A Cross Between Don Corleone and Emeril Lagasse

I consider myself extremely lucky on many fronts. One of those being the fact that I have two wonderful fathers who love me very much. See, my mother remarried when I was four and I assumed the adopted name of my new dad a few years later when it became apparent that he was worthy of having me as a son. Being older now (37) and a little wiser, I now know that the reverse is actually the case. I am truly worthy to have had him as a father. He passed on in March of 1998 after a long battle with cancer and although his presence has been extremely missed for over 8 years, his influence will remain forever in the lives of those he came across. I am one of those lucky individuals. And while he is up there whistling alongside Mr. Sinatra and stirring his pasta sauce, I just hope I can make him proud down here until I get the chance to dine with him again.

I wrote this poem on his birthday the year he moved on...

To Dad, on Your Birthday

September 17, 1998

To Dad, on your birthday,

I know you're not here,

physically that is,

although your spirit is near.

We love you, we miss you,

and we celebrate this day

in remembrance of your life

and all the love that you gave.

To me and my mom,

and everyone you met,

you created so much joy

and we will not forget.

You gave us the example

of what kind of life to lead,

and you gave us good advice,

all of which we will heed.

We miss all the things

that we were able to do

as a family together;

myself, mom, and you.

All the fish we would catch,

and the dinners we ate,

and oh, the pasta,

it was always so great!

We know it's not over.

We'll be together again.

But for now it's a little hard,

to wait until then.

You will always be with us

through all of the years,

through all of our happiness,

and through all of our tears.

But the one thing I miss the most

about your life's end,

is that you were not only my father,

but you became my best friend.

Love Always,

G