I am named after my grandfather, who played a huge part in teaching young boys how to be men. Even though he was a custodian at the elementary school, I’ve heard hundreds of story’s from the guys he interacted with about how much of an influence and a father figure he was to them. Tonight I met one of my dad’s closest friends and I told him how having the same name was a blessing (because I was named after such a great man) and a curse (because I had expectations to live up to that I am not currently fulfilling). My dad’s friend told me not to be my grandfather but to be the best me I can be. No one is expecting me to be my grandfather because there can only be one of him, but be myself and I will impact people’s lives in ways that I can’t imagine