To Kenny

My dearest Kenny,

From the moment you were born, I knew you would be special. You have taught me so many things, shown me so much love; I can’t even begin to repay you. Remember the good times we had, don’t dwell on my passing, as I am in Heaven, watching over you. Your mother and I went to the doctors before you were born, to get an ultrasound. They asked us if we wanted to know the gender, of course I did. I was smiling from the ultrasound visit until you were born. Actually, I haven’t stopped smiling. Just thinking of you makes me smile.

I learned some of my most valuable lessons in life from you, the most important one being loving someone unconditionally. Through all the mistakes I have made in life, you stood by me and never judged me. You never once showed your disappoint in me, even though, time after time, I know I have let you down. You accepted me as I am, while others wanted me to conform to their image of me. That is unconditional love. Use that same love in your search for a mate, and you will have a marriage that lasts a lifetime. I hope that I get to be at your wedding.

Knowing that I have ALS is a very hard thing for you to deal with, yet you refuse to let it get you down. You are always strong, and I am so proud of you for that. Being a junior has a lot of downsides, trying to fill the shoes of the person that you are named after is one of them. You have not only filled my shoes, you have outgrown them, and continue to need new ones to fill. You are the greatest gift from God I have ever received, and if God were to take me now, I know my purpose on this planet was fulfilled in His eyes.

I have asked that friends and family leave you a little note expressing what I meant to them and how I may have touched their lives. If you ever need to know what kind of person I was, this is the place for that. All of it may not be good, but all of it I know is a small representation of who I am. When your kids grow up asking about their Grampa, you can show them this list.

I love you more than words can say, and will always be looking down on you from Heaven.

Love,
Dad