Dear Kelly,
Your post made me cry. My dad and I are so close and also share a very special bond. I can't imagine losing him. I don't even want to think about that. I know your dad can see your heart and can see how you feel. Like Maria said, he does live on- through you. And although you couldn't make it to the cemetary, it's ok. He understands and he can see you and know you care anyway. His body is in the cemetary, but his spirit lives on in you. I'm sure he is smiling in heaven and is proud of you.
Dear brother,
I'm so glad you came home this weekend before moving to your new base in Kansas. I'm so glad that dad decided we all needed to go to the airport to greet you. It was great to see your look of surprise at our big group. I'm sorry I spent the whole weekend randomly crying. But, it really helped me feel less crazy to see you wiping tears every now and again too. I'm so proud of you. We've always been close, and as we get older and our lives change it only seems to bring us closer. I'm so lucky to have you, it's funny that after all these years we are still so similar. I laughed out loud when I got in your car yesterday and you were playing the same CD I'd been listening to all the way up north and have the same three favorite songs. I'm so proud of the man you have become, of your service to your country, of your pride in your job, of your beautiful wife, of your daughter that I love more than life. Through our struggles over the years we have become stronger and you've helped me through so much- you're the best brother, not to mention the best friend a sister could ask for. Drive safe, call as soon as you get there. You're only 14 hours away, so you know I'll come visit soon. Oh yeah, and as soon as Christina gets her next ultrasound you better call quick- I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl! I have a feeling it's a boy. That would make Ava three years older than her little brother- it would be exactly like you and I, and I think that would be perfect.