Tomas Martinez Martinez

rising of the sun-

begins our new journey, together as a family-

without you.

Beloved, Dad…,

You are no longer in pain,

you are no longer bound-

to ache-

to suffering,

but,

now made complete,

now you are whole,

returned to your fullness,

which,

brings us comfort.

You will be deeply missed.

Thank you,

for loving,

for giving,

for growing,

and for changing,

for becoming-

the best version of you.

I will miss your scolding-

along with your softness,

I will miss your fierce-protection,

along with your quiet pride.

I see now,

I understand,

everything you did,

was preparing us for this moment-

the day you would leave our side in body,

yet,

remain with us in spirit.

We bumped heads,

you and I,

but even then,

it was and has,

always been love.

You loved the way you knew how,

and I am so thankful-

for every form it took.

I am honored-

I got to witness

your becoming-

to see you transform,

into your truest,

strongest self.

Time feels,

stopped for us now,

but,

it will begin again.

We will,

carry on in your strength,

in your legacy,

in the love-

you have poured into us.

Through the rough lessons,

through the music,

through the great gatherings,

through the meals cooked,

through the great love you became-

you are everywhere.

Dad,

I love you,

and I will miss all of you, completely.

You have been preparing us

for this day all along.

Now we,

will all come together-

to mourn

to celebrate your life.

We will each grieve,

in our own way,

but grieve we will-

for the loss of a Father,

a Grandfather,

a Great-Grandfather,

a Great-Great-Grandfather,

a brother,

an uncle,

a cousin,

a friend,

a husband,

for the loss of a strong man.

Yet,

within every loss,

there is a circle of love gained.

Each of us carries a piece of you-

a spark of your courage,

a note of your laughter,

a flavor of your cooking,

a rhythm of your stories-

woven into our souls,

because you were part of our lives.

We have been touched by an angel.

I am,

Father,

your beloved Daughter-

and the love between us

will live on-

in all of us,

always.

-Lorena Martinez

“I am my Father’s Daughter- I love you you so much, am so thankful for everything you have been for me. Love you Dad”-Lorena

11.24.25