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News Details
Mike Tomasulo, 2006 Daniels Scholar, Recalls the Life of His Friend and Mentor
Daniel Isaac Mares Touched Many Lives, Will Be Remembered
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Michael Tomasulo, a 2006 Daniels Scholar, wrote the following reflection in memory of his friend and mentor Daniel Isaac Mares, who died recently at a young age.
My name is Michael Tomasulo and I am a 2006 Daniels Scholar. Throughout my life, I have had to endure many hardships and circumstances. Some of these circumstances, I wish I could have changed. But, I believe that all things happen for a reason and because of that belief, I wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything.
In 1997, at the age of 9, I met Daniel Isaac Mares; he was 8. You see, Daniel introduced me to a world that I had never known before. I was a rebellious kid who came from a broken home, didn’t understand what a real family unit was and I never had a father figure to help guide my life. I was being raised by a single mother, in a very rough housing situation, with three older brothers.
What started out as friendship, between Daniel and I, quickly developed into a brotherhood. Daniel and I became inseparable. I initially met Daniel at the New Life Worship Center (NLWC) church in Federal Heights, CO. Daniel was the youngest son of Leonard/Teresa Mares, Children’s Pastors at NLWC. After spending every weekend at the Mares’ home for approximately 2-1/2 years, I was given the opportunity to move in with Daniel and his family just as I was about to enter High School. I had never had the experience of having the family bills paid, having food in the refrigerator or just experiencing any type of stability. Over the years, as our relationship continued to develop, I watched Daniel and I change from boys to young men. Daniel had a passion for life and nature. He taught me so many things. On October 21, 2009, Daniel, my brother at age 20, went unexpectedly to his ultimate resting place in Heaven. Had I never met Daniel, I’m not sure where my path would have led me or where I would be today.
Daniel had many of the same attributes that were similar to those of Bill Daniels. For example; my brother had a lot of friends within the Hmong community. A lot of the Hmong communities keep company with only their own race, very rarely letting outsiders in. My brother was able to gain access to that culture and encourage some of his closest friends to stay on track and obtain their diplomas and/or GED’s. My brother had every race and ethnicity come through our house. If someone was having issues at home and needed a place to stay so they could get to school, Daniel would always open our home and help them out. Daniel coached his 17 year old friend, who had a child, how to become a great father and be responsible with his daughter. He also taught a man in his early 30’s how to be a better father, husband and worker. He even gave him his first Bible.
I have always wanted to provide opportunities for others and I believe my brother did that. He accomplished more in his short 20 years than most people do in a lifetime. I want to honor him with my actions, not just words. Daniel had an appreciation for life that carried over into me. He would never harm or kill anything in nature. He was loved by everyone who knew him. His personality attracted people like a magnet would. He was a man of integrity, like Bill Daniels was. He wouldn’t allow you to influence him or make him do something he didn’t believe in or didn’t want to do. His life has encouraged me to live worthy and to pay my dues.
Daniel could communicate with people in ways that would leave your speechless; he was intelligent and brilliant, always researching to understand the facts. He taught me that opportunities are few and far between. I am in college now because of Daniel and am ready to graduate and take on the world! Without Daniel, I never would have had half of the opportunities that I’ve been given. I would have never know what a true family is, what genuine love between a family is and never would have received the encouragement that he gave me.
Because Daniel created a legacy just by being who he was, he created a legacy like Bill Daniels. The legacy may have a different image, but when the time is over, the legacy will continue to change and impact the world in a positive way and create something beautiful for those who have yet to come.