Happy Birthday Dad!

Today marks what would have been my father's 51st birthday. 

Sadly, he died August 15, 2011 after a long battle with colon cancer.

Me & My Dad July 2010

Even though he is not here, I would like to celebrate his birthday.

This birthday celebration is for the life he lived! The wonderful 50 years he had on this earth.

My Dad

But I don't want you all to know about him for his cancer. 

I want to share with you what a wonderful man he was.

Labor Day 2009

My father was the kind of man who would bring food to a homeless man on the corner of the road, take a lost teenager under his wing, help those in need. He cared about each and every person he met, no matter who they were, or what they believed.

My whole life, I remember growing up with a father who loved me and who loved my siblings, and who loved my mother with his whole heart.

And more importantly, he loved God.

He never let anything distract him from his family or from God. 

He was a man who made sacrifices of things he wanted or needed to take care of us and others.

My Dad doing what he did best.

I have taken a lot of lessons from my father but three stand out in my mind.

Live life with love.

Be selfless.

Respect yourself and others.

So, as I go about my day on January 28, 2012 , I will remember all the birthdays that we celebrated with my father & all the years I had with him.

Happy Birthday Dad! 
Today is a celebration of you!

My Dad's 50th Birthday 1-28-11

I love you Dad.

❤
 Lolli

This year Dad, we are sending your birthday wishes up to Heaven.
(balloon photo source: photobucket)