A Tribute to My Father

Shortly after 9AM on Thursday, October 11nth, 2007- a wonderful man passed away.  My mother lost her husband of over 55 years.  I lost my father...my first hero.

Standing only 5 foot seven inches, my father was always a giant in my eyes.  Growing up I believed he could do anything.  He made my sisters and I feel safe-and more important, he made us feel loved.  He provided us with a good home, strong values and morals, and made us believe that we, too, could achieve just about anything if we tried.

I wish I could find the words to share with you what a kind and generous man that my father was (and always will be in my heart and memory)- but there are no words that can express this right now.  I miss him already, so very much.  I see the pain of his passing in my mother's eyes and wish I could give her a chance to see him just one more time...but even that would not be enough.

Luther VanDross sang a beautiful song (my favorite of all his wonderful melodies) called 'Dance with my Father Again'...and it expresses much of the sentiment that comes with the loss of someone so dear and important.

If I can do anything now, it would be to encourage everyone out there to take the opportunity to tell those you care about how much they mean to you right now.  Never let a chance to say "I love you" pass by.  You never know when the one you love will no longer be able to hear those precious words.

I thank God that I got to tell my father "I LOVE you" before he died.  I thank God that I had such a good Father (and Mother) that taught me the important things in life.  Love.  Kindness. Trust.  Compassion.  Understanding...and so much more.

Paul Joseph Lajoie- you will be missed by so many.  Thank you for being here with all of us, even if it didn't seem long enough.  Heaven just got another angel to watch over us.  Every time I see a bit of sawdust on the ground, I will know that you are watching over me.