Dear Father

"My dad, my hero..."

Born in 1961 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, my father's story is one of resilience and unwavering devotion. Emerging from a humble background, he hailed from a family of limited means. My grandfather toiled in hotel kitchens while my grandmother held down the fort as a dedicated homemaker. Among five siblings—four brothers and a sister—my father was the second youngest.

His early years can be encapsulated in a single word: fun. Childhood was a joyous tapestry woven with the threads of sibling camaraderie, cousins, and neighbors. However, at the tender age of 14, a stormcloud loomed—the loss of his father's job cast shadows that darkened their lives. Amid unemployment, his father grappled with alcoholism, altering the course of my father's adolescence. With older siblings having already married and left the household, my father took on the role of the family's anchor. The carefree days of teenagehood gave way to responsibility, as he juggled work and studies to provide for his loved ones.

While his peers embraced the carefree spirit of adolescence, my father shouldered adult burdens. Resources were limited, and his singular school uniform carried him through high school. Despite his financial constraints, he graduated with determination. Regrettably, the straits of the family's finances hindered his university aspirations.

The turning point arrived when the family's situation became untenable. In a move that both exemplified his resilience and tugged at his heartstrings, my father joined the army. Leaving behind his family and familiar surroundings, he embarked on an uncertain journey to a foreign land with a distinctly different culture.

During his time in the military, life took a cruel twist. While he was stationed afar, his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. His absence during her final moments remains a poignant regret. Yet, even amidst his personal struggles, my father's heart swelled with pride as his youngest sibling achieved what he could not—a college education. A bittersweet joy accompanied his attendance at his brother's graduation, a mere few weeks before his mother's passing. A year later, tragedy struck once more when his father passed away from a heart attack.

As life continued to unfold, my father's story of persistence saw him working as a janitor in a private company. Here, his life converged with my mother's. She had a desk job in a factory, though health concerns forced her to eventually leave. Together, they navigated financial challenges and called a modest apartment their home. The duo experienced days when food was scarce, a testament to their enduring commitment to each other.

Hard work was a cornerstone of my father's life, leading him through different roles until he secured his present position. Rising before dawn, at 3:30 am, he departs for his job each day. As a van and truck driver, he carries out his responsibilities with dedication. Six years ago, a car accident posed an alarming threat, leaving witnesses in awe that he emerged unscathed. Yet, life had more tests to administer—a fall at work led to physical therapy, culminating in a necessary surgery on his right shoulder two years ago.

Beyond his trials, my father stands tall as the epitome of compassion, dedication, and boundless love. His understanding nature as a husband and his extraordinary devotion as a father form a portrait of unfaltering support. His lessons resonate, revealing that a truly loving man seeks not his own happiness, but that of those he cherishes.

Now at the age of 57, he perseveres, a beacon of strength for his family. His pride in his daughter is evident, and I am privileged to have him as my father. He is the first person I loved wholeheartedly, teaching me to work diligently and chase my dreams. More than just a father, he is my hero—a symbol of sacrifice and resilience. In the tapestry of my life, he is a thread of inspiration, guiding my steps with his unwavering love and devotion.