8 years later and Heaven is filled with Papa and George Steinbrenner

July 13, 2002, my Dad, Efrain, died of lung cancer in my home. I was home with my husband Jeff and my sister Rain who had just flown in a few hours before from California. We were listening to beautiful music, John Coltrane before I checked my Dad once last time. He was gone.

For nearly a month, I slept near his bed on a little couch I bought from IKEA. It was so perfect. People would come to visit and sit on the little couch and I felt I provided him with an opportunity to say his goodbyes. He knew he was dying. He told me while in my car, "I don't care about dying my love, I just don't want to be in pain". I promised him that day that I would never let him suffer and I didn't. My father was my life long project. I didn't know it then, but I know it now. He wasn't always the best father, the best role model, the best friend... but eventually, he became all of that and more. He has been one of my biggest inspirations!

Catherine was born and my father changed his lifestyle, his world and I couldn't have been happier. The sparkle in his eye grew brighter when in her presence. She was magic to him and nothing could go wrong as long as he was allowed to play and cook and chase her around the house. All of this he did, all the time. I worked nights and would scramble for childcare as a single mother and drop her off at his house for two hours until my mother could pick her up after her work day at 5:00 to take her home. I look back and think how amazing this family pulled together to take care of my child, their child. I was never once told "no, I can't watch her" when it came to Catherine. Never. My father would drive from Paterson to Kinnelon 5 days a week. 5 of those days, he made us all dinner. He was a great cook and taught me so much. He taught all of us so much. Until my husband Jeff met my father, he had never hugged or kissed another man. My father embraced him and loved him intensely. It has been a life lesson.

Since the day I was born in 1966, every year, I spent the World Series, New Years Eve and the Presidential Elections with my Dad. These are the most memorable of times for me. That ended in 2002 with him but I wouldn't allow to end for me or my children.

Now, I spend them with my children and my husband and hopefully, my sisters and friends who I implore to join me... I still laugh at the sight of Jeff in the streets of our quiet neighborhood at midnight with the bear/blowhorn when Obama won. My father would have been so proud!!!

Nothing ever dies... I believe this. I carry him and his energy everyday... His lifeforce was amazing

For George Steinbrenner to die on the anniversary of my father's death made me laugh. There wasn't a bigger fan of baseball than my Dad (maybe my husband)...

Hopefully, they are sitting around talking about the World Series.... (hopefully not the All Stars Game tonight, LOL)

Blue Skies, Love and More Love

Jordan