More Friends

John and Rosa are friends from the neighborhood. John is a very interesting man because he is a walking contradiction. He has considerable talents in a pragmatic, artistic sort of way. His listening skills barely overtake a knack for speaking directly without offending. He is empathetic without being ridiculously mushy and wise without being cold. John can be comfortably absorbed into any group, no matter how hostile, without giving one inch of principle. He and his family have experienced their share of turmoil, as have we all. Even so, he passes around optimism as though he grew it in his back yard.

I have great respect and admiration for John. He does those unsung hero things we should all do. He donates platelets for cancer patients. He shares his architectural knowledge. He helps neighbors deal with the homeowners association. He takes on neighborhood kids like projects, helping their parents in big and small ways. I may not often catch John doing his hero thing but I can clearly see where he has been.

Rosa, John’s wife, exemplifies the pure power of faith as well as anyone I have ever known. She is intensely maternal, moral, and astute to the ways of the world. A finance professional by education and experience, she recently gave up the corporate life to become an elementary school teacher. Rosa apparently intimidated a weak, petty principal who caused some trouble for her. That principal made a terrible mistake. Rosa believes in her students and vocation. She does not fear autocrats driven by ego. I have never seen her pick a fight but have not known her to walk away from her commitments, either. When asked about it, she seems strangely nonchalant because she knows with absolute certainty that outcomes are in God’s hands. She will quietly do the job assigned with grace and good humor.