Gerardo, with his smile and strength, has given me a life lesson. I hear daily complaints, laments, and all kinds of negativities in people who have everything, and I'm not just referring to material things, but to health.
The path was narrow, and the heat accompanied us at all times that day, dodging the stones so I wouldn't fall. I only had the hero in front of me in my thoughts, without any complaint. His illness did not prevent him from moving forward, quite the opposite.
His strength and determination were admirable, he looked at us with that smile that spoke for itself. He lives in Guatiza in his house, surrounded by lace and threads, because he still finds more strength to sew, real recycled wonders. He showed me those well-made seams, explained his technique of dyeing clothes, and my mind was racing, trying to sort out what was happening there. I felt tiny in the face of such greatness of person.
Just like what happened when I left my son's orphanage, today I felt that déjà vu again, where I promised not to complain anymore about frivolities. Once again, I bow my head and humbly follow the path.
Wanting is power, but with Gerardo, the phrase is embroidered. His fragile legs and hands become an armed army in the battle of his day to day.
The power of will tells us that nothing is impossible when determination is indomitable; train our brain. According to Goleman, it is estimated that 80% of success in life is due to emotional intelligence, but Gerardo, you also have the other 20%. More than willpower, it is a motivated effort.
Reading Seligman's book, which studies the strengths of the human being, today I saw VALOR personified.
You're not weird, Juani, you're different, he told me when he heard the conversation we were having. A Psychology manual becomes obsolete if they know him. His eyes shine because he is happy with what he does; it comforts him to have a sewing machine with a serger. The threads of his seams carry good love. Guatiza should not only feel proud of that wonderful Cactus Garden, but also of that great human being who lives in that town. Let's learn from them, from the anonymous ones who are true wild boars, let's leave selfishness behind and be more humble, let's enjoy the little things, because we never know when they will end.
For me, it is a very great gift and a great dose of humility to have met this fighter. I thank that person who put us on the same path.
It is true that they label me as weird because I prefer to be close to the most vulnerable; than to people who do not contribute, each one chooses with whom and how they feel better. It's not valid to say there's no age or with your age, you can't, that's an excuse to justify what it costs us to do. Let's love each other more and keep in mind that commitment to life, that great gift that our parents gave us.
Thank you both for making me feel so happy and full. That Universe came together so that I could meet you at the hand of that great companion on the road. It is admirable to people who fight and follow the road less traveled.
Juani Alemán Hernández.
