Today should be a holiday...
At least for me ;-)
I don't know if its by divine intervention or sheer coincidence that these types of days exist in my life...
TODAY...
50 years ago... my older brother was born. Luis Aspillaga.
While we weren't born from the same mother (our mothers were sisters),
we grew up together, dreamt together about the world and our lives...
The biggest cost to my leaving Peru, was not getting to have him be a bigger part of my life.
He is an exceptional man - ambitious, loving, generous, caring, present, and loyal... loyal beyond words.
As a child and as an adult - I love being near Luis. He fills me with life.
I adore him, aspire to him, and miss him... He is a GIFT to all who know him... He brings life and laughter wherever he goes... and he works harder than anyone I know to achieve it.
TODAY...
49 years ago... my dear friend Phil Case was born.
He became my American brother. His family "adopted" me when we moved to the states.
His home was my "safe" place, where I felt like I belonged in the United States.
His brother and sister became dear friends, and his parents, specially his mother, became part of my family. She was my godmother at my confirmation.
As a child, growing up... I longed to be close to Phil and his family.
He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona and I get to visit him on my trips West.
He has an amazing and beautiful family, and remains the nicest human being that I have ever known.
As a child and as an adult - I love to spend time with him. He fills me with life.
TODAY
30 years ago (give or take a year) Dennis Jones was born...
I met Dennis when he was a Freshman in High School in 2001. He was my mentee at 180s.
I have watched him grow and mature and become a father and a police man in Baltimore.
Dennis has become not only a friend, and part of our family, but someone that inspires me deeply.
Dennis is one of the best men that I have ever met. He has always had the faith, the courage, and the discipline to choose right from wrong. He has grown up in an environment with every type of temptation around him - and he has always chosen wisely - for himself & his family.
He has taken on challenges, one after another... and never wavered, never slowed... just steadily built a life to do right and do good.
He is a dedicated, loving and amazing father to two beautiful kids. And, he has slowly made his dreams come true.
What I love most about Dennis, is how he has embraced me and my family into his life - and always done it with the most sincere love and graciousness.
Dennis Jones is a living hero in life for me. He is an example of selflessness and gratitude. And, I love spending time with him. I love and admire, Dennis.
TODAY
10 years ago... I joined EMG.
It is now the longest place that I have ever worked... and it has given me the role that I always wanted to have.
I get to lead. I get to dream. I get to create. And, I get to figure out how to make my dreams come true.
I have learned so very much and have grown so very much in my years at EMG. And, I am deeply grateful for every person that I have met while working there.
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU...
because it has always BEEN WITH ME...
From the very first day that I was born, and someone laid me down next to Luis.... to the days when I met Phil on the Soccer field... to the days when I got to know Dennis at "Big Bang" as the company was called then and we shared long awkward lunches getting to know each other... to the day I came in to EMG... thinking it would be a year or two that I would stay....
MAY 4th is a very special day in my life... because the people that were born on this day have played such an amazing part of my life...
So very grateful for this day...
May the 4th is with me...
in harmony,
Nestor