Uncle Helio the Great One!
by Carlos Machado – www.myspace.com/carlosmachadojiujitsu
UNCLE HELIO GRACIE PASSES AWAY ON JANUARY 29TH!.
Martial Arts is an activity that often reflects the real challenges
individuals face in real life, and allows them to forge traits of
character awfully needed to succeed in any area. The self-discipline,
the commitment to grow despite setbacks, the overcoming of challenges
on the physical and mental arena, the lessons learned on a daily basis,
that always tell us we still have room for growth, more space to
improve the warrior and the man.
Uncle Helio Gracie was definitely
someone who challenged himself at every aspect, despite many obstacles
which would severely limit any other human being, like his fragile body
and precarious health at the time he was a teen, just starting to get
into the art of Jiu-Jitsu, more as a way to grow healthier than
anything else.
As it often happens, the ones people expect the
least end up surpassing everyone’s wildest expectations. Nobody could
foresee that that young and fragile teenager would become the legendary
Master
who adjusted a martial art to his needs, and in doing so created
a whole new system of fighting and self defense that swept the world of
martial arts like a hurricane. By building the foundation of Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu, and a dynasty on his own right, with a prolific family,
Uncle Helio went further into the pages of history than many would ever
dream of.
It is common place to read about Eastern tales of
Masters and Gurus, who instill knowledge and almost magical powers into
their disciples. Uncle Helio was not a work of fiction, but a real
life Legend. For the ones fortunate enough to get to know and share
some time with him, consider that a blessing, for the ones who could
only learn from him through his family and successive generations,
consider that a blessing as well. Jiu-Jitsu has changed the lives of
myself and everyone in my family, and also of all the students we were
able to reach. Each of us is indebted to the knowledge and example
learned from this Great Master. To that extent we are also thankful to
all the generations of the Gracie Family who followed Uncle Helio.
They took the torch and carried it on from the beaches of Rio to
everywhere in the World. What a revolution!
I mourn the loss of such a human being. I send my deepest condolences to all his children, and to the entire Gracie Family.
The comfort I have is to know that among many things in his life, Uncle
Helio was able to fulfill his mission to the last breath. The legacy
is now spread among his many children and relatives, who in their own
way will honor the memory of a Master who made history in his 95 years
of existence.
THANK YOU, UNCLE HELIO, FOR YOUR SELFLESS GIVING AND
COMMITMENT TO MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE. YOUR INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
WILL LIVE IN OUR MEMORIES AND HEARTS!
REST IN PEACE!
CARLOS MACHADO.
www.myspace.com/carlosmachadojiujitsu
