Jamie Vergara

To my dear Father Alex, the one who is a father figure to many, a cool uncle to me, a close friend, a pilot in the air and a pilot leading others closer to God, the kindest man to walk on Earth, happy happy Birthday to you.

In 2017, my freshman year of college, I was introduced to greatness aka the priest Father Alex. He is one of two Filipino priests permanently assigned in Jacksonville. Father Alex resided in Palm Coast for a year, so I did not see him as often. However, the man was fortunately reassigned to the West Side of Jacksonville, and although that wasn’t beaches, it was a lot closer. I was able to attend some of his Masses, see him for confession, and would get to pass by him more frequently than previously.

If you asked me 10 years ago where I thought my life would be today, I would have never known or believed the things I’ve done, the places I’ve visited, and the people I’ve met. I would have never known, Father Alex and Father Rafael would become a prominent part in my life. If anything, I thought they were both individuals I would only know through social media or by mutual friends in the community. But God has everything perfectly mapped out, and I am incredibly thankful for the outcome of my life today.

When I mentioned that Father Alex is a prominent person in my life, he is family I have in Jacksonville that isn’t my siblings or my parents and consistently looks after me. We sing a couple songs here and there, visit the Filipino community in Gainesville every other month, eat meals together, laugh and cry, it’s always a good time. While there is so much joy and happiness that surrounds our rapport, we have both experienced sadness and pain in different areas of our lives, and despite this suffering — have pushed one another to get back up and try to conquer the day. Him better than I, I am stubborn. But one of the biggest parts I hold dear to me, is whenever we get to go flying. Anyone who knows me very well, knows I spend a lot of time up in the sky.. It’s been like that my whole life. Every time we get ready for take off in the single engine plane to fly over the north east part of Florida, we start off with a quick prayer asking God for protection. Deep in my heart, I always ask my family especially my Grandma who have passed away to look after us. Truth be told, besides the breath taking views and my increased heart rate I get when we are high up, flying means a lot to me because I feel like I am closer to my Grandma. We might not be high enough to reach Heaven, but it is a lot closer than we were on ground. But no matter how many times I fly, flights I catch, or the quality of the plane, Father Alex has shown me that we can fly as high as we want, but it’s the actions and the people we are when we land back on the ground that matters the most — that this is our ticket to Heaven.

I’ve had many heart to hearts with Alexander the Great, and I’ll never forget the one where he reminded me to be the loving daughter I was meant to be for my family. Then there’s the one where I experienced heart break, and he told me there is a reason for all of this, and in the end I can only become stronger. When we fly, there’s the reminder that when fears are grounded, dreams take flight — to trust in God and let God steer our lives. No matter where we are in the world or how much time passes, the Lord keeps us close — and I’ll never forget that.

Happy 32nd Birthday, Father Alex. I hope it’s nothing but blessings and love on your special day. See you when I am back!