Dear Dad, You've been the only real father-figure and male role model I've ever known. For 38 years now you have taught & guided me, stood by my side and been my cheerleader thru the good and bad times.  You taught me how to steer a car that wouldn't start at 9; an automatic by 12 and a stick shift by age 14. You and I still laughed about how you would scream, "let off the clutch!" I started working beside you fluffing bags of chips @ your 2nd job, Frito-Lay after working all night 10-12 hrs @ Knk. I drove us all over Tampa @ 12 years old. And once I had the route memorized, you slept in-between stores. At 18 (1997) you hired me on as a painter apprentice @ $10 an hrs. I had never painted but you didn't care & taught me! My work-a-holic drive was instilled by you, taking pride in myself & sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs to provide for us.  You treated Mom like a Queen! Never once can I recall you disrespecting her, calling her out of her name, and NEVER raising a hand to her. You did not believe in spanking so you would make us yell while you pretended to use a belt on us. When I started my lifelong criminal career, you said, "I'm not mad you, I'm disappointed.  As smart as you are, you're in here for pennies when you could have gotten away with millions!" You saw the good and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. When I had my children, you were so excited to be a Grandpa but because of a rough start, I was terrified.  I would take them away from you. I promised you then that I would never allow a disagreement to come in between their relationship with you! I'm so sorry I couldn't  be there with you holding your hand,  trimming your hair & beard, doing your toenails and feet, getting you so handsome for your reunion with your Mom. The only way I've been able to wrap my head around this whole thing is knowing that besides my mom, my siblings and your grandkids, the only thing you wanted was one day to reunite with your Mom again.  All these years she has has smiled from Heaven, proud of her baby boy. She has been your Angel in the sky! Now sadly, you will be mine. However, anytime I watch an action/ kung-fu or western movie, I know you'll be beside me with a plate of burnt chicken, black beans with smokey rice & yuca! Thank you for being my dad when you didn't have to. I love you, I'll miss you terribly but I know when my time comes, you'll be there to pick me up, make me drive and show me your mountain top! I love you Dad, your daughter Crystal