A Brother

My dear brother and amazing friend who I’ve known for 15+ years has turned 65 today. I honestly couldn’t believe it when I realized his age—perhaps because the years have never seemed to define the person he is. I was blessed to catch up with him over the phone today, and as always, one thing you immediately notice—or simply feel in his presence—is his humble heart. It’s almost as if he doesn’t know any other way to be. He is sincere, honest, loving, compassionate, and deeply humble. These qualities aren’t something he puts on; they seem to be woven into who he is. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate not just the friendship we share, but the kind of person he is—a man whose character speaks louder than words.

He was very ecstatic to receive my call and greeted me with a huge, “Hellooo, Brother!” There was no way around it—I could practically see the smile on his face from the other side of the call. If you don’t know the story, you can read it on my home page by clicking on the “PDX” link. Despite the setbacks life has given us both, we’ve become great friends. I felt a deep sense of compassion for him when we first met in California. Over the years, we’ve reminisced about the fun times we shared, talked about the incredible 100+ pounds he lost entirely on his own, and discussed the multiple surgeries he endured just to regain his mobility. I’ve invited him to my home for Christmas a couple of times so we could share a warm meal and enjoy some good times with my whole family. He got to know my mom and dad really well, and I could tell how much that meant to him. He was incredibly appreciative, and I was happy to have him with us—to share our traditions, our food, and to give him a glimpse into how we Mexicans celebrate the holidays.

He was telling me about a few setbacks with his car repairs that had put a damper on this year. He had spent so much money and felt like he had been taken advantage of. One repair led to another, and before long, the engine light came on. Another repair led to overheating, which caused his trip to be cut short. But as he shared all of this with me, I was struck by how humble he remained. He never shouted or showed any signs of bitterness. He didn’t dwell on the problems or let them bring him down. Instead, he knew how to face each challenge, learn from it, and move on to the next thing that could help him in the long run.

This man is an exceptional human being. Not only has he faced life with a disability, but he has also made the effort to volunteer in different places, helping communities affected by natural disasters. I’ve only been on one mission trip, but this guy has sacrificed and given so much more.

I’m truly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him and, even more, to call him my brother.

Thank you, Mark, for being an example of humility, perseverance, and selflessness.

Happy birthday, brother!