40% Parents

60% Peers, mentors, and media

I was that shy kid who would listen

Tucked in shirt and everything,

Dawn and dusk I was a good kid

Night & day my family was not

David? Arrested

Marcos? Arrested

Mother? Detested

Mama always said, “Don't be like your brothers.”

Misbehaved kids get attention from parents, behaved one gets none

Raised by friends, family and coaches

Friends. Some, more family than family.

Friends, people who I trust more with my feelings than my own blood

Memory are with my friends

They gave me pain, they gave me opportunities

Opportunities to change the world once again

Opportunities to unknowingly receive pain  

Whom else does such a thing?

Family

-“Anomaly!”

Sincerely, Family…

“ It’s good to help others!”- Dad

“Community service? What a waste!”- Dad

“Money doesn’t buy happiness! Follow your dream!”- Mom

“Forget internships! Forget the dream! Make that green!”- Mom

Definition of Contradiction: Parents

Their words, almost seem as real as a mirage

Though this was constant, family gave much love

They gave me a backbone

Showed that love is much more than I love yous and hugs all the time

It is about meaning it after a fight,

It is about seeing the light,

It is about love reaching a new height

Mom and I every night

Coaches preached; “ HELP EACH OTHER! LOVE EACH OTHER!”

I loved my teammates, helped my teammates

The creed coach carved into me like a tattoo

Nearly died by that creed!

Blood, sweat, tears! All put in for my passion

Countless nights messaging people to events

Countless nights planning for hours

Countless hours invested in something the 60% are proud of me for doing

Helping people are the coal of my motivation train

And the wheels are the 60%

What about the 40%?

Oh yeah! They are the tracks to success

Life is a story of many tails, mine just so happens to be two.