Today’s mass was dedicated to our diversity. The entire mass was celebrated in several different languages with cultural dance performances at different intervals. It was a beautiful service.

At one point, a Filipino dance troop approached the front to perform. When the traditional Filipino folk song began to play, it immediately incited tears to stream down my face. It was an unexpected trigger of memories of Daddy. The music and the dancing made me miss him terribly. I watched countless traditional Filipino folk dance performances with Daddy while growing up. Today’s performance made me feel proud of my heritage and also made me feel connected to Daddy, as if he were there watching and enjoying it with me. Oh how I miss my Daddy, but I’m very thankful for my heritage and how it makes me feel so connected to him.