I watched

As people mocked him and laughed at him.

I watched

As the ones closest to him did him wrong.

I watched

As those who he loved were taken from this world.

I watched

As life threw countless obstacles at his feet.

I watched

As he was beaten badly.

I watched

As his salty tears invaded his open bloody cuts.

More importantly…

I watched

As he shrugged off the laughter of those who mocked him.

I watched

As he continued to do right even though others did him wrong.

I watched

As he mourned the loss of his loved ones and then moved on.

I watched

As he painstakingly traversed every obstacle laid before him.

I watched

As he proudly stood up after every beating, never yielding, never submitting.

I watched

As he wiped the salty blood-filled tears from his face and smiled.

Most Importantly…

I watched

As he became a man.