This is a little late.

He was a great man; it is no exaggeration. There is a light that has left this world, and it can never be replaced. There were so many people he touched within his lifetime. He had so much to give, and he did. His selflessness is unmatched. I am so very blessed to have so many happy memories of him. I think everyone who knew him feels the same way. What else is there to say? I will miss him. I will miss him a lot.

The visitation and the funeral were perfect. Aside from the family drama, everything went well. It was a beautiful day: sunny and clear. He would have wanted it that way.

My brother and I spoke at his funeral, as well as my stepmom's mother. I tried not to cry when I spoke, but I couldn't hold them back. I'm not even sure anyone could understand me. I spoke of all the times he would wake me up in the mornings as a little girl and say, "Jasmine, wake up. The sun is shining and the birds are singing." I said that the birds are still singing and the sun is still shining and to never forget that. And I wanted to let everyone know that he's not gone. He's not gone.

Part of me is pissed off that he had to leave. Part of me is happy for him because he's no longer in pain. He is being cremated, I think in part as my stepmom put it "to burn all that damn cancer away." But he fought to the end, and he died gracefully.

I'm going to miss you, daddy. I'll never forget you. I'll never forget the things you taught me or the good times we had together. And I just want you to know that I love you so much.

I love you, daddy.

In Loving Memory
Eugene James Sword
October 29, 1955 - January 5, 2008