A Million Dollar Dream: My Father’s Quest to Redeem Lost Time with His Daughters
Thomas Puka, my beloved father, epitomized the American Dream.
He was blessed with a loving wife and three daughters, and together with his father, he built a thriving business, Puka Construction and Puka Electric.
Their success was a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Tragically, one evening, everything changed.
A devastating circular saw accident severely injured his dominant right hand, rendering it useless and abruptly ending his career in construction.
This accident was not just a physical setback; it triggered a severe bipolar disorder that profoundly altered his American Dream and strained his relationships with his wife and daughters due to deep depression and withdrawal.
For years, he valiantly fought the relentless highs and lows of bipolar disorder.
As he grappled with the impact of his mental health on his family, especially his daughters, he embarked on a redemptive mission:
The One Million Dollar Journey!
Determined to leave a substantial legacy for each daughter, he aimed to accumulate one million dollars for each before his departure from this world.
This $3,000,000 Dream was his way of compensating for the times his mental illness prevented him from being the father he wanted to be.
His journey came to an end on April 2, 2021.
Miraculously, he had nearly achieved his ambitious goal.
The Price of Preserving Memories: My Sacrifice to Keep Our Family Home
However, the legacy he intended for his daughters faced an unexpected twist.
One daughter, driven by a desire to honor her mother’s wish, chose not to sell the family home filled with cherished memories, despite it being owned by an irrevocable trust.
This daughter, deeply devoted to both parents, willingly gave up her $400,000 inheritance to keep the special house within the family, planning to eventually pass it on to her son, Joe, once her parents, Thomas and Marge, were reunited in heaven.
Though this decision was viewed by my family as self-serving and led to my removal as a trustee and the obligation to purchase the beloved family home, it was a choice made out of love and respect for my father’s memory.
Despite the challenges and misunderstandings, my love for my father remains unwavering.
Dad, your spirit and love continue to guide us.
I love you forever. 💕
