one of those things that reminds us of how short life can be...

In my last post, I told you the story of all the people my grandfather helped in his lifetime. One of those people was my Uncle B. My grandfather helped him and his family through some hardships; allowed them to build a home on his land. Over time, he was more than just my grandfather's drinking buddy... he was family. In my grandfather's final days, Uncle B was there with him within an arms reach ready to help in every way imaginable.

As I grew up, I had the privilege to get to know Uncle B and his family. I played with his children, all of whom were older than me. They welcomed me into their home, share meals with them. To me, they were family. During the summers when all my other cousins were away, I would go over to their home in the middle of the day to sit and talk. He even taught me a little carpentry. I also joined in on some farming. I remember the time when I helped them harvest sugar canes then enjoying fresh sugar cane juice, digging the ground for peanuts, climbing the tall Kamansi (Breadfruit) trees to pluck the delicious fruit. Granted most may see it as the 'simple life' but through that I grew to appreciate and respect the land... the worth of a hard day's work.

I write this post in the memory of my Uncle B. Sadly, he passed away yesterday. I at least had the pleasure to see him again on my last trip home. There is no way to put to words how grateful I am to him, his family. He has been a great influence in my life. My prayers go out to him and his family. May he rest in God's endless love.

The Book of Alberto... 3

Among the many things that I have learned from my grandfather, one of the most important lesson was to help people without any thought or expectation of compensation. In the summers that I spent strolling around with him, he brought me to meet people of various backgrounds, and creeds. He introduced  me to these people and their families getting to know their livelihood, the varying personalities. In the end, I find that all these people revolve around my grandfather because he has helped them in one way or another. Even in the last days of my grandfather, these people stayed with by his hospital bed to help watch over him. 

My grandfather was not a perfect but he was a great man. I pray that I can at least be half the man he was.

One thing I realized recently, who needs a father when I already have so many father- figures who have taught me more than they realize.

A jumble of thoughts...

I am not really sure what I am trying to achieve with this post but my head is crammed with a string of thoughts that don't seem to tie together so I figure just let it out...

1. Have you ever had that pitting feeling in your stomach that you aren't sure what the cause is?  Or at least not able to pinpoint exactly what is causing it.. Right now my stomach is in knots? I know for sure it wasn't the ribs from Ribfest (which apparently is the largest rib event in North America). I can narrow down what are the probable causes but again I can't really figure it out.

2. Perfection, I think, is an illusion specifically when talking about people. I am the first to admit to myself that I am imperfect. I am flawed and at times I certainly feel broken.

3. The saying "Good guys always finish last" has been a thought that I have wrestled around in my head for a very long time. I think I am a good guy... There have been many good things that have happened in my life moreso recently that disproves this statement but at the same over the many years I get the short end of the stick, the kick in the mouth, the stab in the back, the gut reching feeling of loss, the heart break.

4. I think one of the main reasons why I started this blog was really because I was hanging on by a thread. I did not know which direction to go or what to do... And at certain times what to live for. The past two years has been particularly rough to a point that's made me question myself.

5. I fell in love. Some times I am scared because I wouldn't want to lose her that I fallen deeply for... Which is way I lay everything out there, out in the open. My Fatima...

Well that's certainly a load off... I think I'll be able to sleep now.