Johnny De los Santos

My dad has always been my super hero. Whenever I talked about him to anyone, my face always lights up. Even as a little girl, I was so proud that he's my dad. Every one of my friends that has met him used to say, "your dad is so cool" and he was. He was not an affectionate man but he showed his love in his actions. When any of us are sick, he would pop in unannounced and bring us food. When I have a problem, he was one of the first person I turned to. He always knew what to do. He was the rock of our family. He was the one that everyone held on to, to weather the storm. I remembered years ago when I was at my low point. I kept it to myself and pretended everything was okay. I didn't think he noticed that I was in pain. He took me aside one afternoon and told me that he will always be there no matter what my decision was. IT was at that moment that I realized that with his support, everything will be alright. One word comes to mind when I think of my dad. That word is strength. I remembered years ago when he was faced with moving the location of the factory. This was not a small feat and after months of trying to find a new place, he was about to sign a lease to a new location. I remembered sitting in a restaurant with him as he just found out that the new location will not work due to permit issue. So, after all that, he was back to square one. I remembered thinking how stressful this must be for him as time is running out. I wish there was something I could do but I felt powerless. But he just sat there as he smiled reassuringly and said everything will be alright….and it was. For some reason, he always figured it out. My dad is by no means a perfect man but he had a good heart. He dedicated his life to his family. He was loved by all his friends and those that he worked with. He was generous, thoughtful and kind. He was respected as well as admired by a lot of people. Knowing all this, I feel so proud that he is my dad and I had so many beautiful memories that will live in my heart. I'm so glad that my son got to spend time with him and witnessed what a great grandfather he was as well. He was not one to play with the grandkids…but every so often, he would randomly take my son to his favorite toy store and his favorite restaurant and just spend some quality time with him. I will always remember him sitting by the pool and watch all the kids play with a smile in his face. He would always bring snacks out for everyone. This was all it took to make him happy. As it finally sank in that I will never be able to have our talks again, I wondered what happens when the super hero in your life is suddenly gone. How do we go on? I woke up this morning and realized that he lives inside me. His memories will live on and I can hear him say to me as he said all those years ago, everything will be alright. After all, I am my father's daughter and his strength lives in me. I will always persevere no matter what life throws at me because that's what he taught me. He was my dad, my hero, my light….and that light will always burn brightly as long as I live. (I'm attaching one of the last picture I took with just my dad and I. It was my 50th birthday I'm so glad you were there pa!)