Ibañez

It's been years since I'd seen that smile.  In all honesty, I had no reason to believe I'd ever see it again.  I don't have to think too hard to picture it...  That handsome grin paired with a set of wide and glossy inviting eyes.  Followed by a laugh that revealed an entire set of nearly perfectly straight teeth.  It was an indication of his silly sense of humor, because that incomparable toothy smile was usually the result of telling one of his own corny jokes.

That smile belonged to my father.

It's been about 6 years since he passed.  So you can imagine my surprise when I saw that smile again.  I found it in his siblings, in every single one (of those that I've met).

About a million emotions ran through me when I discovered it.  It warmed my heart and shattered it at the same time.  I could almost hear my dad laughing with his siblings, telling silly jokes, and revealing that same grin that he shared with them.

I don't think I've missed him as much as I did in that moment.  And though it broke my heart to know that he couldn't be there laughing with us, it was the best Christmas present I've ever received.