There are moments in life when loss becomes the greatest teacher. This reflection is for the three extraordinary men whose love, courage, and wisdom continue to shape who I am becoming — my mentor, my dear friend, and my father. Each of them walked beside me through different seasons of my life, leaving behind lessons that still whisper in my heart.
This is not just a story of grief — it’s a story of gratitude, growth, and grace.
For the ones who came before me, whose light still lives within me.
There are days when I find myself thinking of the three men who helped shape the person I’ve become—three souls whose wisdom, love, and courage continue to echo through my life.
My mentor, who passed away this past summer, often comes to mind during quiet moments.He had a way of seeing life differently — challenging how I thought while expanding how I understood the world. One of his lessons still echoes in my mind: “Focus on behavior, not words, because words can be inconsistent.” I may have shared before that one of my biggest pet peeves in communication is when words don’t align with actions. That simple truth has stayed with me, reminding me that integrity isn’t spoken — it’s shown. That simple truth taught me to look deeper, to read people and situations with clarity and compassion. He also deepened my understanding of politics and peace building in conflict areas here in our country—
teaching me that real peace begins with empathy, patience,
and the courage to listen even when it’s uncomfortable.
Through him, I learned that wisdom is not found in answers,
but in the humility to keep asking questions.
My dear friend, who journeyed ahead of me three years ago,
was my confidante and companion as I stepped deeper into my spiritual awakening.
He taught me to observe patterns—the unseen connections that weave through our lives—
and to sharpen and embrace my intuition. He helped me trust that quiet, steady voice within, even when the world outside was loud and uncertain. I remember him wandering through thrift bookstores, searching for the spiritual books he knew I longed to read. He nurtured my emotional depth, guided me with kindness, and reminded me that transformation often begins in stillness.
And then there is my father— the first to embrace my free spirit and independent path. He made one of the most loving and courageous decisions when he allowed me to pursue community development work, traveling to the peripheries of our country for poverty eradication, community empowerment, and nation-building. It changed our family rhythm—I could only come home once every quarter or on holidays— but he trusted me enough to follow my calling. From him, I learned to give my best in everything I do, the condfidence to pursue my heart’s desire, to strive for continuous improvement, and to live with generosity and humility. His courage to heal his own trauma by helping others remains one of the most inspiring truths I carry.
He taught me that healing is not just personal—it can become a gift we give to the world.
His example of purpose, perseverance, and integrity continues to anchor me,
reminding me that service, when rooted in love, is the highest form of strength.
Losing them—one after another—was a tender unraveling of my heart.
Yet in my quietest moments, I feel them still.
They live on in the way I think, in how I choose compassion over judgment,
and in every brave step I take toward becoming.
Now, as I recalibrate my life’s purpose and plan, I stand in awe of my progress— not because everything is perfect, but because I am learning to trust the process. This season is teaching me surrender—to let go of what I can’t control, to flow with life instead of resisting it, and to allow grace to move through me.
And as I move forward, I carry them with me—their wisdom lighting my path, their faith whispering through my heart, their love shaping every part of who I am and who I am still becoming.
As I continue this journey, I carry their light with me — quietly guiding my choices, softening my heart, and reminding me to live with purpose. I’ve learned that loss doesn’t have to end a relationship; it simply transforms it. Their presence may no longer be physical, but it lives on in every act of kindness, every moment of courage, and every step I take toward becoming a better version of myself.
Surrender, I am learning, is not about giving up — it’s about trusting that life has its own rhythm. It’s about letting go of control and allowing grace to unfold in its own time. And so, with gratitude and peace, I move forward — anchored in love, guided by their wisdom, and open to whatever the next chapter brings.
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