Carlos,

I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, and I just wanted you to know that you haven’t been forgotten. I still miss you and wish you were here so we could talk and catch up.

Things are still going smoothly at the part-time job, and we’re still doing okay despite this Texas heat. Life keeps moving, but there are moments when I think about you and wish you were still here to share them with us.

I love you, brother, and I miss you more than words can say. You’ll always be remembered and always have a place in my heart.

Until we meet again, Carlos. ❤️

Love you always ,
Your brother Rick

Carlos,

You’ve been on my mind a lot lately, weighing heavy on my heart. I find myself coming back here to write to you, just to feel close and to say the things I wish I could still tell you in person. It brings me a little peace, and I like to believe somehow you can hear me.

Things are still pretty much the same down here. The grandkids are getting so big now—growing up faster than I ever imagined. I wish you could see them. I know you’d be proud.

Lately, I’ve had this feeling that Jesus has been trying to tell me something, but I just can’t seem to figure out what it is. Since you’re there with Him, maybe you could ask for me… help me understand what I’m supposed to hear.

Easter Sunday is coming up soon, and I’m looking forward to it—celebrating the resurrection and the hope that comes with it. It reminds me that this isn’t the end, that we’ll see each other again someday.

Something told me to write to you today, so here I am.

I love you forever and a day.

—Rick

Carlos,

I know it’s been a few months since I last wrote to you. Things down here have been kind of hectic lately. But you already know that. And you also know it’s not because I forgot about you — I could never forget about you. I still talk to you every single day.

Since September 10, 2024, not a day has gone by that I haven’t carried you with me. I miss you more than words can explain. There’s a space in my life that only a brother could fill.

I wish we had spent more time together. I really do. But I understand that we both had responsibilities to our own families, and we were doing what we had to do as men, as fathers, as providers. I’m just grateful that we found time for our brother lunch dates. Those moments meant more to me than I probably ever said out loud.

I want you to know that things are going well down here, even with the craziness of life. We’re staying strong and pushing forward. I know you’re in a better place, at peace, and that gives me comfort.

I love you, Carlos. Always have. Always will. Until we see each other again, keep watching over us.

Your brother forever. 
Rick Guzman

I missed posting to you last month, and I want to apologize for that. Even when I don’t write, not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. You’re still such a big part of my life, and I carry you with me in everything I do.
Thank you for visiting me in my dreams. Those moments have brought me so much comfort and peace, helping me cope with the emptiness of you not being here. Keep dropping by whenever you can — I miss our talks, even the ones about absolutely nothing. :) . Those were always the best.
I hope you’re doing well up there. From the things you’ve “told” me about heaven, it sounds like an incredible place, a different place than what we are use to down here  — peaceful, beautiful, and full of the love you always gave so freely down here. It makes me happy to know you’re somewhere better, surrounded by that light.
You’re still deeply loved and remembered by everyone who knew you. Someone asked me recently why I keep writing to you. They wondered if it helps me stay connected, or if it’s just my way of working through the grief. I didn’t have an answer then, and maybe I still don’t. All I know is that writing to you feels like sending a letter and hoping somehow you’ll receive it — and that brings me comfort.
Until we meet again, keep watching over us, brother. You’ll always be loved, always remembered, and forever missed.
Your brother 
Rick Guzman

To my dear brother Carlos,
It’s been exactly one year since you left this world, and not a single day has gone by that I haven’t thought about you. I miss you deeply, more than words can say. Life without you hasn’t been easy—it’s been a rough year, filled with moments where I’ve wished I could just hear your voice or feel your presence beside me.
But even though you’re gone, you already know—I still talk to you every day. In quiet moments, in laughter, in pain, I carry you with me. You’re still my brother, my family, my heart.
I will always love you, Carlos. Always. That love hasn’t faded—it’s only grown stronger with time. I keep you close in everything I do, and I promise you will never be forgotten.
You’re still here, just in a different way. And until we meet again, I’ll keep talking to you, loving you, and holding your memory close.
With all my heart,
Rick Guzman

Well Carlos , I bet you thought I forgot about you this month , huh ? Lol . Well no chance of that happening , I figured it was your birthday month so I tried to be efficient , no telling when this thing will run out of space for me to write to you.  

