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 For Dad

A finer man I have not met

And lessons taught I won't forget.

His love of family in joy and pain,

His strength of spirit, and what was to gain,

By being fair, respecting all,

Without blame or pity when bad times called.

To Laugh and joke, to embrace each day,

As precious and dear, that was his way.

Though proud, pride never held him back,

And courage not ever did he lack.

Forever thankful for what he had,

No finer man than trhis, my dad.

Take flight this final message please,

On angels winds please send,

Thanks Daddy for making me your daughter

And for being my best friend.

Denise Saint Hilaire Ellis

January 24, 2000

I wrote this for my dather's services when he passed away.....He had 3 strokes in the course of 7 years. the first not so debilitating, the second years later affected his entire right side and he lost the ability to talk....Amazingly enough he still did not give up......practiced first writing his name with his left hand and gradually, after much practice made his bed, prepared his lunch, did his laundry, did his own banking with the help of someone (me), took speech clasess and when his insurance canceled his speech lessons he continued on with his own money...He never got better after a point (his asphasa) but would not listen to anyone saying this is about as good as it gets.  I was his live in care giver but could still work and was home every night for 7 years to prepare his dinner, check his blood, and make sure his meds were tasken.  Seven years of living with my father taught me so much...his dignity even though he was incapitated, his integrity, doing the very bestg he could. He passed away after his 3rd stroke after 2 weeks in a skilled nursing facility.  I am proud that he lived most of his life at home except for the last 2 weeks of his life.

He taught me a person dies as he lives...with his 5 children at his bedside to say goodby.  He would not leave us until he knew we would be ok.  He received more than many letters from army buddies that when I read them today after 14 years still make me cry.....He received the bronze star for actions taken during the war and received a hero's goodbye at his service.  Honor guard, 3 gun salute and taps played while the honor guard folded his flad and presented it to me, his oldest daughter.  I miss my dad tremendously and think of him every day.