“He Became A Father Figure To Me”

I think the hardest part of growing up without parents, is learning to live without them regardless. I tend to find myself always trying to fill some type of emptiness within my heart. Quincy Ford, you made it a little bit more manageable, you stepped forward and played the role of a parent…So when I say thank you will never be enough, I don’t think you’ll ever understand.

If there’s one thing I promise to do in this life, it’s to make it, because there’s been too many times where I’ve said “Yh, I’m done now” or “This life isn’t for me anymore” but Quincy you showed me better days are yet to come. Listen, I know sometimes you feel like you’re wasting your breath and at times I feel like I don’t even deserve you, so every now and then I speak to God and I ask him “why did I receive this blessing? Out of everyone in this world, you made him my cousin! Why?” And he’s showed me over the past few years just how much I’ve needed you. Because through you I found my purpose in life.

You see the day I got my flat I was so scared, you were the first person I called. You took me to view it and right by my side, there you were as I signed those dotted lines. That same day you dropped everything and took me furniture shopping. You gave me my first paid job. Quincy, you was on the other end of the line as those tears rolled down my face, as I was ready to give up on life. And I know it’s starting to annoy you when I constantly ask to follow you to work, but that feeling is priceless! As I sit in that passenger seat, I remember every single time I had to stay at home, when my class mates went off to work with their parents.

With that being said, the impact that you’ve made mentally, is something I don’t think anyone will understand. So believe me when I say, I couldn’t have got through this stage of transitioning from a teen to a young adult without you. You made a path in my life and I promise I’m following each and every foot print.

Listen, I’d be lying if I said this has been a smooth road, I mean we’ve had our ups and downs and you’ve told me some things I’ve not agreed with or may not have liked. You’ve told me a couple home truths out of the goodness of your heart and I respect you for that, because unlike everyone else; NEVER did you lose faith in me, NEVER did you doubt me, NEVER did you stop believing. Quincy, NEVER did you give up on me!

Throughout the hardest of times in my life, you’ve always been just a phone call away, pushing me along and encouraging me to be and do the best I possibly can. When I was sent away to live in Kings Bromley (West Midlands) you were the only cousin who I regularly heard from and you were the only one who ever planned to come and visit me, that says a lot about you.

Honestly, sometimes you have to go through certain things in life to realise who’s really about seeing you grow, who really wants the best for you. Mr Ford, for all that you have done, thank you will never be enough! I just pray that one day I’ll be able to show you that all the time you spent on showing me the value of life, the meaning of love and family, and all the words of wisdom that you’ve shared wasn’t a waste of your time.

You once told me “It’s not about the cards you’ve been dealt, it’s how you play your hand. Shanelle, go and be that ace because that’s the winning card!” And may God bless you for that, because that’s what pulled me through.

Quincy, you’ve got a heart that’s so pure, a mind that’s so wise and a soul that’s beyond describable. You’re the most genuine and selfless person I’ve ever met.
I wish you nothing but the best with all that you’ve got planned in life, you’ve been winning! So, I can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned next. I pray that God continues to guide and protect you along your journey and thank you so much for making such an impact on mine. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it wasn’t for you & your support.

So YES! I WORSHIP the ground this man walks because he’s got a mind of his own and he sees more than what meets the eye. So once again thank you Quincy.

P.s I’ll love you forever Young King, Don’t you ever give up on me!