The last weekend I spent with my dad before he died, I stayed with him in the hospital all weekend (October 2003). Just me and him, talking about the future and what he wanted to do when he was better. During that time we flipped channels and watched a number of movies. But 2 of them stuck out to me; Rocky and Rocky II. Now you're probably wondering why those movies? Sly Stallone? Boxing?... Well to be completely honest they were the last movies we watched together.
During the commercials my dad would talk about how much he loved those movies and how one day he would love to go to Philadelphia... But the more I watched the movies, the more I began to relate to it. At the time, I was in the 7th grade and at a low point because literally, all I wanted to do was spend time with him in the hospital. I could care less what my grades were or about homework. People doubted me in class, even some of my teachers but I fought back and brought my grades up eventually. I was also struggling with the harsh reality that there was a chance my dad one day would never come home, but I was fighting and praying that everything would be ok. Yes.. I know I was only 12 but sometimes you have to grow up and think about reality.... I did that at a very young age. I grew up.
By the time both the movies ended I was so pumped like every other man in the world that watched those movies and wanted to do something amazing. My dad saw the spark in my eyes. Watching Rocky lose then come back and win... it was an amazing storyline. To show that not everyone wins but can make a comeback was just awesome. My dad turned and looked at me and said "never quit because the things you want to accomplish are right in front of you.. coprende?" Of course I said "yes coprende" That has stuck with me since then. Through every struggle, injury, class, task, that has stuck with me. When I want to quit, I hear my dads voice say that to me and I keep on going. When I finally made it to Philadelphia in August 2012... its like everything came full circle and running up the Museum of Art stairs was my gift back to my dad. I finally made it and experienced the best view you could possibly imagine. When you're up there and you see the Philadelphia skyline.. its a gateway to endless possibilities. That will always be my favorite place ever. One day.. and yes i know this is cheesy as hell but one day I wanna get proposed to up there..... But that won't happen for a long time hahaha.
Unfortunately and sadly, my dad lost his fight to his health issues about a week after we watched those movies together. My dad fought long and hard for years; being in and out of the hospital. He was a true champion going in the ring for that long and fighting for his life. Getting knocked down and returning to the hospital. And getting back up to fight and come back home to us. His struggle and fight is what motivates me to keep pushing and moving forward.
Its really crazy; the day before my dad died my mom and I were in the yard cleaning up and we noticed a rainbow halo above our house. Not knowing that it was a sign, we both were just fascinated by it and its rare beauty. We didn't know what the meaning was until the next day when my mother answered the phone and the scream I heard that would change my life forever....
Although he is gone. He is always with me. The sirens and train horn I heard when I graduated BMT is the best sign he could have given me that he was there. But most of all he was and always will be my champion that I look up to. Despite going round after round with his health issues. He fought long and hard to get back up and come back home to us. His last fight was not a loss but a win for him to be in a better place. I sometimes still get angry and greedy wishing he was here. But its selfish in a way because of everything he went through. Now he's somewhere up in the clouds without any pain or suffering. He's up there watching me and my family day by day. I will close this post with this...
"You, me, or nobody is gonna hit hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done" -Rocky Balboa
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