Goodbye...for Now

As an few earlier posts stated, my dad had been battling kidney cancer.  By the time it was detected, he was already in stage 4 and had been living at the VA Hospital Long Term Care since February.  June and July of this year were crazy hectic on our family.  Most all spare time was spent visiting Dad in the hospital.  We all received several calls to come say our final goodbyes...but the old boy would pull through.  My older sister spent some serious money coming up from Las Vegas several times on a 'moments notice'.  Dad was able to come home for a few days in early July.  We were all able to gather around and laugh with him and remember healthier days.  At a certain point though, Dad basically became incoherent and was unable to communicate with us...but, that didn't mean he didn't hear us.  We were reminded of this at one point when I was sharing a story with Sunshine about how a month earlier Dad was teasing my about my swollen ankles (from pregnancy)...dad heard me talking and just chuckled in his sleep.  I absolutely LOVE that laugh and it will forever be in my heart.
You see, we did have to say goodbye to the man I've always had on a pedestal.  My father's final breath was taken on Saturday, July 16, 2011.

My Dad, Raul Reyes, at 17...

one of my favorite pictures of him

Dad on 4th of July, 2010

I have long considered myself one of the luckiest girls in the world for being this mans daughter.  The other "lucky girls" were my 2 sisters, Sunshine and Penelope.  Dad would be the first to admit that he wasn't a perfect father...but he was perfect for us.  Even through his parenting mishaps (which I would later learn we all go through), he made sure we, his children, knew that he loved us unconditionally (even through our own mistakes and struggles).  He treated each of us with the utmost respect--even when and especially if we didn't deserve it.  He taught me so much about life and family; I'm still learning from him and am sure I always will.  I remember him sharing with me stories of his life as a child migrant worker and his time overseas during the Vietnam War.  We would stay up into the wee hours of the night going through his Marine paperwork and pictures...time that would prove to be some of the most cherished...just me and my dad.  His laugh was so contagious.  It amazes me how many people bring up that laugh of his and his witty sense of humor.

4th of July, 2011...our last holiday together

  ...our last few days together...

I know I will see my Dad again...he was a true Believer and raised us kids as such.  My faith in Christ is a reflection of the example Dad was.  This is only "Goodbye for now".  I love you, Daddy...

A true hero...Semper Fi 

Raul Reyes

08/11/1949 to 07/16/2011