I don’t have a memory of this man not at work, being at work or around a desk. The memories I have are the smell of his musk and cigarettes in his office. The stain of that ugly green in his office. The few times I saw him was while at his house where he’d come home, the pots would clang he’d fix something to eat and go to bed. There’s been an occasion where some times he’d pull into his garage and the vehicle would be running with the lights on. We’d go there and find him asleep inside. To many he was the king he had a central AC system, internet, and his boys, my cousins had gaming systems that just came out. In a third world country these things were luxurious. He had a maid to clean, there was a young girl around all the time and he remained a bachelor never settling down, in fact he had a daughter in his late 50s. The Chinese finally came through and bought out the sugar plantation which he worked which spurred the coming of end of a decades long career. He had plans to re open my grandma’s chicken farm and was going to make some much needed improvements to the home we all grew up. His better years were just within reach: raising chickens, being with his daughter and watching his sons become great men fathers themselves. He never made it. As I age I ready myself for news like this, I know my uncles aunts are getting older and their time will come. I am prepared, but it’s the thought that this great man that I loved respected admired never got around to enjoy the fruits of his labor breaks me to the core. God why could you have not given this man another 10 years. Why let him end suffering and in pain for all that he has done sacrificed given to rise out of poverty. I hope you all know whatever you are out here grinding for ain’t going to be worth if you are not living. Spend your days living even if it means living without or with very little instead of sacrificing the gift of time you have been given to be on this earth just to be equals. This is my woke moment and I hope I can wake you all up too.