Today I Celebrate Pillars of Strength

Today, as I celebrate my father, I think of all the ways he has shown his love for my sisters and I. For years, my Papi lived constantly surrounded by girly commotions. All the while, we hardly ever heard a mean peep out of him. Sense of humor was never lacking in our home. His laughter has always been a constant, as was ours. Sing-alongs were tweaked in exchange for a giggle and funny faces stood frozen for a moment in time. Family togetherness was a key component in our everyday life. When I was 2yrs old, my Mami was encouraged by her doctors to travel to the United States to seek better care for her deteriorating eye-sight. Without hesitation, my father gave up his career as a chemist in Costa Rica in order to keep the family intact. The States became our adopted home and times got tough. But, my Papi took the difficulties with stride and continues to do so. No words can express how proud I am of him. To think of all the sacrifices he has made for our family and to do it with nothing but love in his heart. He is a remarkable man and one that I'm privileged to call my Papi.

Today, as I celebrate my husband, I think of the blessing he is to my little guy and myself. God blessed us with a man who is totally dedicated to our family, giving us his all each and everyday. The day our little guy was born, a proud daddy was born as well. With tears of joy, his love for him was immediately evident. I always knew he was a great man, but to see his greatness blossom into fatherhood makes my love for him even stronger. He works hard so that I'm able to stay-at-home. Never has he complained about my not working (outside of the home). He understands that being a stay-at-home mom is not an easy task. It's an amazing feeling to know that my hard-work is being validated. I see in him the happy spirit of my Papi. For the sake of the little guy's laughter, he'll pull up his pants in an old man's fashion and talk as if he hasn't got one tooth left. There's nothing like seeing the child in a man, coming out to play with his children. In him, I see the reflection of two great fathers, mine and his.

Today, as I celebrate my Father-in-law, Jerry, I'm filled with gratitude, thanking him for molding my husband into the wonderful man and father he is today. Greatness is not something you can learn in a day or two. It takes a lifetime of teachings to nurture a great soul. He led by example teaching his boys how to lead a respectful and honorable life. It shows in the way my husband takes care of his family. It shows in the way my husband speaks to me. It shows in the way my husband smiles. All the greatness I see in my Father-in-law, I see in my husband.

Today, as I celebrate these three great men, I'm reminded of how fortunate my little guy is, as am I, to have such pillars of strength in our lives. I thank God for the gift of these men. What a blessing it would be to see my little guy follow in their footsteps.