09/01/2026
Today, September 1st, marks one year since my dad left us. 💙
My father was a simple man. He never asked for much and never needed much. His greatest happiness was his family. He adored my mother, his children and his grandchildren. Give him a weekend with all of us together, and he had everything he needed.
He came to this country with very little and built so much through hard work, honesty and determination. If I have the work ethic I have today, I learned it from him. There isn’t a day in my work especially in construction and business that I don’t hear something he taught me: Always get two prices. Don’t trust too easily. Keep them guessing. Never burn your bridges. I still find myself asking, What would Dad have done?
But perhaps the greatest gift he gave me was becoming a second father to my boys when they needed a father the most, after losing their own dad. For that, there are simply no words. He loved them, guided them and was there for them when our family needed him most.
As painful as it is not to have him here every day, I also have a sense of peace. Before he died, he would say, “If God takes me now, I will die a happy man. I have everything I ever wanted.” His family was complete. His heart was full.
There is something beautiful about leaving this life feeling fulfilled.
And through my faith, I hold onto the hope that this was not goodbye. I hope he is with my husband, his family, my grandparents and all those we have loved and lost and that one day, when God chooses, we will all be together again.
Until then, Dad, I carry you with me in my family, in my work, in the way I live, and in everything I continue to build.
May God rest your beautiful soul.
Αιωνία σου η μνήμη. 💙
