Luis Cristobal Vega Sr

Who am I? A question that has been asked of so many of us in our most intimate hours; yet it is so often answered vaguely or avoided altogether. This question was posed by me to the brothers of Broken Together and it was through the shared intimacy of our brotherhood that I now have an answer to a question that has eluded me for years. I am a man who encourages others to look forward yet fails to heed his own advice. I've spent years reflecting on my childhood, my mistakes, my heartaches, my childrens' heartaches and the life I wish I lived for myself as well as them. When I created Broken Together or the concept of it, my intentions were to give a voice to the voiceless and in the process I found mine. I discovered that who I am is let to be determined, but I am not the man I was yesterday. I have made many mistakes, affected many lives and lost myself in pains that only exist today because of my inability to communicate what they are. Today with the help of others I am a man who has found strength in vulnerability. Today I am a man who still reflects on the errors of yesterday, but who also uses them as a moral compass to help [page break] better navigate through the adversities of today. Today I am a man who loves his children and looks forward to the life we still have to live together. Today I am a man who has overcome addition, overcome a decade of incarceration and the heartaches of losing a life I once took for granted. Today I am a man who appreciates the opportunity many will never be afforded, a second chance! Today I am grateful for overcoming, I am grateful for my losses and for my victories. So who am I? I've answered that question with today's answers, but who will I be tomorrow? That answer is to be continued...I do know the evolution of me is inevitable."

(Do not use without permission of author.)