15 Years

I received a text from my eldest sister. It read like this:

"In commemoration of his life, let us remember Wilfredo (my father) who was killed in the line of duty. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die so that justice might live and grow and increase its blessing. He lives in a way that humbles the undertaking of most men."

This text jolted me. This is what is written on my father's epitaph. My memories flashed back fifteen years ago. My father was shot and killed while on duty in the Police Force. He left behind 8 children and my mom.

I was 19 then and barely out of college when he died. We were devastated. But we managed to move on.