My life with Dulce has been a fairy tale. There is no other way to describe it, except to say that I have lived a great love.
Dulce has been a great friend; my best friend. She was also a fantastic lover. And Dulce has been a wonderful mother. And daughter. And sister. And Dulce has given me two beautiful children. In all, Dulce has been an amazing wife, and a great partner, and I am so proud to be her husband.
Before we were married, my Father told me that no matter where I got to in life, Dulce would always be an asset, never holding me back, but always pulling me forward. And he was right.
When I think of the characteristics that made Dulce special, there are so many that come to mind. Perhaps first was her energy and enthusiasm. Whenever Dulce did something she always gave it 110%. And she would always finish what she started, be it the dishes or lobbying for a new school. The best part was that this energy and enthusiasm was contagious.
Another characteristic was Dulce's confidence and self-respect. She was always poised and dignified in any situation. And Dulce always knew that her opinion had value and she would stand up to anyone to make it be heard. This strength comes from deep within and it makes me so happy when I see it in our children.
And also there was Dulce's playfulness and charm. She loved to tease people and get them going, including me. And Dulce's smile would light up any room. She was great at meeting new people and always the perfect host. I loved to have parties at home just because of Dulce.
Dulce was also very kind and generous. She would give freely of her time and possessions, and prodded others to do the same. I will admit that many of the things that I have done have been done at Dulce's behest. Yes Mom, it was often Dulce that told me to call.
Family was always very important to Dulce. She set an example for both my family and hers. Many of the vacations that we took were just to be with the family. That is why we drove a Chevette for 13 years. In the choice between a new car and seeing the family in Brazil, the family always won. And Dulce felt that kindness and generosity started with the family. The family always came first.
Beneath this soft exterior, however, was a core as solid as rock. Dulce had so much discipline and self-control. She was never into frivolous things, and never spent much money on herself. I never saw Dulce drunk in my life, nor did she smoke or anything worse, ever. Self-control was only a problem around chocolate or when buying Christmas decorations.
Dulce also had a very rigid and true moral compass. She was always very concerned about right and wrong, and expected a very high standard of all. Most of her frustration in life came from the fact that much of the world does not live by her standards. But I always knew that I could trust Dulce in every way without a second thought. It made for a great marriage.
And finally I think of Dulce's courage and faith. Certainly it took courage and faith to marry me and leave her country. But it truly came to the fore when Dulce battled her cancer. Whenever faced with treatment options, Dulce would go for the strongest, no matter what the side effects. I know that she would have undergone anything, no matter how painful, in order to be here today with Alicia and Richard. And throughout it all, she had such faith that everything would be all right in the end. Because of this faith, it will be. Dulce's courage continues to amaze me. She almost never cried, and she certainly never admitted openly that she would die. Dulce was always positive. And she remained concerned for others until the end. Dulce's will alone seemed to maintain her through the final weeks, for she had been changed and strengthened by the ordeal.
When Dulce underwent brain surgery, I think we both thought that she might not make it, and she almost didn't. Dulce then felt that she had been given a second chance. From that moment forward there was never an angry word to anyone. And Dulce insisted that she wanted to become a missionary. In this, too, she succeeded. Because of Dulce's cancer, so many people have come forward to help and have done wonderful things. I have to believe that many have been brought closer to God and that many will be rewarded for what they have done.
But enough of cancer when there are so many good times to remember. Like our first kiss. Or the birth of each of our children. Or the many holidays in Creston, or Whistler, or Hawaii, or Brazil. Or just lying in bed and talking to each other until dawn.
If only there could be more of those times that you loved, such as fishing, or racing ski-doos, or putting up Christmas decorations, or taking care of all of those daycare kids. But now there can only be memories.
Dulce Estrella, your very name means "sweet star". And that is what you have been, enriching and illuminating our lives.
Dulce, I loved you from the first kiss. And I love you still. And this love has grown into a profound respect for who and what you are. I still cannot believe my good fortune. It has been a privilege to be your husband. May the Lord guide me, and guide us all, so that we can be together again. I love you. We love you. Adeus, meu amor.
Kevin...