I met Jose on the beach of Puerto Vallarta. He was playing in the waves and everytime it knocked him over he would pop up from the water laughing. He had a great smile. He was small, a few inches shorter than me and probably 20 lbs lighter. Except for the height he was my ideal weight. But hey, I'm trying.
He looked 15, but insisted that he was 19. The "legal" age in Mexico is 18 but it seemed every young looking kid there was 19, not 18, not 20 always 19.
As I got up to leave, he followed me up the beach. He ran and caught up with me and told me his name, his age and that he was hungry and would do anything for some food. I bought him 2 tacos on the beach and went back to my hotel.
That night I saw Jose again at Frida's my favorite bar. He came up to me and offered me a sex act for food. I told him I'd buy him some food. Right there in the bar, he got on his knees and started to pull my pants down. "No, Jose get up" I demanded. I bent down and picked him back up. "No sex" I tell him. He starts to cry. "No, it's OK, I will get you food". He then smiled. I went out in the street and bought him some food. He ate the tacos and I told him to go home. He told me his parents had died and he had no home. He lived on the beach!
Every day I was there I'd make sure he had something to eat. On my last day, I'm sitting on the beach and a guy I'd never seen before comes running up to me and says my friend Jose needs me and to bring my towel. It seems a big wave had knocked him down and his oversized basket ball shorts had fallen off and disappeared in the tide.
I went into the water and wrapped the towel around him. He was crying. I took him up to the bars bathroom where he showered. I went and got his only possessions. A little plastic bag that had a shirt and jeans. He had no shoes.
I had brought 2 swimming suits and a pair of flip flops. I went back to my hotel and brought the extra suit a tshirt and my flip flops. I gave them to Jose.
I can't judge what Jose does or has to do to survive. But I can be grateful that for 4 days he could take a break. He didn't have to worry about food. I learned a lot from this little boy. He had absolutely nothing, yet he was happy, he could laugh, and he had friends. I think about the many times, I'm feeling blue and crying . I always joke that my life is pathetic. Then I usually put a LOL (Laugh Out Loud for those unfamiliar with the new talk) afterwards. But after meeting Jose I realize my life isn't pathetic, I'm pathetic. How dare me feel sorry for myself. We take a lot for granted, but in reality there's a lot more people in the world like Jose than there are like you and me.
Until Next Time - Wise OUT
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5 comments:
Ricky-poo, you are truly a very kind-hearted soul and you should allow yourself to appreciate your good qualities, which are many!!
How many people would have taken advantage of Jose, yet you didn't. In fact, you were so very good to him. So let yourself see and acknowledge the goodness in yourself! We all do! :)
Sounds like quite a sobering thing to meet someone so poor and down on luck. Thanks for the story.
In my humble opinion, this is your best blog to date! You show sensitivity and insight that I always knew was in you (and I've known you for many years). Transition, Ricky. That's what you are experiencing right mow. Keep your focus on the world around you and you will come to know yourself even more than before. Much luck.
loved reading this posting. and I agree with everything "toofless granny" "you need to see and acknowledge the goodness in yourself" and I'll leave you with this. Happiness is not something you get it's something you are. Happiness isn't having whatever you want. It's WANTING whatever YOU HAVE. If you learn to enjoy life and see goodness and learn to smile even in the most difficult of circumstances. Then you'll be able to feel happy no matter what; and just imagine how blessed you'll feel when life goes well.
Sincerely your friend
Jay.
That story sends a profound message Rick. It is sad that we are all so oblivious to what some people deal with every day. Meanwhile we are pissed off that there are 4 cars in front of us in the Starbucks drive-thru, making us late to the "it only happens twice a year sale" at IKEA.
Thanks for sharing.
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