Thursday, June 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Dad

My Dad, Joseph Paul Rivera would have been 65 years old today, but on January 22, 2005 he lost the fight against lung cancer at the young age of 60. He fought a good fight and passed away quietly with all of his family surrounding him.

Today I honor him and want you all to know what a special man he was to me. He loved his family and did anything and everything to protect us. He always wanted to best for us and it makes me understand more and more every day why he was so hard and strict with us. He wanted us to have more than he did and do some thing good with our life's. He worked so hard to support our family and take care of my mom and his 13 kids. Yes, that's right, I said
13...... 5 boys and 8 girls !!!! It is what we call his "little tribe" or his legacy. :) My mom and him were a good team when it came to parenting and NOTHING got past them.

If he were still alive we would have celebrated his birthday like this.... A Barbecue, A BIG Chocolate Cake, swimming, and of course a little mariachi music (that he would not know one word too, but says he does) LOL! And of course he would probably be wearing his favorite cut off shorts, tube socks and a bandanna. LOL! Miss you dad!!!

Happy Birthday CHIEF!!!!!


One of the last pictures I have of my dad and I together..... 2 months before he passed away.

Dad,

I hope and pray that I have made you proud so far. I wish so bad that you could see how happy I am and meet my two sweet little girls. I wish that you could watch them play in your backyard and run around with them. We talk to them about their Papa Joe all the time and they know that you are in Heaven right now and they will meet you one day. Mike and I are doing great. He takes such great care of us girls and is a hard worker. He is the best husband a girl could ever hope and pray for. You would love how handy he is. He is just like you, he could fix and build anything. You two would have had a lot of fun together. Maybe one day you can work on something together. I love and miss you dad. God be with you, till we meet again.

Love,

Your daughter, Jessett

10 comments:

Brandon and Erin said...

so I am already emotional...but you totally made me cry! What a beautiful comment about your dad. I am sure he is proud and loves you and watches over you! Love ya!

Emily said...

Well that's just too sweet. You have to know he's the proudest dad in all of heaven!

Marchezt said...

That was so sweet! I'm sure he loves to watch over you guys.

Hope all is well!

Kara said...

Oh, that made me cry! He sounds like such a great man and I'm very sure he is so proud of you and watching over you and your family.

It was GREAT to talk to you yesterday. I can't wait to see you!

Unknown said...

How could your dad not be proud of you? You and Mike are raising a wonderful family that I am envious of! You are a wonderful person that I am so blessed to know and be friends with. Your dad is proud and cheering you on every day!

Whitney Easton said...

I'm emotional too, so I probably shouldn't have read this at work :( .. I second what Erin said...I'm so glad she ( and I ) has a friend like you who understands all that is involved with losing parents! Love you and can't wait to see you when you move up here! Stay strong!!

Jessica Marie said...

aww, now that I am crying here. Jessett, I knew your father for many years he was a wonderful man and father. I know from personal experience how hard this is for you .... as it is my first Fathers Day without my dad. Even though it is is hard for me unfortunately, I was not blessed with the loving memories you have ..... I am sure he is proud of you and your new family. You will be together again .... that is the best part.
Hugs and love,
Angelique

The Randall Family said...

Jessett,
I didn't know that your Dad passed away from lung cancer. My father passed away from lung cancer as well. My Dad passed away when he was 54 years old, I was 21 at the time. You are such a strong person and you are a great example to everyone around you. Anniversary dates are tough, but I'm sure that you know that your Dad is well aware of all that you and Mike have done. He has to be so proud of you!

The Peterson's said...

My love to Chief! For those of you who didn't know him, he was AWESOME. LOL with the cut off jean shorts, tube sock and bandana. I liked the memorial.

Bringhursts said...

No fair! That makes me want to cry.