emotions.anger.sadness.loneliness.fear.grief.empty. you say tears are for the weak and i know you are watching from above. so i turn my cheek and don't give any of them the satisfaction of seeing me weep.

(A letter to "my 2nd father".)

Hey Crazy Hippie. I had to say good bye to you today. As the tears engulfed my cheeks, trembles controlled my limbs until I thought I would lose consciousness. I kept wishing you were there to say something sarcastic and make me laugh or at least force me to become defensive. But then I guess I wouldn't be mourning. Thank you for showing me the importance of passion, love, friendship, generosity, dedication, hard work, pride and dreams. You are an amazing man and your legacy will live forever. Our family will never be the same without you.

Love always and forever,
Pooki