no other

When I woke up this morning, I wondered how long I could go through the day without breaking down.  I was doing pretty well.  Until my brother's email. 

My brothers have a way of making me break down.  Because when their hearts are breaking, my heart breaks, too.  Double.  Triple. 

Needless to say, my brothers are the loves of my life.  And my brother's email paying tribute to my stepdad on the one year marking his death just broke my heart.  Because like my brother said, there is no one like my stepdad. 

My stepdad was the kindest and most loving man.  And I truly believe he was a gift from God.  He changed my mom's life.  He changed my brothers' lives.  And he changed mine.  Although I will never understand why he was brought to our lives only to be taken so soon, I am and will always be thankful that he was a part of our lives.  He will forever be missed and loved.  Because there is truly no one like him.

And his death made me realize that we must love the ones we love.  Every single day.  We must seize every opportunity to let the ones we love know how truly loved they are.  Because we never know when they'll be gone.  

I miss my stepdad.  I miss our conversations.  I miss his smile.  And I miss his presence by my mom's side.

But I also know that he will always live on in our hearts.  With love. 

photo: monsieur nounou