Today would have been my grandfather’s one hundredth birthday, but he died from a stroke when I was very young and still living in Brazil. He knew so many people, and to this day, who knew him speaks highly of him, he was kind but righteous. Unfortunately I don’t have many memories with him but I have one that is very clear to me.

It was a sunny day in Brazil and I was playing in the yard at school, I must have been 5 years old. I looked up past the fence and I saw him! I knew he was watching me for a while and I was so excited to see him, we both waved and I went back to playing. Interestingly I have this feeling to this day, even though he is not here, I feel that somewhere he may still be watching me.

Another thing about him is that, much like myself, he was always on the move. He could not stay in one place or inside the house for too long. He moved around castrating animals in farms and selling animals when needed. When my mother was leaving Brazil to move to America he was very sick, she debated giving up and staying there for him, but she had my brother and I to provide for. On her last visit to him he said to her “coragem minha filha” which means have courage my daughter, and since I lost my arm she says this to me.

Today I move to Florida, to start a new life and it wasn’t planned but it is happening on what would have been his birthday. I am scared, I quit a good job to go pursue a gut feeling purpose. I sold my condo and payed off my car to cut on expenses, and I am leaving my boyfriend behind.

This wasn’t an easy choice, but I came to it because deep in my heart I know through my experiences I may be able to help more people to build confidence and overcome anything! I could have died in 2017 but for some reason I am still here so I don’t want this second chance to be in vain. One thing is certain, life is too short, and I may not have this opportunity again.. so here we go!

I don’t know if this is fate or just plain coincidence, but I am open and trusting that this “gut feeling purpose” is really what is meant for my life. I know its going to be hard, and my dedication and hard work will need to be stronger than ever, but if I can transform one life from sharing what I have been through, all of it will have been worth it!