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Carlos
July 23, 1966 – Forever in My Heart

Today would have been your 59th birthday, Carlos. I can’t help but think of how we’d be celebrating—your laugh, your stories, maybe a slice of cake or two. Instead, I’m left with memories that I hold so close, and a heart that misses you more than words can say.

You left us on September 10, 2024, and not a day has gone by without thinking of you. Your kindness, your strength, your sense of humor—everything about you made the world a better place. And it’s quieter now without you.

I just want you to know how much I love you and how deeply I miss you. I know , up in heaven , you're at peace and surrounded by light and living  out eternity better than those of us down here can ever even fathom .I will continue  to honor you down here until the day comes when we are together again. Until then ,I will carry you with me always, in every thought and every quiet moment.

Happy Birthday, Carlos. I’ll love you forever. 
Your little brother 
Rick

Happy birthday Dada

I didn’t think time would fly so fast without you. I didn’t want to spend a single day in a world that you weren’t in, but now it even hurts to say that I’ve been without you for ten months. It hurts to know it’ll be a year without you soon. You would’ve been 59 today. I miss you. We all would’ve gone out to eat for you. Tita would’ve thrown a party and invited all your friends and family. You were too young to go. I still need you. It’s not fair. You were my dad more than a grandpa. You raised me to be who I am. I wish I could still hear your laughter, your singing, your dumb jokes. I miss hearing the nicknames you had for me. I wish you could still hug me. I wish we could still watch movies in the living room together as we sat on the couch. I miss your teasing. I miss you being the solid rock I could always lean on. You never once got mad at me. You never yelled at me. You showed me what family was supposed to be. I feel lost without you. It’s hard living without you. I’m sorry I wasn’t around much for the end. I tried my best to not see you in that state. I didn’t want to hold many memories of you in pain. The happiest memories hurt much worse though. I don’t want to remember you being in fear of your last days. I just want to remember us. All of our time together. I always thought you’d be around forever honestly. Tita and my dad are different without you around. I’ve changed too. We all miss you. We all love you. 

Your “Princess”,
Angelina (Angie) Guzman

Dear Carlos,

Happy Heavenly Father’s Day, bro.

It still doesn’t feel real sometimes. I catch myself thinking about texting you or waiting on one of your random jokes or check-ins. But then I remember—you’re not here the way you used to be. Still, in so many ways, you haven’t gone anywhere. You're with me every day.

I miss you so much, Carlos. There’s not a day that passes where I don’t think about you. Whether it’s hearing your laugh in my head, remembering something you used to say, or just wishing I could talk to you again… you’re always there, just beneath the surface.

I hope you’re feeling the love today, wherever you are. I hope you know how much I love you and how deeply your presence is still felt. You were a good man, a better  brother, and someone I was always proud to stand beside.

Happy Father’s Day up there. I hope you’re smiling, surrounded by peace, and watching over all of us like I know you are.

I love you, bro. Always will.

Rick Guzman

8 months.

It’s been 8 months since you left, Carlos. I’ve written something every month since you passed—except April. I tried to keep my mind busy, hoping that maybe if I stayed distracted, I wouldn’t feel the weight of you not being here. But here I am again, writing another message… and somehow still hoping you see it.

People say it gets easier as time goes on, but I don’t think that’s true. I think life just keeps happening, piling new things on top of the grief. The pain never really leaves—it just gets buried under the noise of everyday life. But it's still there.

I miss you, my brother. I look at pictures of us as kids and remember those days like they were just yesterday. Your voice still lives in the voicemails you sent me, and I listen to them just to feel close to you again.

I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. You are deeply missed, always remembered, and forever loved. Until we meet again, I’ll carry you with me, close to my heart—where you’ll never be forgotten.

