To My New Hero in Heaven

To my new Hero in Heaven,

I think it goes without saying that we miss you more than anything and that none of us can go a single day without thinking of you at least three times. I'm sure I'm not the only one who closes my eyes and tries to hear your voice in my head or imagine how much better it would feel if you were sitting next me. We all lost a huge piece of ourselves when we lost you, though we know in some way you are still here.

In your last days, you taught us such bravery. You showed us what being brave really meant, and that was backing down to nothing, even the worst possible outcome. You handled yourself with poise and grace, and did not let your pain affect how you reacted to the people around you. You were a source of strength for us and your calm demeanor let us all know that you were going to be okay.

When you passed, people who knew you all ideated the same few things about you which we already knew to be true. You were the most amazing father. There was not a single thing you would not do for your children, and the type of hands-on parenting you exhibited is especially rare. You gave them a childhood so sweet and memorable. You were involved in everything they do, whether it was being their coach or doing arts and crafts with them. You taught them to be loving and family oriented, and in part because of you, the love in our family is extended through your children and who you made them out to be in the time you had with them. The parent, uncle, brother, son, and cousin you were showed everyone around you how limitless love is.

We will look for signs from you everywhere we go. We will go to places you loved to go to, enjoyed eating at, and built memories with us and know that you are there in spirit. We will spend so much of our lives doing what we can to make you proud, and will not forget that in some way, you are there supporting us in all we will do. We will look through pictures to relive the happy times and search through old videos to hear your voice again.

You asked for our family to be strong and supportive of one another. You knew the loss of you would not be easy. But you knew that with the love our family has for one another, we could adapt to a great loss. When you come from a family as close and tight-knit as ours, you feel each other's pain so much more, and we all found just a small amount of peace in knowing you would not be in pain anymore.

Thank you for all that you have been to us, taught us, supported us, loved us. In both your life before you became sick and after. Your personality was rare and amazing, and you were yourself until you could not be anymore. I am equally proud and astonished that a man so amazing, genuine, and strong is my uncle, and I will always strive to be the best version of myself, for you.

We love and miss you always!

For my Uncle Dan, my newest angel and hero in Heaven. I hope you are resting easy with your mother, grandparents, Brandy, and Snoopy, playing tons of Scrabble and hopefully came to the consensus of who makes the best meatballs. Have some waiting for me at the gate, along with a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino!