In the memory of someone who was always pa' lante, moving forward, Uzielito Pecina

As the Kansas City Star obituary reads, UZIEL MELGOZA PECINA, JR. Uziel Melgoza Pecina, Jr., affectionately known as "Uzielito" went to heaven on November 4, 2016. (You can read his full obituary at (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=uziel-melgoza-pecina&pid=182366162&fhid=11272.)

His altar symbolizes a celebration of life. It was built only hours after he passed into heaven, proving the unwavering support and love he gave to others.

On Wednesday, November 9, the entire Pecina - Melgoza family (+ friends) slept on couches, mattresses, and in blanket piles to be together after this beautiful celebration of life. We woke up to President Donald Trump AND a funeral. Uzielito was never on earth to witness this American tragedy.

But Uzielito was the kind of person who would cross the line between the Trump and Hillary supporters. There was a moment that his friends and family used to describe his patience, his resilience, his willingness to eliminate the border between "the other." When Trump came to speak in Kansas City, MO, there were protests, fights, and so much ugliness where friendships were broken. Yet friends talked about Uziel crossing the line and listening, really listening, to the words of a Trump supporter. He wasn't trying to shout over them. He simply tried to come together and not label a Trump supporter as an enemy, as someone that automatically triggered his anger.

During the celebration of Uzielito's life on Wednesday, nobody was thinking about the election. His parents found the strength to go to the stage and speak about how Uzielito would want everyone to look forward and feed off each other's strength. Uzielito wouldn't want everyone to leave this country. Uzielito would want to build a better nation, bit by bit, with patience and love for community. This was his legacy, and a lesson that should encourage us to do the same.