5 years

Amazing that he's already been gone 5 years. 

 He always told his kids how great and smart we were- that we could achieve anything. Now, I wish he could be here with me as I graduate so he could see where his confidence and encouragement has led me.

 He showed us that we can do hard things. He outlived a "terminal" brain tumor for 25 years and always had an amazing happy attitude. He went from being a high school dropout to getting his GRE and eventually his B.S. in engineering when he was 40.