It’s been three years
Since we heard the news
and my life was forever
changed

Trips across country
Masking up on the plane
just before the world went
Upside-down

But worse than that
way worse than that
was the loss of
him

He was sick for months
Not ready to let us go
Longing for us to be
Together

Bed-ridden and prideful
A class act until the end
Reunited with my mother I
Believe

Fatherless
officially orphaned
Feeling completely out of control
Grief-stricken

Forced to close our business
Struggling to stay on our feet
My life-line gone
Vulnerable

Socially distanced
Not knowing what was next
A dark time darker
Uncertainty

His legacy saw us through it
Weathering this once-in-100-year storm
What would Joe do?
Persevere

We pivoted
Doubled-down
We fought for it
Thrived

The pandemic
The loss of my father
Taught us a lesson worth learning
Grit

Stronger because of it
On the other side
The clock does heal
Peace

It’s been three years
Since we heard the news
And my life has forever
changed