Your great-grandmother, was very sick with pancreatic cancer. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with her during the last week of her life. A few days before she passed away, she told me that I had a very beautiful family and to always remember that family was everything. She was only 64 when she died, and now that I am close to 63, well, let's just say I have more yesterdays than I do tomorrows. I hope I have many more years ahead of me, but just in case I don't, I want to leave as many thoughts, stories, and pictures with you as possible.

My advice to you is simple. Work hard, keep learning, and build a life that makes you proud and happy. Follow your curiosity, treat people with kindness, and take care of the people who matter most to you. When you meet people for the first time, always try to make yourself memorable and give them a reason to smile when they walk away. No matter what you do, never become dependent on anyone. Always be able to take care of yourself and your family.

There is an old saying that the people you love the most can sometimes hurt you the most. It is okay to feel angry at times, but do not let that anger turn into bitterness. Most importantly, do not shut family and friends completely out of your life over something petty, or let stubbornness destroy a relationship with the people you love. It is one thing to be mad or upset with someone. It is another thing to be deliberately hurtful and spiteful, especially over something that is simply a difference of opinion.

As time passes, you may look back and realize there were things that should have been said or done differently. Try not to dwell on that. Accept things as they are, and learn not only from your own mistakes, but from the mistakes of others too. Learn how to argue and have disagreements respectfully and fairly. I have never ended a text or a phone call with someone I love without telling them that I love them, regardless of the kind of conversation we were having. Your grandmother and I have had many heated arguments over the years, but we always made sure the other knew we still loved one another, and we always apologized and made up.

Even though we are not able to see you right now, all of you will always be part of our family. Nothing can ever change that. Time and distance do not change how much you are loved or how much you matter to us.

Through this website, you will be able to learn about your family, our history, and the people who came before you. You will see where you come from and learn about the lives, values, and love that helped shape our family.

Our greatest wish is that one day we will have the chance to watch you grow into fine young men and perhaps even meet the families you build someday. Until then, please know that you are always in our hearts and always part of this family.