These are wonderful tributes. I've been trying to think of something, but all I can remember are a few brief compliments.

I had just got my first decent job in California and it was brutal. The physical part was about all I could take, loading trucks with milk using a dairy hook. The foreman came out and gave me shit about everything and I was sure I wasn't going to make it. Next to me was a guy that was training to be a driver and would only be there for a week, he could see that I was just about defeated, so he says to me, "that guy is riding you because he's scared of you, you're smarter than he is, you'll have his job in a year". I did. That driver was my friend through thick and thin all the time he was working in the same company.

I am reading your post, sitting alone in my first born daughter 1 year old 4 bedroom new house... bought on her own... to me she is always going to be "mi semillita"... my little seed... All grown up now. Smart, because she been listening to her mother... the other day she was telling me about dating this guy with a lot of misdemeanors on his record and she was thinking, "my Dad is the craziest guy I know and he has a Clean Record so don't tell me you are smart". Not having Priorities Straight is our Greatest Sin. I am happy for picking the Right Woman for Mother of My Children...Now I can put the pen down, close my eyes and smile in peace in my daughter's kingdom, knowing any Consort King will have to Deal with the Only King of the House... Her Mother.

"Encouragement" can take different forms.
Sometimes, things which are meant to hurt can turn out to light a fire which lasts
your whole life.

"You'll be dead before you're 30."

The person who said that, meant it.
I used those words to defy him, and everything he had once stood for in my life.
I'm still here.
Like I said, encouragement takes all sorts of forms.

From Stoic philosophy, somewhat paraphrased:

"It can always be worse. FInd a way."

Good words for your daughter; inspiring to read here.

I had a career as a public school teacher (elementary & middle school). I taught third grade for many years. Mainly inner city schools of Dallas. Worked with second language students. I would have these 8-9 year olds all day, all year for the school year. There is a bonding that happens at that level so that at the end of the school year there is always crying and hugging, but I never really knew the affect I had on them.

Years later with the arrival of Facebook many former students found me and left posts about how I influenced their lives that really put that cherry on my career. Several became teachers because of me. I am sure there were many more influences between me and their adulthood. I still was humbled and feel good about myself today.

I still have a personal letter that my mom wrote to me, years ago, saying things she never said out loud, regarding how she admired some things about me. I find it once in a while, read it and cry, but the intensity is kinda strong, so I'm happy to just remember the gist of it and not get it out very often.

One comment from a stranger I remember clearly, after only meeting briefly, is that she said she could tell I strive for excellence. Well, I'm not sure that's true all the time, but remembering her comment helps me keep to my course sometimes.

When a friend pointed out 'we can do this .... coz if we don't, we die'