And so I start again, trying to find the right words, the perfect words for the person with the perfect words. Third time’s a charm right? Except I have surpassed my third attempt at this. I want to say it’s ok, because that’s what I know you would say. But it’s not ok Tino. Your passing opened up a world of hurt, not just for me, for everyone who loved you. So how do I fit 23years and thousands of interactions into a few minutes?
How do I put in words, what a beautifully flawed human you are? I can already hear you say it in my ear kuti haaa you’re overthinking this, just flow dont resist.
But resistance has become my reality, not just mine Tino, everyone’s. Resist the urge to cry, the urge to call out to you, to be angry at you. Resist the urge to breakdown everytime I hear your name. Now you’ve awoken this world of pain. You had a way of awakening the deepest parts of us, the most magical parts of ourselves. The magic you saw hidden behind mountains of faults and piles of doubt.
You would through that dirt, smiling and excited to meet the person behind the facade. My biggest question though was always why didn’t you see it in the man in the mirror? It took you so long to find what the rest of us were already staring at, magic. But you eventually did, and you held onto it and spread it like a plague. And for that Tino, I, we will forever be grateful. Grateful to have witnessed you grow and evolve and go though that metamorphosis and energetic victor. A bright and shining young man.
Thank you for having loved us enough to have given yourself fully to us. You are a son, a brother, a brother but most importantly as you would ever so textbook phrase it you were “whatever God called you to be.”
In our last conversation you told me He’d called you to be a healer. Now God’s called you home. We try not to be mad at you or Him because you drilled it into my head that transition only occurs when our work here is done. I wish I’d have listened when you said all we have is now. Id have appreciated more nows with you. As hard as it is to accept your God given assignment is finally complete. I wish you could have spared a moment to allow us a goodbye.
I feel lucky, I feel blessed that you’ve been a friend of mine.
Till we meet again you magical man.
Rest Easy Tino
We love you and we miss you always.
Beauty❤
Forever loved ❤️ RIP Tino
Beautiful tribute
Beautiful ode to an authentic soul
You’re right, he always told me not to overthink. Thank you Tino, your mission is complete.
Breathtaking words❤️. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
Heartfelt
It’s so hard to believe yet it is true l fill a lot of pain in my heart the question still remain Why he wz an innocent soul maybe there was a reason why God called u early Tino but we always thank the great work that u did fr 23years and thank u also fr being a good boy who always lesson to ur parents ur teachers ohhh Tino it really pains a lot but we try to tell ourselves that it’s ok but it’s not till we meet again Tino may soul rest peacefully
Beautiful worlds….We will forever miss u Tino…”our baby”….Our Son
Beautiful Tribute, It is well…..
10 years ago you were my student in Grade 6 Tino, brilliant one and a pleasure to teach! Am still in disbelief though. Rest well my boy !
Thank you
You said it all. What really touched me is the part where you said it took him so long to see what we always saw. Meeting him and loving him was gift. There’s not a lot to say. He was special. Imperfectly perfect. We all have a Tino moment and it’s weird that he’s just gone. I remember saying to you that the greatest gift Tino left us was each other, so I love you and you will never stand alone.
I love you forever Tino
Beautiful