On that scorching summer day in Cartagena, as we sought refuge from the heat at the beach, my brother's approach to life became even more evident. Under the shade of an umbrella, with the rhythmic waves providing a soothing backdrop, he shared words that transcended the traditional narrative of academic achievement. "You know," he began, his eyes reflecting a depth of experience, "I will always be there for you" Those single words of affirmation had me set, I truly never realize how much I admire him until someone brings him up and I am met with a serious of unexpected memories that fill my heart with warmth when he has shown time and time again to not be confined to the cruelty of others he is someone kind because he simply wants to be not because he expects anything in return.

 One of the times my brother was brought up happened on a late-night drive through Miami with my aunt, she mentioned him briefly and I started my usual combustion of compliments when she stopped at a red light looked me in the eye, and said” Juan es la luz de tus ojos” meaning “ he is the light of your eyes” and he truly is. He has come as an unexpected role model because while we have extremely different goals while I like stability and he likes risks, he prefers a more flexible environment and I would like to stay still he is still one of the people I most look up to. When I look at him I see kindness, work-ethic, and passion for everything he does, tell me who wouldn't want to be this way?

 While my brother has never received a straight A report card or a fancy award his value lies much deeper than within the superficial aspects of intelligence. He made me realize I want to be more than just good grades and a certificate which is what I aspired to be most of my life he inspired me to do more with myself. This encouraged me to look within and really reflect on what I wanted to be. I have always gotten the majority of my validation from academics because that's the thing that made me feel good about myself until I started wondering if that was really what I wanted to be more admired about myself. At my funeral, I wouldn't want people to talk about my perfect grades in high school on the contrary I wanted them to mention all the kindness and good I held out to others. This is why when I look at my big brother I see a beckon of what I want to achieve when his back is turned his value really comes forward. This doesn't mean in any way I still don't try my best to get good grades it just means my perspective took a major turn into what I want to be and what I want to look at when I see myself in a mirror.