Yo soy Toro

Toro, Del Toro, not just a name but an entity. What does it mean to be Del Toro, to be of the bull?

Well, think of the bull in a fight in the ring, everything in his entire life has led up to this moment and the one that proceeds. Unafraid steps are boldly made to face whatever lay ahead, he focuses on the red and then he charges.

With great passion and purpose he moves forward towards what’s for him. Metaphorically, impossible dreams, ambition, love and destiny. On this journey, he goes not worried about that which is inevitable but instead focuses with a clear conscious of what he’s capable of and goes.

No stopping and only slowing down to turn around and finish what he began. The fight against the man, the banderilleros, picadores and the matador, all of this is life. And life is there to put on a show, the friend and the foe, ready to go toe to toe with no holding back, so, continue with the attack.

Each pass becomes the past and these are the elements and evidence of what he’ll be remembered for when he's got nothing left. Death will not be his end, he'll instead become a legend. For he will defend his right to live even though it is not given.

Taking matters into his own hands, the bull by the horns, like thorns, ready to pierce, ready to gore, will be one source of full force stampede, pouring all that he is into the frenzy. The crowd will roar and bull blood will pour but the bull will not wonder of what it is all for.

And just like the bull, I’ll keep moving forward, I am of the bull, yo soy Del Toro

I was born with the apellido Del Toro, passed down from generations of my family from Mexico, printed on my birth certificate, my mother, Maria’s maiden name, my dad was not present to put his. Yo soy Toro, just the same.

I am a veteran of the United States army, there we only use rank and last names, I wore a name tape that would display it and I was always proud to say it. I am SSG Del Toro, A.

Throughout my life, on my dads side, my Grandpa, Papa Chico took me in and my great-grandma, Mama Ora helped me become a young man. For them, I added Higgins with a hyphen to Del Toro, to also carry their generation. So Del Toro became Del Toro-Higgins.

As seen, the significance is deep and important but more than anything it is metaphorically me, an entity and an almost alter ego. Sometimes a beast must be tamed but also must be let go, out, free and able. A bull untamed, a true Toro.

Soy yo, a man that has had to fight his whole life, born into stife, almost dying so many times. Serving a country I believe in to keep its freedoms alive. Becoming more than myself so others could survive. If only in a name, in an action I could take, I could fight for whats right or with the only choice I could make.

Del, “of the”, to be or not, see or walk blindly without light, maybe there, might will be, strength, unseen, faith believed. Blood will bleed, leave the body, just as the soul to destinations unknown or told. Toro, soy yo, I am of the bull and sometimes the bull, a bull able.

Toro, you hold the weight to entertain, for those that see your death in the afternoon as the highlight of their day. No shame, a culture in history and tradition but what’s different is you are not seen the same. Though I have my own reasons, though it is my name, I am of you and you are of me and and I pray we shall be the one who who’ve won someday.

Yo soy Toro, Del Toro.