This story is not fiction.
He was originally from Honduras and is now fifteen years of age. It was a freak accident. He was seven years old in his “home” country and reached for an electrical wire high above the makeshift kitchen sink that brought dim light into his home. As he touched the wire, he felt pulses through his body…. A storm as he calls it.
Grandpa stood up and heaved his body at him. They both fell.
Grandfather passed. Heart Failure. Immediately.
The boy lived.
The small Honduran community came together. Tears, food, prayer. Tears, more food, more prayer. Some collected money- others just kept on praying.
This teen would tell me his story in broken English and Spanish. He was diligent in trying his best to learn the complicated English verbiage. I listened.
Before all of this “ el lio” (mess), as he calls it, he had a family that lived together. He told me -“Mi vida era hermosa”- (My life was beautiful).
Mamá y papá y abuelo. Mother, Father, and Grandfather.
“La tormenta en mi cuerpo cambio todo.”
“The storm in my body changed everything.”
The name Honduras has its origin in the Spanish language. Roughly translated it means “depths”. This country in Central America is surrounded by deep, abundant, beautiful waters. These marine resources contribute to the sustenance of its people. Within the fishing villages, a large catch brings pride and status to an individual and their community. Pride is revered.
Grandfather was a fisherman. Every few days there would be fresh fish to eat. Tuna, Grouper, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi. He fished from the north side of the island -three maybe four days a week- with his “ancianos” (old men) friends. They would feed their “familias” (families) and sell much of the remainder of the catch. Some days they would even make “lo que equivale a $ 1.25 dinero de los Estados Unidos” (what amounts to $1.25 in the United States). That was what grandfather called “un buen puto día” ( a good fxxxing day).
When younger, Grandfather and his “ancianos” (old men) friends often caught Blue Marlin and O “los cuentos que pudieron” ( the tales they could tell! ).
“Padre trabajo construyendo cosas.” (Papa worked building things.) He worked all the time as there was much to build. Everywhere people needed his help and he was always happy to give it. “Sus manos estaban ásperas y sangraban todo el tiempo. La madre les puso crema ardiente para ayudar a sanar, pero él le gritaba y luego se bebía el whisky.” (His hands were rough and bleeding all the time. Mama put burning cream on them to help heal, but he would yell at her — then drink the whiskey.)
“Mama trabaja manteniendo la casa.” (Mother worked keeping the house.) She used to sing about the flowers all of the time. Humming songs to herself even while she was talking to friends. She shared “cocinar cosas” (cooking things) with neighbors and smiled all the time. “Ella tenía una amplia sonrisa y solíamos reír.” (She had a wide smile and we used to laugh.) “Ella no tiene muchos dientes.” (She does not have many teeth.)
Again he said, “La tormenta en mi cuerpo cambio todo.”
“The storm in my body changed everything.”
“Ves profesora, en febrero comence las escuela en Honduras.” (You see teacher, in February I started school in Honduras).
“Estaba haciendo mis cartas en la cocina no habia suficiente luz lo recuerdo.” (I was doing my letters in the kitchen and there was not enough light.)
“Recuerdo que todos lloraron duante meses tal ves anos y luego el avian.” (I remember all the crying for months, maybe years and then the airplane.) “Ahora vengo a estar contigo.” (Now, I come to be with you.)
“Padre se fue, fue su padre el que murio.” (Father left, it was his father that passed.) “Mama lloro.” (Mother cried.)
“Lo veo Instagram en Honduras. Madre quiere traerlo aqui las cosas estan mejor aqui.” ( I see him on Instagram in Honduras. Mother wants to get him here, it is better here.” )— then he whispers in broken English to me… “maybe if he comes, she will sing about the flowers again.”
Present-day truth. He is strong, wise, and funny. He inspires. He attends a school in the United States and was given two prosthetic legs by a New York University program. He awaits an arm prosthetic. Limited learning disability and minimal brain damage are a daily reminder of the electrical storm his young body endured.
This adolescent’s sense of humor would rival any comedian. His eager attitude to attend occupational and physical therapy twice each week during the summer school day is admired by me alone. Few know of him yet. He is a new incoming student. On the cusp are his unforgettable teen school years. His infectious positive attitude on the very edge of transforming people’s lives. He has no idea. No one has any idea. The true secrets of his indelible inspiration are about to unfold within the next month. A new chapter entitled “Secretly Inspiring Others” begins.
When speaking with him, I hear him say that his life is still bringing tears and prayers. He has fifteen, impressionable young years on this planet. The spiritual candor of this young man has impacted my life with grace and thanksgiving. I am happy to share this true story. If we all only had a piece of his daily perseverance, attitude, humor and strength our appreciation for the simple things in life would manifest a hundredfold.
We have a secret in this small community where I reside. It will not be a secret much longer as school starts up again in September. A new beginning and a transformation for us all. This young man’s journey creates a journey- unknowingly- for us.
Postscript:
OMG — he asked me today “ Puedao unirme al equipo de futbol?” ( Can I join the soccer team?)
Oh, YES young man. You sure can!
What a life. What a life.