Donaciano Rios

Dearest Dad, Oh my goodness, where do I start! I woke up today knowing that it was the 15th anniversary of your passing and yest a part of me wanted to live in denial of it. I have vivid dreams occasionally of you still being here with us. Your guiding help, your loving heart, and your joyous smile always so real in each of my dreams. Then of course, morning comes and the reality of your absence settle in. Though my heart misses you and longs to see, hear, smell and touch you one more...

Dad, it will be 15 years since I´ve seen your beautiful eyes and saw your beautiful smile. I know how very lucky we were to have you as our dad, to learn from you about family and the very importance of it. When I look at pictures of you I see your smile, but also remember the joy with which you lived life when surrounded by your family and those you love. We always miss what we had after the fact and I know I miss you so very much. I frequently ask for your help when things get difficult or...

Dad, Year fourteen (14!) without you. Your spirit is still very much with us as we keep you alive through our conversations and memories of all things Chanito. Your beautiful smile, your kind yet somewhat mischevious eyes, your wit and undeniable humor. The thing that we honor most and try to keep alive always is your 'family first' motto. It wasn't just a motto for you, you fully lived and honored it. No matter how big or small the need of a family member, you always made a way to help...

Thirteen years have passed since you left your earthly body to be with our Lord. What a wonderfully warm feeling of comfort to know that you are in His eternal glory. You are thought about daily and references are made so often to your teachings, humor, charisma, and genuine kindness. Our family has grown since your passing and as you have left your imprint on each of us, thus there are hints of you in each of them. Sighting of hearts in the most random of places and in the most unique...

Time has passed, but our love for you remains alive and strong as ever. Our hearts are warmed by knowing that you are sharing your infectious smile and humor with the angels, and that we were blessed with your time here on earth. We continue to talk about and cherish our family memories with you and to build new family memories, with the belief that you are still sharing these with us. I am sure you are dancing and singing Mariachi songs in heaven. Missing you more during this...

It's been 11 years and while the void of his earthly presence is continuously felt, we also are blessed with vivid and comforting memories which, just like him, are larger than life. How blessed we were to have him for the time we did. The lessons he taught us live on, the love he established in this family is powerful and shines on in each of lives separately and even more so unites us. While I mourn your loss, I also revere and so cherish the gift of your life that lives on. "Pero...

It has been two years since the passing of our dear father. We miss him so very much. There are wonderful memories of him everywhere I turn, but the best memories and stories come from my Mom who will occasionally share with me. He taught all of us so very much, but for our dear mother he was ever so much more. The lessons and values he taught us are also strong within my mother's character. They shared so much between them from growing up poor to working hard together for a better future...