On the one year anniversary of my dad passing away...I thought I would share something very personal, the Eulogy I wrote for him, and gave in front of my closest family and friends that somber day March 6th 2012.


Dear Dad,
I wanted to tell you all the things I should have said...all the things I wanted to say, all the things that are stored up in my heart...so I think I will. I'll try to honor you as best I can, and I'll try to tell you just how special you are and always will be to me.
For much of my life you were far away, and I thought...what if I can't remember anything good from my childhood...but as I searched, the memories started flooding back...
I remember the night you were playing 2 chess games at once...one against Keith, one against Imrich, and a game of checkers with me. I vividly remember not even knowing exactly what checkers were...but thinking that if they were able to "jump" then I was in! I watched you as you took a handicap to each of the boys...a bishop to one, and a castle to the other...then the games were on and they were furious. You would watch their turns...critique them, then take your own. You licked us all, that's when I began to realize you were a genius.
I remember going swimming in the Kankakee. It was totally dangerous and unbelievably fun...just like you. Getting there with Sirius the dog by your side in that beast of a red van...those are memories that are etched into my head.
Or what about when you would come for a visit and Imrich and I got to sneak into the living room where you were sleeping? You would sit up with us for hours...telling us all the Slovak Fairytales that you could remember....The "Strong Men" Lomedrevel, Vallebook, and Mesejelezzo...and that little thief Lochtebrada! The tales of these strong men storming their castles for bronze, silver, and gold...I will always remember. Or the dog named Bodrick who defended his sheep...almost to his own death. Your storytelling was legendary.
I could go on and on.
It wasn't perfect....I don't think any parents are, but the more I thought about it....the more I saw...you were there in your own way...making an impact on who I was, and who I would become. I wanted to say thank you.
Fast forward to being a young adult into the teen years. You inspired dedication and excellence. You expected the best out of me, and for that you have taught me strong determination and drive...I wanted to say thank you. 
Onto now...the best years of our relationship by far. Your words towards me were always kind. You loved my house, my job, my husband...and you adored my babies. You were always quick to tell me I needed more...even after 5.
I remember you coming to visit Tom and I...we took you down to the Lake, just to see it...and before I could say...."wait dad, this isn't our land, let's head back up to the house"...your shoes were off, socks stripped, and you were wading on in, pants rolled to the knees. My kids looked on in awe and giggled..is that okay? they asked....and can we go too? You're the whole reason I forged a relationship with the wonderful neighbor we have by the Lake. She now loves to have my kids come down to swim...and they splash and play...just like you did that day.
I remember you coming to the girls gymnastics meets and giving them so many compliments they were beaming! Going to Burger King for a meal after the meet..Tom took Zaiah to the potty and came back to ask...where is Grandpa? Eva said...Oh, he's up in the playplace climbling around. That was at 89 years old for you. Priceless.
Each of my children, and each of your grandchildren were a treasure to you. A jewel in the crown of your life. Thank you for that.
There are so many wonderful things I could say about you. Your escape from the prisoner of war camp, your traveling the world, your wise choice of mom as your wife...so many things to touch upon....but you know what I started to realize was your greatest asset? Your confidence. You KNEW who you were. You LIKED who you were. You wanted to get better, and worked towards that...but there was a settled peace to you as you were happy with your life. Did you have regrets? I'm sure you did...as we all do. But you were determined to move forward....to run the race of your life the best way you could. You were confident in who God made you to be. Thank you for that.
Memories are great, and accolades are good to give, but what do I really want to say to you? What is my heart crying out to express? I miss you already...does that make sense? I miss your hugs where you would squeeze me and beat my back...I miss your accent, and the way you said my name...Vinchka....I miss saying Dobra Notts a Peknisknee to each other as we would go to bed...I miss your singing and your bravado when you met new people...I miss you. I miss your twinkling ice blue eyes...and the way they had mischief written all over them...I miss the way you precariously held my babies...the way you snuck them candy...the way you got excited about EACH of their futures...no matter where they were going....I miss you....but somewhere as I ache...and I let go...I realize the gift that you have left.
Somehow the memories ARE great...and the accolades ARE good to give. You left a heritage to us. A trove of inspiration, a collage of confidence, a bounty of beauty. You lived simply, humbly, and nobly. You loved life...and lived it to the fullest that you possibly could. You overcame obstacles, delivered dedication, and conquered challenges. You were imperfect, but perfectly loved.
I do miss you, I will always miss you...but I will hang onto who you were, and the wealth of memories you left behind. Out of it all...I wanted to say...thank you dad. Thank you for being my dad...thank you for loving me...thank you.

I will forever remember you, in loving memory...

Imrich Henry Kuric June 20th, 1921 to March 6th, 2012