The Mentor Of My Life

Abuelo,

On occasion, people appear randomly in your life,

Like the shapes of clouds in the blue sky.

You were my cloud when skies were gray.

Since I was little you loved with no conditions,

Called every day to make sure I was doing okay.

You gave me all the tools I needed to become a good man,

Gave me advice that would help me,

Told me to never make the mistakes you did.

You had the biggest heart and there was no doubt,

Bigger than any mountain I can recall,

You took me as if I was your own,

Raised me as if I was related to you,

Even though you didn't know about me after 2 years of being born,

You loved me more than any of your real grandsons,

Gave me the love of a real grandfather.

Even when my dad left me alone with my mom,

You were there and took on the role of dad,

You were there 14 years of my life,

And never expected anything back.

I'm sorry for never telling you when I had the chance,

Of how grateful I am for everything you did for me when you were alive.

I hope you can forgive me for not being there,

In the last minutes of your life;

You know I would have been there if I had the chance,

But I was in another country following your advice,

I was trying to become the man you wanted me to become in life.

Even though you weren’t there the first day of my life,

You were there in the last days of yours.

Cancer didn't prevent you from it;

Your advice and lessons are always going to be a part of who I am.

You shaped me into the man I am becoming,

Taught me to have goals in my mind,

And I will always be thankful for that.

Now I’m a senior looking for an opportunity to achieve a good life,

If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here trying the hardest I can to succeed,

You taught me one of the most important lessons:

To never give up and always keep going no matter what,

Because everything is possible,

I just need to give the best of me and the best things will come.

Thank you, Abuelo,

Not for just being a mentor but for being in my life.