

A smile means more than a thousand words

Tonight I experienced more memories that I will hold onto forever.

My dad was laying on the hospital bed resting from a high dose of morphine.  As I walked into the room, my dad opened his eyes and smiled.  Not just a welcome smile, but a huge smile with true excitement that I was coming to see him.  A smile just like Olivia's when her grandparents come over to visit.

After a few hours of small talk - mostly conversations between my sisters and my mom while my dad was resting, it was time for us to go home for the night.  As I leaned over to give my dad a good night hug, he whispered "I'm proud of you."

I am proud of you too, dadio!

Dear dadio

I've often heard quotes such as "Live life to the fullest" and "Live each day as if it's your last," but you've given me a new definition to those words.  You were given a challenge that not many can handle.  You were struck with a disease that we couldn't just take away.  You chose to fight!


From day one, you told us we are going to fight this by enjoying every moment, and that's exactly what we've been doing.  You never use the words "it's not fair" - you use words like "I have been blessed with an amazing life."  Your spirit has kept us up and reminded us to continue living, hoping and dreaming.  Your positive attitude has allowed us to truly enjoy life with you by our side and continue to make fun memories that we will hold tight forever.

We wake up every morning with two choices: to have a good day or a bad day.  You have taught me that every day can be a good day so I wake up with a smile on my face, thankful for those I have in my life, and appreciative of the wonderful times I've had in my past, my present, and my future.

I have memories that live within me and cross my mind every day.  I remember a childhood full of laughter and smiles.  You and mom were always great about taking us girls places and showing us the world.  You brought us on picnics, hikes, skiing, visiting family and friends.  We were often on the go and experiencing new things.  My most fond memory must be when you took me - only me without my siblings! - to the United States!  I was so proud that I got to travel alone with you to see our American family!

My teenage years hold even more great memories.  You were "the cool dad" and all my friends wanted to visit me to hear your jokes.  I often found them at our house before I was home or calling me but talking to you for five minutes before I finally got the phone.  Not only did you take me and my friends to concerts, you brought us early to sneak in so we could see the band warm up (I won't mention when you fell asleep during one concert).  

On top of all the fun, you also taught me to be responsible.  You helped me find a good balance in life, trying to multitask school, work, yet still enjoy my social life.  Although I probably had to learn a few things on my own (like working 90 hours/week made for nice paychecks, but who needs money when you don't have time), you are a huge influence on how I think!

Dadio, you are one amazing person and I am taking everything you've demonstrated through your life into mine.  You've taught me how I can be a loving parent, a faithful friend, and a supportive spouse.  You've shown me how to be a good communicator and a great listener.  And although things will not always be easy, you've taught me how to live life to the fullest!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the incredible DAD that you are!  Thank you for being my best friend.  Thank you for guiding me through my role as a parent.  Thank you for influencing my children, who absolutely love their Grandpa 'Boff'.  Thank you for being best buds with my fiance.  Most of all, thank you for just being you!

I love you Dadio!

It's time to get personal

I've taken a break from the blog world these past few months and today I will explain why.  I want this blog to be ME, meaning I want it to be stories of my life, both good and bad.  For the most part, I love my life and am perfectly content so I usually blog about the fun moments I'm blessed to experience.  These past few months, I've been through the hardest times of my life.  Therefore, I didn't feel that it would be right to write about the happy moments while ignoring the tough times, so I simply took a break from blogging to focus on my life.

Life has been hard these past few months!  Really hard!!!  As many of you know, my family is my world!!!  They're the people I hold closest to my heart.  The friends I go to when I need support.  The parents I go to for advice.  The sisters I go to if I need a shoulder to cry on.  The family I go to when I want a good laugh.  

My family is my everything!

November 2010, my parents received some terrible news.  My dad's cancer has spread and the chemo treatments are no longer effective.  There are currently no other (proven) options as far as treatment so his only option was to discontinue the chemo treatments and simply enjoy life to the fullest.  Neither my parents nor us kids wanted to know the full picture as far as time.  My dad is a miracle and his positive energy and attitude will spread cheer and love to everyone as we continue to enjoy every day together.

I can't lie... I'm PISSED and sad, both at the same time.  I spent a long time in denial, refusing to believe the truth.  My dad is my hero and heros don't die.  After a lot of conversations and tears with my family, I realized I had two choices: 1) to be upset that life is unfair or 2) live life to the fullest by continuing to make memories!

So here I am today.  Still sad and upset about the truth of life, but doing my best to be thankful for my past, my present, and my future.

The reason I am telling you about this is because writing is therapy.  I want to write about my life, both good and bad, so our family and friends on the other side of the world can stay updated.  Although we're beyond upset about the truth of life and death, this allows me to blog about the moments we're taking to enjoy life and live it to the fullest.