Nestor Mejia

In Loving Memory of My Beloved Dad, Nestor Mejia With a deeply broken heart, but also with so much love and gratitude, I say goodbye to my beloved father, Nestor Mejia. My dad was born in Manizales, Colombia, and throughout his life he was a strong, hardworking, and determined man. As a self-employed mechanic, he spent many years working with his hands, fixing cars, solving problems, and somehow finding a way to repair what seemed impossible. But to us, his family, his most important work was never as a mechanic. His greatest accomplishment was the love and family he built. To me, Paola Mejia, he was so much more than my father. He was my dad, my protector, part of my strength, and one of the most important people in my life. There are simply no words big enough to explain what he meant to me or the emptiness his absence leaves behind. He was a wonderful grandfather to his granddaughter, Briani Esquilin , and a proud and loving great-grandfather to his great-grandson, Ky’Ell Wilson. Watching his family grow brought him so much joy, and the love he gave them will remain with them forever. He also deeply loved his brother, Henry Mejia, his sister, Yolanda Mejia, and his many nieces and nephews, each of whom held a very special place in his heart. My dad worked hard his entire life and taught us, through his example, the importance of perseverance, strength, loyalty, and taking care of family. He may not have always needed many words to show his love. His love could be seen in what he did, in the way he helped, protected, provided, and was there for the people he cared about. Today, I have to say goodbye to someone I wish could have stayed with me forever. It hurts knowing I will no longer be able to see him, hear his voice, hug him, or share another moment by his side. But I also know how blessed I was to be able to call him my dad. I will hold on to every memory, every lesson, every conversation, every smile, and every moment we shared. Those memories are now treasures that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Dad, thank you for everything you did for us. Thank you for working so hard, for taking care of us, for loving us, and for leaving us with a lifetime of memories. Your hands spent so many years repairing cars, but they also helped build a family that will continue carrying your love and your legacy from generation to generation. Although my heart is broken today, I know that a part of you will always live on in me, in Briani, in Ky'Ell and in every person who had the privilege of knowing and loving you. This is not goodbye, Dad. It is simply “until we meet again.” Rest peacefully, my beloved dad, Nestor Mejia. I will love you and miss you every day of my life. Your memory will live forever in our hearts. With all my love, Your daughter, Paola