In this life, he was my father. Today, I think of him as my guardian angel.

I believe those we love do not simply disappear when they leave this mortal life. Their influence remains with us. Their love continues to shape us. As the familiar poem says, “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.” That expresses something I have come to believe through my own experiences.

My earthly father is now my celestial brother—a fellow child of our Eternal Father. Though our relationship has changed beyond mortality, I believe our family bond has not ended. I believe his spirit continues to bless my life, not by taking away my agency, but through the love, faith, and example he left behind.

One of the greatest gifts he ever gave me was baptizing me. When I entered the waters of baptism, it was my father who held the priesthood authority to perform that sacred ordinance. That moment has become even more meaningful with time. It reminds me that the covenants we make with God are stronger than death and that families can remain connected through Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for my father. I am grateful for his testimony, his service, and his love. I carry pieces of him with me every day—not only in my memories, but in the values he taught me, the faith he shared with me, and the life he encouraged me to live.

I believe that our spirits remain connected through God’s eternal plan. We are more than bodies. We are sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents, journeying through mortality together. For that reason, I do not see death as the end of a relationship. I see it as a chapter that has turned while the story continues.

I look forward to the day when families are reunited in God’s presence. Until then, I strive to live in a way that honors both my earthly father and my Eternal Father. Their love continues to guide me, and for that I will always be grateful.