Donald Poore

Dear Dad, Fifteen years. It feels like both a lifetime and a moment since you’ve been gone. There’s so much I want to tell you, so much I wish I could share. Life has changed in incredible ways. I’m a mother now, with four amazing kids—ages 9, 7, 5, and 3. I think about you often as I raise them, wondering what advice you would give or what stories you’d share with them. They would love you so much, Dad, and I know you’d be absolutely smitten with them. There are days when I find myself repeating things you used to say, lessons you taught me without even realizing it. Your wisdom and kindness are still guiding me, even though you’re not here. I see parts of you in my children—in their determination, their humor, and the way they approach the world with wonder. It’s a bittersweet feeling to know that they’ll never get to meet you in person, but I promise to keep your spirit alive through stories and memories. I think about what you’d say about my life now, and I hope you’d be proud. Parenting is hard, and there are moments when I feel like I’m figuring it out by trial and error. But I try to draw strength from the way you raised me—with love, patience, and a steady hand. I miss you more than words can say. There’s an ache that never quite goes away, but I also feel a quiet joy when I think of all the ways you shaped my life. Thank you for the foundation you gave me—it’s what helps me be the parent I strive to be. I wish you could be here to see the chaos, the love, and the laughter that fills my home. You’d love them, Dad. And they’d love you right back. Until we meet again, Nicki

I have so many memories of Dad.  Over time, my memories have turned from details about events to feelings about events, and even though the details are fuzzy and maybe even wrong at this point, I know the feelings are not. Dad was fun and silly and young at heart.  He wanted to be with me and us as kids.  I remember skiing on New Year's Day with Dad.  When I logically think about this, it only happened a few times, but it seems like a time-honored tradition.  He would always fill up at the Springville gas station with Gandolfo's to get the BOGO tickets to Snowbird and take me and my friends there on New Year's Day.  I loved skiing with Dad and showing him my new skills as I practiced tricks.  As I get older, I am amazed at how well he kept up with us.  I struggle to ski a whole day now and was not as old as he was then.  I remember ice skating on Christmas Eve with Dad and how we were even on the news a few times.  Dad made Christmas time fun and made it feel special.  He would drive us around to see lights in Kentucky, and we would sign Christmas songs.  One of his favorite songs was Grandma got run over by a reindeer.  I remember having cousins over in Mapleton and how Dad was obsessed with the early 2000s email chains that everyone would pass around.  I remember one that he printed off all about potty humor.  He was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes and couldn't even breathe. Dad loved the outdoors and the cabin.  I think that was his favorite place on earth, and in all the places I have lived and traveled, it, too, is one of my favorite places.  Dad was sensitive.  I remember that he cried even more than me when I was first diagnosed with diabetes and how he asked the doctor if our new environment (we just moved to Utah) had anything to do with me getting it.  I was so thankful that the doctor said no.  It would have been so hard on Dad if he felt he was somehow at fault for my diabetes.  I remember driving to Evansville Stake Center for my Aaronic priesthood orientation meeting.  Dad and Mom worked on a letter to me that talked about who I was to them and how much they loved me.  I remember part of the letter was about how I voluntarily sat out in an important game so someone else could play and how proud Mom and Dad were of me.   I miss Dad but am thankful for his impact on my 24 years with him.  Love- Jeremy

Hey Dad, I can get by the days but never a week goes by without thinking about you. I wish you were here. There have been many days that I have gotten frustrated. Being the first child in our family to have kids without a father was difficult. There were times when I needed your advice. I wanted to ask your opinion from a father’s perspective, but you weren’t there. I have had so many moments when my kids would do something amazing and I wish you could see it. I have also come to a realization that you are just as upset for missing these things. You were a great father. I find myself at times checking myself to see if I’m doing as good of a job as you did with me. You were my best friend and truly someone I could look up to in every way. You wore many hats, yet somehow you always found time for your family, your neighbors, your sprinklers, and most of all your wife. After seeing many broken homes in my life I am very grateful to see how much you and Mom loved each other. I find myself trying to recreate my own childhood for my children because it was so amazing. When I find myself stepping into your shoes in situations and find myself repeating your words, I always laugh. These little moments are when I can still hear you. Your circle was small and I’m glad I was in it. You taught me to love hard. I miss you greatly, and don’t forget you are still my hero. Love- Ryan

Dear dad,

I've grown up in a lot of ways, and in some ways, not at all. Haha. You taught me so many skills. I'm wrenching on cars now. Who would've thought? It's tough but it's rewarding and I'm proud of what I do for a living. I miss you every day. Remember when you took us to the Olympics? Thats one of my favorite memories. You really were the best dad. There's so much you have missed. I wish I could tell you. I love you dad. You'll always be in my heart. -Travis