My Abuelo dropped out of school in third grade to help farm and sell crops in his homeland of Cuba. He fell in love and made it abundantly clear to my grandmother that his goal was to move his family out of Cuba when communism rule began. When he attempted to leave Cuba illegally, he was imprisoned and missed out on the first five years of his life with my mother, however, during his imprisonment, he did not change his attitude towards life.

My grandfather managed to find a passage for his family to the United States. Within two weeks of coming to the United States, he was ready to open his restaurant business. When there was an internal employee who stole his revenues causing him to shut down, he moved across the country and became a regular produce salesman at the flea market.  

For as early as I can remember, my grandfather would teach me about how important math was. He instilled within me the importance of being deliberate with your money. I admired the fact that even with the little education he received, he was smart enough to manage his business successfully.

He was not rich, but he had the right quality of life. I admired that he had savings and the appropriate life insurances in place to care for his family after his untimely passing. I admired that he was a “self-made” man, so when I finally learned that term in school, I was able to grasp the concept for my vocabulary test by correlating that word to my grandfather. 

Now that I am older, I can look back and see the greater impact he has left on my journey. I always attribute my sense of strength to him. I can picture a 7 year old version of me holding out my chest with pride when he would tell me I was so strong for being able to pick up the produce boxes. I learned about scales, how to divide weight measurements and to estimate footage before it was brought up on my state tests. It wasn’t just physical strength. 

My grandfather was well-rounded and taught me other principles by setting an example. He had a beautiful marriage and working relationship with my grandmother. He demonstrated to me how a couple could work together as long as they communicated openly. In a respectful manner, I saw my grandmother participate as part of the business selling produce, just as I would see my grandfather cook specialty meals like fish soup or traditional fried rice. 

He had friends from diverse backgrounds and learned from his friends. He repaid them with kindness by providing them food and once even giving up his dress shoes to someone who needed them for a job interview. 

My grandfather instilled within me an ambition and drive that has been cultivated by plenty of other elders after him. The fact that he was a working adult who saw potential in me gave me the confidence to be whatever I wanted. I was fortunate to have my grandfather in my life up until the time before I had just started my professional career. 

The very last conversation I had with him was on the phone, I had an intense gut feeling that I needed to assure him I loved him. When I learned of his passing two days later, I was initially distraught. After crying for a bit, I realized how grateful I was for our last interaction and found peace because I was always so appreciative of the time I spent with him. 

My grandfather was the first person to teach me about respect, pride, ethics and how to work through losing someone you love. So many life lessons come from one individual in my life, who I know also has left a lasting impression on myself as well as those around me.