Where do I start, when it comes to telling my Dad's life story.... My Dad was born on November 1, 1945 he was the first born child to Robert and Charlotte Rodriguez. Then, my Dad was blessed with a baby sister name Lydia, they both were very close. My father and mother Yolanda met at a very young age and when my father was 19 years of age he became a loving, caring and wonderful father to his only child Susan. My father loved children, he was blessed with four grandchildren Jessica, Vanessa, Luis and Vincent and eight great-grandchildren, Janessa, Elisa, Gabriel, Natalie, Ariela, Tristen, Luciano and Frankie Jr. My father was a proud uncle to his newphew Richard, son of my Dad's sister Lydia. My aunt Lydia named her son after her brother. My father experienced many ups and downs in his life, but no matter what he was going though he always had a loving and caring heart. He brought many people to the Lord, that was one of the many things he was so proud of, he truly loved the Lord. My father was known by many people, he was the kind of man that was so easy to talk to, a person that you could share any thoughts and you knew he was listening. His words would give you such calmness to your heart and soul. As for myself, the hardest thing for me is not being able to pick up the phone and call my Daddy. I would call him everytime I had a problem and he would always get me though. When I would have had a great day, I would call him and share my day with him. I always knew that no matter what, he was going to cheer me up and make me laugh. Many of his friends and other family members felt the same. I thank God every day that I was able to spend the last days of my Father's life with him. Even in his last days on earth he was able to make his loved ones laugh, he would also make the nurses who cared for him laugh. He was amazing!!!! On the early morning of July 18, 2007 about 4:10 a.m. my Father made his journey to join his heavenly Father. At the time of his passing I was alone with him, I could not leave his side. My Dad passed very peacefully, I will always thank God for that blessing. I remember speaking with the nurse who told me that he was leaving us. I looked into my Dad's eyes as he took his last breathe, slowing closing his eyes. His last breathe was as he had a sigh of relief as he took the Lord's hands. It felt so strange... I wanted to scream and beg my Lord to bring him back. At first I thought I would lose my mind with anger, with hurt for I love my Dad so much and I knew this heartache would have a big change in my life. I wanted to hold on to my Dad's hand forever. But, I couldn't for I knew my Dad was at peace and he would no longer feel any pain, he was where he wanted to be and the Lord put happiness in my heart. I asked the nurse to help me clean my Dad and remove all the tubes his had connected to him. My Grandmother was on her way and I wanted my Dad to look peacefully and joyfull, and he did.... I cleaned my Dad face and combed his hair. Gave him many kisses and told him I loved him and would never, ever forget him. Other loved ones came to say their goodbyes. Now that I'm home it has gotten harder to get though the day, I've caught myself many times picking up the phone to call my Dad realizing he no longer here with us, and I try to hold back the tears but I fail to, as I feel them steaming down my face. I close my eyes and can see my Dad in heaven looking down at me and seeing his beautiful smile, and at that moment I feel at ease. I am so glad that I'm able to share my Dad's story with you. My Father may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
In Memory of a Loving... Son, Father, Brother, Husband,Uncle, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Friend who will be greatly missed.