mira papa

I let go of your hand and leaped forward.  The feeling was something un-describable.  I was independent. Confident.  Full of energy.  “Balanceate contra la calle”, you said with a smile on your face and a sweat on your brow.  “No te caigas!”, you screamed.  I fell.  I had learned to ride a bike.

I look back on it and wish I had the words to thank you.  To let you know how much that day trully inspired me.  While some dads resorted to drinking, smoking, and leaving their families – you did not.  You stuck around.  Even though at times there were arguments between you and mom, you stuck it through.  You listened.  You kept your mouth shut.  You sacraficed.

I think of the day you taught me to fly a kite.  We stayed up all night building it.  I chose to color mines red so that it could be seen by all.  You told me to be creative and use tools that were light.  You laughed at my oginial kite, but helped me to fix it.  We went down to the Malecon and you told me to hold it up high and tight.  “No lo dejes ir”.  I ran accross the plaza holding it as high as my small hands could lift it so you can see it.  “Mira, papa, Mira Papa!!!” I screamed.  You looked back and nodded.

No words can express how thankful I am for what you have done for us.  How you taught me to be the man I am today.  I often think how much more than I can do for you because of all you have done for me.  You have been everything that I hope to some day be, papa.  You have changed the world.  You haved righted wrongs.  You accomplished great things.  You sacraficed your life for us.  You never left us, and you never stoped loving us.  You were born to a life less privledge than mine, and now that I look back you gave up more than what I could have ever think to give.

I feel inspired as to what is to come next.  I am inspired because you are here, papa.  I am inspired to be the man you are today.  I am not of the wealthiest man, but I have more than most.  I am well educated.  I am opinionated.  I am giving.  I have true friendships.

I am a reflection of you.