Even though things were tough at times growing up, the harder daily life got, the more my dad did his best to provide. I learned from him that you don't need an expensive piece of paper to tell you that you have skills, talents, and intelligence. However, he did ensure that his 3 boys had the support necessary to succeed if college was the direction they chose. The strict upbringing showed me what a father really does when he loves his children. I learned valuable lessons that no one except a REAL father could teach.

My grandfathers and two uncles reinforced the positive behavior and overall outlook. You would never know by talking to them that they had seen some of the most horrible atrocities known to man, during wars fought on a world stage, and in a small country in Southeast Asia. All four of the extended father figures in my life, who taught me everything from Duck Hunt on the Nintendo to how to find a morel mushroom in a dense wooded undergrowth, will have my love to my dying day. As I'm sure I had theirs until their deaths. I have one remaining grandpa, and at 90 he's in no hurry to quit yet.

I learned to be a respectful man, but also to be protective of the ones I most loved. I owe everything I am as a dad to these 5 men. Every one, not just my dad, had a hand in shaping and molding me into who I am now. I do and always will love them for everything.

I just wish that my ex-wife would stop the unending vendetta to keep my son from me. She knows it would be tough for me to afford a lawyer to take her back to court. At this very moment, anyway. One day, she will get a very unpleasant surprise. I will not call DCFS because of her agreement violations, because I'm not trying to remove my son from her life. Every Father's Day (and then some), I send her a text or try to call to no avail. Two years is enough. My son is loved. More than anything I've ever known in life. I miss him every day. That's all that matters. Yes, we got divorced. We got JOINT CUSTODY and I have rights. I've never missed a support payment and never will. You have no right to keep him from his father just because you got remarried. One day you will fully understand. I cannot wait for that day.

Until that day comes, I will love you FOREVER Matthew the Second.

I love you too Dad and Grandpa.

To my uncles and grandpa in Valhalla, I'll see you again when I'm done here, and I love you and miss you all.