I miss your call today. I miss how every birthday you would find a way to make it special. We grew up limited to resources, but you alway made it happen. You always came home with a cake and some food. You always made sure we had a cake. I don’t know how, but you did.

As adults, you made sure we got a call from you and a lunch out. I miss you dad. I miss you so much. Today is the first birthday without you on earth. I am mad you were taken away. I am mad that COVID is still here and you’re gone. I am sad that I can’t hug you today. I am sad that I can’t call you and hear your voice. Today I will take flowers to your resting place. I want you to know that you mean the world to me. Happy Valentine’s Day, dad. I know you’re wishing me a happy birthday from heaven.

I’m missing my husband Gene so much this Super Bowl Sunday. He was a die-hard Jets fan ( his license plate was GO JETZ ) and hoped that they would make it to the big game before he passed. They did not.

Regardless of who’s playing this year, we would have been watching it at home together. I’ll be watching it alone, thinking of Gene every minute, remembering all the games we watched. I love you sweetheart, Go Jets!

My Mama loved Valentine’s Day and loved my daughter Sophia who was born on my Mama’s birthday. They had this special bond and we only lived a few miles apart. Every Valentine’s Day she would hand make a Valentine card and the two of them would make heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink icing and my Mom always gave my daughter a small heart shaped box filled with candy.

As my Mom approached her 80’s, the rheumatoid arthritis in her hands prevented her from making cookies but she always made sure she went to the bakery and bought Sophia a pink cupcake. My Mom would also write a poem to my daughter. How I wish my Mama was still alive to see my daughter graduate from nursing school. My Mama was a school nurse when I was growing up and I know she would have been so proud to see her receive her BSN. Sophia and I talk every day and share our favorite memories with her Nana.

Uno, Chicago rules, draw until you can play, or until you have a couple of draw 4’s in your hand. Last time she was awake, we played Uno. Always a laugh and an extended game. The laugh, the love, the memories, always in my heart.

Son, brother, father, grandpa, uncle … the best and most amazing of all. He was kind, caring, loving. Always there when you needed him. His motto “Till the wheels fall off” — his expression of how much he loved you. You have left such a huge hole in our hearts. The laughter you gave us is not the same without your presence. You are deeply missed. Brother, life is not the same without you. I never imagined a life without you by my side. Please continue to watch over us from heaven. May you and your Covid warriors help our families heal from the loss of all our loved ones. To infinity and beyond, brother.