Love you always, big brother.
Rick

Dear Carlos,

It’s hard to believe that it’s been six months since you left us. Time keeps moving, but not a day goes by without thinking of you. I want you to know that everyone is doing well and staying healthy, though we all miss you more than words can express. 

You’re always in my heart, and I love you forever. Even though life goes on, you’ll never be forgotten. You are in my thoughts every day, and your memory will stay with me for as long as I live. 

I hope you’re at peace, and know that I carry you with me always.

With all my love,  
Rick Guzman

I know today marks five months since you left, Carlos, but it still doesn’t feel real. Every day, I catch myself wanting to call you. The world keeps moving, but there’s a part of me that’s stuck on September 10, 2024—the day everything changed.  

I hope you’re doing good up there. I wonder if you’ve found the best fishing spot in heaven or if you’re tracking the biggest buck. I bet you are. I just wish we had more time to do those things together down here.  

No matter how many days, months, or years pass, you’ll always be my big brother. You’ll always be in my heart. I miss you every single day, and I always will.  

Until we meet again, Carlos. I love you.
Rick Guzman

Dear Carlos,  

It’s been four months since you left us, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. The pain of losing you still feels as fresh as it did that day, but so does the love and pride I have for you. You weren’t just my brother—you were a part of me.  

I miss your laugh, your advice, and your ability to make everything better just by being yourself. You had a way of bringing light into any room you walked into, and life feels dimmer without you here. There are so many things I wish I could share with you, so many moments I wish you were still a part of.  

Carlos, I want you to know how much you meant to me. You were strong, kind, and full of life. I carry you with me in everything I do, and I try to honor your memory by living in a way that would make you proud.  

I know you’re watching over us now, and I hope you feel the love that surrounds you, even from here. Until the day we meet again, you will always be in my heart, guiding me, reminding me of the bond we share.  

I love you, Carlos, more than words can ever say.  

Your brother,  
Rick

Carlos 

I miss you so much, brother. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you, talk to you, or feel the weight of your absence. Yesterday, Christmas Day, was especially hard. It was my first Christmas without you, and it just didn’t feel the same. Something was missing—*you* were missing.  

I missed your text wishing me a happy birthday. You never forgot, and it always meant the world to me. Yesterday, I caught myself checking my phone, half-expecting to see your message pop up. It didn’t, of course, and the reality of you being gone hit me all over again.  

Carlos, you’re not forgotten—*you’ll never be forgotten.* You’re still such a big part of my life, and I carry you with me every single day. I talk to you in my thoughts, in my prayers, in the quiet moments when I feel the loss of you the most.  

I want you to know how much I love you and how much you meant to me. The holidays will never be the same without you, but I’ll keep your memory alive in everything I do. Thank you for being the brother you were—loving, funny, supportive, and always there when I needed you.  

I’ll keep talking to you, Carlos. I’ll keep remembering, laughing, and honoring you in every way I can. You may be gone from this world, but you’ll never be gone from my heart.  

Until we meet again,  
Your brother,  
Rick Guzman

2 of 2 

my life better. I love you, and I always will.  

Your little brother 
Rick Guzman

1 of 1 
Dear Carlos,

It’s hard to believe it’s already been three months since you left us. They say time heals all wounds, but for me, time feels like it’s stood still. The pain of losing you is still so fresh, and my heart feels as broken now as it did that day. Life just isn’t the same without you here.  

I miss you so much, Carlos. Every day feels like there’s a piece missing—something that only you could fill. The way you laughed, the way you always had something wise or funny to say, the love and warmth you brought to everyone around you—it’s all left such a void.  

I wanted to thank you for visiting me in my dream on Friday night. It meant so much to see you again, even if just for a little while. Sharing that dinner with you, hearing you tell me you’re okay, and feeling your hug before I woke up—it was exactly what my heart needed. It was like you were reminding me that you’re still with me, in your own way, and that you’re at peace.  

