CRUZ

 Cruz was born premature and has fought the effects of his premature birth along with malnutrition his whole life. Always pushing harder, standing taller, fighting longer to make up for his lack of stature. It’s funny to us now, that he was given the nickname “Popeye” but it shows just how much he’s tried to beat the odds since he was little. 

His character also came off as one that had something to prove. And for a season he did. He had to prove his worth and value for years with others on the street by keeping up in the drug game and with his family and friends. His demeanor was emotionless, walls built higher than the Great Wall of China, he was stoic, but you could tell he was observing it all. Who was MARKED? And what did he have to prove to be apart of our family? 

The answer. Nothing. 

Over time, Cruz joined our soccer team, after months of practices and games, spending time on and off the field he came to find out that what we said we lived. And he in fact had nothing to prove. That he was able to simply be himself and be fully accepted. The beautiful thing is that he is discovering the young man he had been stifling for so many years and is beginning to become the person he was always meant to be. 

Cruz may not be the biggest, nor the tallest, not actually hardcore at all. He is not distant, but rather he is fast, really fast, agile, a young man with vision, determination, and is super funny. He brings joy everywhere he goes and there is renewed hope in his every step.