One of my dad's favorite poems by Amado Nervo

En Paz Artifex vitae, artifex sui Muy cerca de mi ocaso, yo te bendigo, Vida, porque nunca me diste ni esperanza fallida, ni trabajos injustos, ni pena inmerecida; porque veo al final de mi rudo camino que yo fui el arquitecto de mi propio destino; que si extraje la miel o la hiel de las cosas,

fue porque en ellas puse hiel o mieles sabrosas: cuando planté rosales coseché siempre rosas. Cierto, a mis lozanías va a seguir el invierno:

¡mas tú no me dijiste que mayo fuese eterno! Hallé sin duda largas las noches de mis penas; mas no me prometiste tan solo noches buenas; y en cambio tuve algunas santamente serenas… Amé, fui amado, el sol acarició mi faz. ¡Vida, nada me debes! ¡Vida, estamos en paz! —Amado Nervo In Peace Architect of life, architect of himself So near to my end, I bless you, Life, because you never gave me false hope, unjust work or undeserved sorrow;

for I see at the end of my rough road that I was the architect of my own destiny; and if I extracted honey or gall from things, it was because I myself gave them gall or delicious honey:

when I planted rosebushes I always gathered roses. True, my youthful vigor shall be followed by winter: but you never said May would be eternal! I discovered without a doubt the long nights of my sorrows; for you never promised me only good nights; and yet I had some that were serenely sacred… I loved, I was loved, the sun caressed my face. Life, you owe me nothing! Life, we are at peace! —Translation by Katie Villaseñor

Dear Ricardo, A man of wise, kind, and compassionate words, with a deep love for music, family, and friends, you are a true inspiration. I came across this photo of you, beautifully capturing your generous spirit and the joy you bring to the community. I'm sending you a big hug and gratitude for the light you share with all whose paths you cross.

--Fabiola