I entered this world in May of 1962, blessed to be the eldest of six siblings. Before my four sisters - Marie, Guilene, Marcelle, Merline - and my brother Gelin Jr. graced our family with their presence, our household already welcomed two special boys, Oriol and Lyonel, informally adopted by our parents. Throughout my childhood, Oriol and Lyonel became my devoted companions and mentors, guiding me and paving the way for the journey ahead.

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As the years passed, our family grew steadily, with a new sibling joining us every two to three years. Despite our humble surroundings, our home was filled with boundless happiness. Our relationships as siblings were uniquely close, and though our living space may have been limited, our hearts were boundless. During those formative years, our devoted grandmother, Anna Rene (Gran n Deba), cared for us while our parents toiled tirelessly to provide for our family of eleven.

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As with any family, life presented its share of ups and downs, yet the unwavering dedication of our parents kept us united. In a land with limited opportunities, I deeply admired their courage and determination. While material abundance eluded us, we never lacked the essentials. With simple means and profound sacrifices, they secured our well-being and nurtured us with unwavering love.

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Education presented its own unique challenges, and during that time, I found myself harboring feelings of resentment towards my father. I even attributed some of my academic setbacks to the frequent transitions between different schools, sometimes attending two schools within a single year. However, as I matured, I came to a realization that my father was doing his best with the limited resources available to him, striving to enhance my educational opportunities. This understanding came to me later in life, and I began to appreciate his determination and efforts in improving my educational environment.

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In 1974, my father's dream came true, offering our family the opportunity to settle in the United States. While his departure brought mixed emotions, it was clear that his decision was fueled by his desire to provide us with a better future. With limited opportunities in Haiti, he sought better prospects in a distant land. As the eldest, I understood the weight of his sacrifice and gradually came to accept his choice.

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After my father left, my mother remained in Haiti, but my uncontrollable behavior made it challenging for her to take care of me alone. Consequently, my father entrusted my guardianship to my aunt, Elda Cange (Sr Marie Maude Cange), who was a nun in a religious order. This arrangement was intended to ease the burdens on my mother, who faced the immense responsibility of caring for the other five children while our father embarked on his journey. 

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During that summer, my aunt took me under her care and enrolled me in a boarding school, while my four sisters were placed in a boarding school outside the city in Vieux-Boug d'Aquin. This left my mother with my youngest brother, Gelin Jr., who was just a newborn at the time. Although the physical distance was difficult, life at the boarding school introduced me to a world of new experiences. I formed new friendships and enjoyed a more stable educational environment. Despite the temporary separation, I adapted and made the most of the situation life had presented to me.

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In less than two years after my father moved to the United States, plans were made for my mother to join him in Stamford, CT. As a result, my younger brother was placed with a family friend in Petion-Ville. Our family then became scattered in various directions. Nevertheless, our aunt, Elda Cange (Sr Marie Maude), who acted as our legal guardian, made every effort to ensure we received the best possible care. Despite facing difficult living situations at times, she remained dedicated to our well-being while fulfilling her religious duties.

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In 1977, my cousins Monia and her two younger brothers arrived in Haiti under the guardianship of our aunt, bringing immense joy to the boarding school where I was studying. The following year, during one of my aunt's visits, she excitedly informed me about her plan to arrange for me and my brother to spend the summer with our parents in the United States. The news filled me with excitement as all the necessary documents were quickly prepared, and soon enough, we found ourselves boarding a flight to the United States, eagerly looking forward to a memorable summer with our parents.

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However, upon my return to Haiti in 1979, I faced an immensely trying year. After spending the entire Summer of 1978 with my parents, readjusting to the school system proved challenging, leading to misbehavior and odd behaviors that tested my aunt's patience. Consequently, she made the tough decision to send me back to the U.S. at the end of the school year, marking the beginning of my permanent stay in the U.S. and a new chapter in my life.

Enrolled in high school, I swiftly found my place within the educational system, but my parents' dedication to work left me without proper guidance as a newcomer in this foreign land. Despite my passion for soccer and aspirations for a scholarship, my dad's disapproval of after-school practices and programs led me to give up the sport, causing me to harbor resentment towards him for many years.

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Nonetheless, I persevered through high school and eventually graduated in 1982. The days leading up to my graduation were made even more special as my siblings joined me in the U.S. During the following year, I decided to pursue Accounting and Business Administration at Westchester Business Institute. However, the daily commute from Connecticut to New York became increasingly difficult, leading me to leave during my second semester. Subsequently, I opted to attend a local Community College, which offered a more convenient commute. Unfortunately, financial constraints made it difficult to continue my studies, forcing me to face a pivotal moment and make a tough decision. Ultimately, I chose to go to work and accepted an offer as a restaurant manager. The next year, I enrolled at Sacred Heart University part time to pursue my studies in marketing.

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In 1989, a significant turning point occurred when my father returned from a week-long vacation in Florida, passionately sharing the abundant opportunities and quality of life in the Sunshine State. His words captivated me, igniting a strong desire for change. Within just two weeks, I packed my belongings and embarked on a vacation to Florida. After spending a week exploring this sunny paradise, I courageously made a life-changing decision and chose to establish permanent roots in Florida.

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For a year and a half, I lived alone in Florida until I received the exhilarating news that my family was planning to join me. In the fall of that year, my sisters, brother, and mom moved to Florida, while my dad stayed back temporarily. However, life in Florida presented challenges, and the once-strong family bond started to weaken, leading me to embark on a personal quest for inner peace.

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Today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the influential figures who have left indelible imprints on my being. My parents have been steadfast pillars of support and love throughout my life's course. Additionally, the profound impact of cousins such as Samuel Benoit, Lyonel Peltrop, Oriol Benoit, Ernest Samedi, and Pierre Exantus, among others, has been transformative. Their unwavering presence and guidance have played instrumental roles in shaping the person I have become, and for their influence, I will be eternally thankful.

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Throughout my life, I have firmly held the belief that living a purposeful life should be the ultimate aspiration for every individual. In 2001, a pivotal moment occurred when I met Wanda Torres, who became my life partner. As with all couples, we dealt with the inevitable ups and downs that come with any relationship. Despite my profound love for children, I consciously chose not to have any. After more than 20 years together and with parenthood not being a priority at my age, I shifted my focus towards finding my spiritual path and establishing a deeper connection with my roots. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose, I am devoted to weaving a tapestry of unity and harmony within our family connections.

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As I pause to contemplate my journey thus far, I am humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude. This transformative journey has led me to seek unity and harmony within our family connections. I intend to keep this account as a permanent record for future generations, and I will continue to update it with any new developments.