Daddy, it's your Birthday in heaven today. I know you and Mom are together are watching proudly our family accomplishments here. Please know that you are both thought of with love and will always be missed.... Your loving daughter, Vickie.
Whenever something needed fixing, Dad was the one I would call for advise. He was the one who would drop everything and come to see what he could do to help. Whenever I had a project that I wanted to build, he would be there by my side to lend his knowledge and strength until it was complete. He taught me so much and stood by me, teaching me to be confident and secure enough in my abilities to accomplish so much. Thank you Dad! I will love you forever.....
My name is Petra. I work with Vickie. I see her almost every single day and of course talk with her every single day. We share our good family memories and thoughts throughout our hectic days at work. In conversation one day, I mentioned to her that I like to play keno. She told me that her dad liked to play too. I was SO excited when she told me that! I like to occasionally go to Golden Acorn early (5:00 a.m.) and see the sunrise as I drive East in San Diego. I asked Vickie if it would be ok if I picked Tony up and take him. She organized our mini road trip. I was surprised he was ready so early! When I got to his house (still dark out), the first thing he did was show me pictures of his family. He was just glowing in pride! He showed me a picture of his beloved wife. I must say, just the way he directed me to the mantle where the picture of Mrs. Soares was on, compared to a special road trip to an amazing place. Then off we went on our Saturday morning adventure. As we drove, Tony spoke about the history of San Diego. He remembered areas (Bonita/Spring Valley) that were almost bare if not bare. He spoke politics, and was just so knowledgeable about a lot of things!
We saw the sunrise as we drove East. It was such a pleasant drive. When we arrived, we found chairs/games to play. I sat next to him and played Keno the whole time we were there. I happened to win a jackpot of $1,400.00! Since we had left SO early in the morning, I asked Tony if he wanted to go eat at the restaurant in GA so we walked over to the restaurant. At one moment in our cheerful and happy talk, he started talking about his wife. His eyes lit up in love in our conversation about her! As he was finishing his gracious words, his words shook up a little and he teared up a bit. I knew that very moment just how special and how much she meant to him.
Vickie, Jim, Tony and I ended up taking a road trip to Laughlin. Wonderful memories. I also remember when Tony would call the office to talk to Vickie. Always in such a cheerful manner. My memories of Mr. Soares.
I remember when I was a little girl, grandpa teaching me to pitch a softball. He would come over every day and catch for me. I guess I was a little wild when I first learned to pitch and I hurt his big toe.
For the past couple of years I have been taking him to get a mani/pedi and every single time he would tell the women who gave him his pedicure the story about how I ruined his toe. He was very proud of his permanently injured toe the same way that he was always proud of me:)
I was blessed to have had Uncle Tony and Aunt Bev in my life. I saw them often in my younger years when we visited them and 'Mamu', my Grandmother. I have many fond memories of them, and playing with my cousins Michael and Vickie Sue. They were particularly there for me during that difficult part of my life when I was about 12. I miss them both very much.
