(June 13, 2016).
On Thursday (May 19th), we celebrated my dad’s 51st birthday. He passed away almost ten years ago, but I still make it a point to buy him cake so I can sing him ‘happy birthday’ and blow out his candles. This year was no different.
I do not have many pictures of my dad and I, but when I was going through the little amount we had together, I stumbled upon my baptism photos. On the back it said May 19th 1990, dad’s birthday.
Looking back on my dad’s life, he was very generous with his time and gave to others everything he had. He was very loud and wasn’t afraid to let other people know how he felt. I thought he was also very strict but I guess that’s how he showed me his love. I remember one day, he told me to stay in my room and I couldn’t get out until I learned the Apostle’s Creed and the Our Father. I think I was 9 or 10 at the time and I totally thought he was being too hard. Later on I learned to appreciate those things.
As I reflect on my life right now, I am truly grateful for my parents. They both made the decision to baptize me in the Catholic Church. At 5 months old, I obviously couldn’t make that decision on my own and my parents wanted that for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that very important decision, made 26 years ago. Although I didn’t really grow up with my dad, I know that he passed down his faith to me and I’m sure he is looking down on me from Heaven and interceding for me. It makes it a little more special that it was done on his birthday because I think that we both celebrated a birthday that day.
Happy birthday, to us!
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
In Loving Memory of Robert S. Ramos (1965-2006)
