I learned kindness and compassion. I learned resilience. I learned how to never give up, ever, for what you believe in. I learned that love always comes back around when you least expect it. I learned how to help the homeless. I had a model for unrelenting parental love. I learned to give and expect nothing in return rather to give from the kindness of your heart. I watched my dad run selflessly into a fire to try and save a neighbor's life so I learned heroism.   I learned that life is amazing and to always treasure it. And that you can't judge a book by it's cover. I learned how to stand up for myself and never be intimidated for when you speak the truth others will listen and believe and if they don't it doesn't make your truth any less powerful.   He taught me to trust my gut instincts.   He also taught me it's okay to make mistakes because no one is perfect.     Most importantly I learned love lives on after death and it is okay to feel whatever you are feeling in an exact moment and to not give a damn what others think about you 😁.    I learned that unconditional love will always win in the worst of times and there is always one person, or sometimes a few who will have your back no matter what-- and that there will be others who will not.  At age 7 he taught me some self defense moves in case I was ever in fear.    I learned from him so many life lessons and I miss the four words "I love you kid". I learned that if you write a grant and while thinking of the deceased love one while writing it and working hard at it you might just get lucky and get it 💞.    Most importantly I learned parental love lives on forever and that I am a blessed woman indeed.     I learned the best love from a parent because having him for a dad taught me I was loved through the best of times and worst of times and he loved me no matter what.   I learned generosity from him and I learned that money is just money it can always come back to you if you spend it helping others.    And it's true for what random act of kindness for someone have I ever regretted? None!   I learned angels live among us and through us and their soul and light keeps you going on the days you just want to hang your head and cry.   I learned to ask for help from him bc he taught me asking for help is never a sign of weakness it is a sign you're a person and all people need help from time to time.   What more could I have asked for in a dad?  I even miss him calling me a pain in the ass lol.   That's how great the man was.   He knew me like a book.    Since I never got to do an obituary at his time of death it is comforting sharing his memories and life now.    I still have his seashells and his pictures and his favorite necklace...but mostly I have a lifetime of memories, vacations, kindness, laughter, joy, us going to the Bay State games together...walking around Boston...his proud face at my college graduation.. singing to 8 tracks in his car.... Trips driving together looking at colleges I was accepted into... Breakfast at the A1 deli, Bobos subs, Telly's pizza... Strawberry frosted donuts he bought for my kids... (& chocolate).... Beach days when he refused to take off those loafers and white socks....grrrr.... Fishing trips.... Motorcycle rides... A lot of beach food.... And clams....and scallops....my boombox I wanted so bad when I was 12....the treehouse he had built for me... Our dog named Bear....late night 45 card games... Going to work with him while he fixed TVs on Saturdays....one day I ended up getting a signed autographed pic from Lynda Carter who happened to be the niece of someone's TV he was repairing... The dad who decided to pay for my prom gown entirely if I bought the more modest gown lol (he was only supposed to pay half but as I was debating the more modest gown he purchased entirely bc I think the idea of his daughter in a low cut prom gown would have been the death of him lol)...a LOT of Dunkin donuts trips....staying with him and my children on a Florida vacation where he lived in later years... but his true love was always Haverhill.    School shopping, gliding on the gliding swing we had... Looking up at stars together...going camping....

It takes maturity to realize all you have learned and loved from a parent.  I'm glad I got the best dad a girl could ever ask for.