Tag Archives: David

Day 304: David, Rosalba,and Family

4 Feb

Rosalba and David

We met David and his family many years ago when he worked with us as a line cook.  If you know anything about working in a kitchen you’ll know what I mean when I say that one of the reasons that we loved having David on our team was because he was not easily upset.  The heat of the kitchen can do crazy things to a person but somehow David’s temperament was such that he was able to maintain an even keel no matter what happened.  That’s a rare trait in a line cook… heck, that’s a rare trait in most any profession!

David is now living outside of Guadalajara with his wife, Rosalba, and his daughter Miriam.  Since he knew we would be in Mexico, he made arrangements to visit us here in Barra de Navidad this weekend and in addition to Miriam and Rosalba he brought his older daughter, Maria, and her baby, Jasmine.

David, Rosalba, Jasmine, Miriam, Maria, Karen

This morning we went to Melaque, which is located about 5 miles south of Barra.  We sat under an umbrella at one of the restaurants on the beach and spent the day swimming in the surf and enjoying the amazingly beautiful weather.

This evening we let David select the place for us all to eat and he chose a taco stand near the jardin (central garden).  After a sumptuous meal, I asked the waiter to please bring out the Coconut Cream pie I had given him when we arrived.  It was in celebration of seeing David and his family once again – and honoring friendships that can cross cultures and and transcend language barriers.  I am very grateful for the gifts that they bring.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” — Anais Nin

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Day 284: Rachel and Mike

15 Jan

A few months ago I wrote about a young man from our small town who was the victim of a violent homicide.   His name was David and he was only twenty-three years old. As a parent of two young adults I felt deeply moved by this tragedy and my heart ached for David’s parents.   As a small gesture I sent a quiche to his Mother and offered my condolences on the loss of her son.

At this point in time, the killer has not yet been found.  And somehow the residents of Ashland try to go about doing what they have always done while living with the knowledge that they aren’t as safe as they had once thought.  And, of course, for David’s parents, life will never be the same.

Recently I was told about a couple who are friends of David’s Mother.  For the past few months they have been helping her get through the most difficult time of her life.   I am very grateful that she was able to count on them for the help and support that she needed and hope they realize what a comfort they have been to her.   Today I brought them a Dutch Apple Pie to thank them for the gift of their friendship.    My hope is that we will all have friends like this when we most need them.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing… not healing, not curing… that is a friend who cares.”  Henri Nouwen

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