I am tired
I am in pain
So much pain, that there are no words to encompass the feeling
only tears and wails and weakness
I am flesh and bone and blood
a paltry sum in the face of it all
in the face of every single day
in the face of the beating sun, the driving rain, the soft death of cold
and yet I rise, all the same
and yet my blood has risen, all the same
to fight, to struggle, to bleed, to die
and yet humanity has risen, all the same
and yet life has risen, all the same
despite life being pain
And so, I am in awe
I can only applaud
I can only dance
I can only sing
I can only breathe
Until I cannot
My father died on March 17th, 2023. He was a good man. He too, knew pain. Even so, he fought to be better. He learned from his mistakes, and from those around him. He was 63 years old. The final year of his life, he spent fighting a neurologically adjacent tumor. Despite his courage, it took his sight and his mobility. He loved me, his wife and all his family with depth and passion. He taught me to bowl and gave me many opportunities that he didn’t have in his own youth. Because of him, I am strong. Because of him, I am wise. Because of him, I am empathetic.
My time in Denver has, without a doubt, been the most difficult period of my life. I’ve lost friends and loved ones, and being so far from home has been lonely, isolating. Despite my pain, and my grief, I have found community. I have found joy. I have found love, and I have a vision for my future.
I have a deep belief in my own power, in the good I can do for my community, for future generations. To that end, I’ve enrolled at the University of Colorado, Denver to study mechanical engineering. I believe in improving our nation’s intercity and intracity rail networks, and in how they intersect with pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. I believe that, with the proper commitment, we can build physically and socially healthier, more sustainable communities while reducing traffic congestion and making housing affordable and accessible in the places we want to live and work.
I have always wanted for my parents to see this reality come to fruition, and that has been something that has reinforced my motivations. While losing my father has felt like a lost opportunity in this sense, I know that he is with me. I know that he believes in me, and what I’m capable of. I’m going to continue to thrive, both for me and for him.
That doesn’t mean I’m any less passionate about the Nuggets, and I wish to continue manifesting that passion here. I may bring in other aspects of my life, too, as well as those of my friends.
I only wish for Four Corners to be the encompassing venue for those passions, and I hope you’ll join us.