Today, my dad would've turned 67. It's the first birthday we'll celebrate without him. As the day goes by, the realization that he's no longer with us really sets in. I know this day is going to be very rough for all of us, especially my mom. She's experiencing a whole different level of sorrow than my brothers & I. 

My youngest brother already sent me a text message this morning with a simple "I miss him" but simple as it may be, a text message on the phone, I know what he's feeling on the other side of that line because I'm feeling the same way. I know my brother Rick is also down. I don't need to ask him. I just know because he was taking care of my dad till his final days. Today is a tough day for him too.

Dad, we miss you so much but we know you're better off now. A couple of things that I would've given you today:

A bottle of Jovan, your favorite cologne. As much as we tried to get you to switch to something cooler, you loved your Jovan:
<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Coty_Jovan_Musk_for_Men_Aftershave_50ml.jpg"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Coty_Jovan_Musk_for_Men_Aftershave_50ml-152x300.jpg" alt="Coty_Jovan_Musk_for_Men_Aftershave_50ml" title="Coty_Jovan_Musk_for_Men_Aftershave_50ml" width="152" height="300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-424" /></a>

Kisses and hugs from your 8 grandchildren:
<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pics-196.jpg"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pics-196-300x225.jpg" alt="pics 196" title="pics 196" width="300" height="225" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-428" /></a>

Another day in North Carolina:
<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/IMG_0479.JPG"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/IMG_0479-300x225.jpg" alt="IMG_0479" title="IMG_0479" width="300" height="225" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425" /></a>

More time being harassed by your sons:
<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pics-040.jpg"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pics-040-225x300.jpg" alt="pics 040" title="pics 040" width="225" height="300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-430" /></a>

Enchilado de Langosta:
<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/enchilado.jpg"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/enchilado-300x199.jpg" alt="enchilado" title="enchilado" width="300" height="199" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-432" /></a>

Most of all, I would've given you more time with Mom:
<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pics-134.jpg"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pics-134-300x225.jpg" alt="pics 134" title="pics 134" width="300" height="225" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-433" /></a>

<a href="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/S30-6-13-04-040.jpg"><img src="http://blog.reybango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/S30-6-13-04-040-300x225.jpg" alt="S30 6-13-04 040" title="S30 6-13-04 040" width="300" height="225" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-434" /></a>