Oh, and don’t worry—I’ve still been working your shifts at the extra job. I know how you were about that. If I didn’t keep it going, I can just imagine you giving me *that* look and saying, “Come on, bro, you’ve gotta handle it!” So, I’ve got it covered—for you. Just don’t expect me to enjoy it as much as you did!  

And if people knew that I still have our talks every day, they’d probably think I’m halfway crazy. But you know what? I don’t care. Those talks are what keep me going. I’ll keep telling you about my day, asking you for advice, and just talking to you like we always did. It’s my way of keeping you close.  

Even though I know you’re okay, it’s hard to accept that you’re not here. I still feel the weight of losing you every day. But I want you to know that I’ll carry your memory with me forever. I’ll try to honor you in how I live my life, in the love I give to others, and in the strength I find to keep going.  

Thank you for everything, Carlos—for your love, your friendship, and the countless ways you’ve made

2 of 2. It feels surreal, and I wish more than anything that I didn’t have to write these words. I wish you were still here with me, with all of us.
I’ll miss our lunch dates with Joe, too. The three of us together, laughing, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company—it’s hard to imagine we won’t have that again. Those moments will always be special to me, and the bond we shared as brothers can never be replaced.
Losing you feels like I’ve lost a part of myself. My heart feels shattered in a way I never imagined it could be. You’ve always been more than just my brother – you were my guide, my protector, my friend. And now, even though you’re not here with me physically, I know I’ll carry you in my heart forever.
Though we won’t see each other here on earth anymore, I have faith that we will see each other again when Jesus calls me home. When that day comes, I know we’ll be in each other’s company once again, just like old times, with nothing to keep us apart.
I want you to know that I’ll keep walking the path you helped me start. I’ll keep making you proud, just like I always tried to when we were kids. The world feels a little emptier without you, but the love and lessons you left behind will never fade.
Rest in Peace, Carlos. I’ll miss you more than words can say, but I know you’ll always be with me.
Love,
Your little brother
Rick

Dear Carlos,
As I sit here trying to find the right words, I can’t help but think back to when we were kids, me always running after you, trying to be just like you. You were my hero, the big brother I looked up to in every way. You set the standard for what it meant to be strong, confident, and full of life, and I wanted nothing more than to follow in your footsteps.
I remember how you'd always make time for me, even when you probably wanted space. You never pushed me away, never told me to stop tagging along, even though I know I could be a little shadow at times. You taught me so much just by being yourself, Carlos. Watching you navigate life with courage and determination, whether it was in sports when we were growing up, with friends, or just around the house, made me believe that if I followed close enough, I could be just like you.
As officers, we had the privilege of working an extra job together, and I always made it a point to get there early—just to have our brotherly talks. Those moments meant everything to me. We could catch up, laugh, and talk about life, like we always did. I still get to the extra job early, but now those talks feel different. I still talk to you, brother, but you're not physically there. My heart breaks every time, knowing I won’t see your smile or hear your voice again in this life.
You fought cancer for years, Carlos, and you never gave up. You faced that battle with the same strength and determination that you carried throughout your life. I would tell you that one of the hardest things we can do is to "walk by faith and not by sight," and you lived those words every single day. You trusted in the journey, even when it was uncertain, and you showed all of us what true faith looks like. I’m so proud of you for the fight you fought and for the example you set, even when things were toughest.
I never imagined I’d be writing you a letter like this, one meant for your obituary. It’s something I wasn’t prepared for—none of us were.1of2

Mi nino fue alguien cuya presencia llenó días de amor, alegría y enseñanzas. Aunque su partida deja un vacío, su legado y los momentos compartidos permanecerán siempre en nuestros corazones. Recordemos su bondad, su risa, la manera en que tocó nuestras vidas y en cada gesto de amabilidad, encontraremos su huella. Aunque ya no esté físicamente entre nosotros, su espíritu seguirá viviendo en las memorias que atesoramos. Que su descanso sea eterno, y que nosotros podamos encontrar paz en los recuerdos que nos dejó.

OBITUARY

Carlos "Dada" Guzman Jr.

July 23, 1966 – September 10, 2024

González Funeral Home and Crematory

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