Dear Daniel,

 

Happy Birthday.  If you were alive today, you would be twenty-two.  I can still remember your birth, as well as a lot of the things you did in your life.  I remember you trying to get into the government-sponsored education / job placement program.  I can’t remember the name of it, but I remember you were very excited about.  I imagine if you were still alive, you would have finished it by now or be very close.  You might even have gotten a job, maybe even started what would be your career.  Whatever you would be doing, I know you would be doing your best and making everyone around you very proud.

 

That’s one of the things I loved about you.  You always tried hard.  You didn’t walk from place to place, you ran.  You always wanted to be ahead of everyone else, and you often succeeded.  The last thing I said at your funeral was you always kept going, nothing could stop you.

 

I miss you, Daniel.  I wish I had one more minute with you, just to hug you.  I wish I had a lifetime with you, but I would settle for a minute.  I wouldn’t need to speak, just to hold you.  I love you, Daniel.  Keep running, wherever you are.

 

Love, Dad