A Man Who Believes He Has It All - Visitor's Story

by Stephanie
(United States)

It was a typical hot summer morning at Lake Downey, when I started my first day of work as a lifeguard. I sat on a stand and carefully scanned the waters. Not long after I began my shift, a man sitting at a picnic table on the far left side caught my eye. He sat under a large shady tree while listening to music coming from an old boom box. His dark complexion, long dark hair and a lengthy beard made him easily noticeable.

Day after day, I noticed his presence and quickly caught on to his daily routine. The clock strikes 10:30 am just when he arrives riding his black rusty bike. The man grasps the brown beaded rosary around his neck, looks up at the heavens, and then whispers "Thank you God", kisses the cross and sits back to enjoy nature's beauty. After an entire summer of being around this man I can say I know him well and above all, his kind heart.

This fifty-four year old man goes by the name of Jose, a homeless man and local to Downey Park (a public recreational park located in the Orlando area). He is kind and helpful to all the park visitors, and is always ready to help when someone is in need. Jose was born in Puerto Rico. In his early twenties, a water moccasin bit his leg and the only place where he could have surgery was in the United States, forcing him to move to our country. After being hospitalized for weeks and nearly having his right leg amputated, Jose managed to recover. One day while walking on a port he noticed a small boat that had been abandoned. This boat became his home. Everyday Jose swam a mile just to get to shore and made friends with all of the locals. He managed to make money from odd jobs helping around the town. Locals liked Jose so much they threw a party for him and each one invited put in some money. With this cash, Jose bought a one way train ticket to the sunshine state, Florida where he had always dreamed of visiting. He has lived here since then.

Today, the place Jose calls home is a shack he built himself in the woods about two miles from Downey Park. "What about when it rains?" I asked Jose one day. "Then wet I get!" he replied with a smile. Jose made his own television out of the battery of a car, finds all of the clothes he wears, and makes his own medicine from various leaves and flowers. His lunch diet is regularly a branch with leaves and a cup of water. Years ago a pigeon flew by and happened to land on a branch. The bird began to eat of the tree. Jose said, "Humans are like animals!" and ever since then he has been eating from trees. Jose, above all of this, is still the most joyful person I have ever met in my life. A smile is always on his face, "but Why?" I used to ask myself. Until one day, he answered my question himself.

"Look up at the sky," he said, "see the birds?" "Yes of course Jose," I said, starring at two black birds on the vast blue background. "God created them and everything on this earth, he created you. I give thanks to God because I have everything that I need, my life and his love. I have it all." Right then, I understood. The only way I could explain how I felt at that moment is with this analogy. Years ago I wanted a pair of shoes that everyone had. Nothing could have satisfied me more than owning a pair. I headed to the mall in hope of buying my shoes, and as I walked to the store I saw a man with no legs. I no longer wanted the shoes. I realized I have always had what I needed. Jose might not have much in this material world but only God can judge how rich he truly is at heart. "The Lord weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:2)

There is a roof over our head, food waiting for us on a plate, clothes for everyday of the week, and a book in our hands to read. Even during our hard time, there is someone wishing to be in our shoes. We complain about insignificant issues; yet never sit back and think about the lives others have led.

Everyday we wake, God gifts us with the opportunity to live once again, the biggest blessing of all. You are luckier than you think.

Be grateful. You have it all.