My Dad

He endured the abuse of the Japanese occupation during World War II.  That was all dad would tell us about when he was a young teen back in 1944.  When he was 17 years old he joined the Air Force and left his island of Guam.  He loved fishing, hunting, camping - Dad just loved being outdoors.  He was a strict fatherly figure.  Pretty much giving us his full attention when we screwed up but he sure taught us responsibility and always doing "something constructive."

My dad passed away on November 4th.  I was not prepared for dad to just leave us.  But dad waited until nobody was looking and by himself he parted this earth.  He waited until my little sister was on a business trip because everytime dad left the island to get medical treatment in Hawaii, my little sister was there with him.  I truly felt that he passed when Lin was off-island because he knew that he couldn't take her on this trip.

Thanksgiving 2011 was just difficult to pull together but we knew that dad would have wanted us to come together and be thankful.  His roasting pan didn't come out this year, he didn't walk around the corner to take his place at the table, he didn't lead us in a moment of grace before the meal.  Dad always had a list of family members off-island that he would include in the grace prayer.

Death is inevitable.  It will happen to all of us.  Those left behind will mourn and then move on.  For now I mourn and I have been stumbling here and there having my moments going through the process.  Dad.......you are at peace now.  You will not hurt anymore.  Thank you for being a wonderful and loving father.