We spent lunch with our Dad today… and I realized something significant after discussing this “joke” text my dad sent me:
I pray for you to be blessed with the strength of Samson, the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, the faith of Abraham, the courage of David, and the money of Gen. Garcia
Hehehehe
Anyways, it turns out that our Lolo (God bless his soul) had the exact same position during his days (a bunch of years ago).
I guess I have a newfound respect for my mother’s dad – he was living proof of a man who retained his integrity even if he was in such a position of influence.
My mom and I we’re discussing about it over dinner and she told me that he had once argued with Lola, when Lola (God bless her soul) was envious of their neighbors, or peers’ affluence. Mom said, he simply said this:
I could give all that to you too – but at the cost of destroying my name.
That was the last time they ever argued about anything money-related I heard. Such a touching story. And I’m ashamed to admit that if I were put in a similar position, I really don’t know if I can be a straight arrow. Hearing a story like that really inspires me to be a really good person.
Of course this inspiration may only last a few days hehehe. But seriously, isn’t it amazing? You go Lolo! If that doesn’t guarantee a person a ticket to Heaven – I don’t know what the hell does!
Anyways, the same topic also made obvious how “corrupt” government corruption actually is. Our family obviously had a first-hand witnessing of how much “pay” there is in the government – through Lolo. We never saw our mom’s side as “rich.” And that whole issue of Gen. Garcia makes it glaringly obvious of how much potential revenue Lolo Pete had “given up,” because of his honesty.
I have my beef with relatives from my mom’s side of the family – a long story. But realizations such as this make me proud to have Javier blood.