Jose left El Salvador in the jungle moon night after the Sandinistas killed his father defending a houseful of family. Because Jose was next on the list.
So he followed a dark river into Guatemala, then a trail of every dime saved from any job available, To Washington D.C. and finally to Chicago where on this July 4th he pulled his landscaping truck up under the tree lined street in front of my house.
Started unloading to do the triple lot a few doors down. Alone on the street I said, “Looks like you’re working today,” and we started to talk. He had a story being a baker’s assistant left to make bread without anyone telling him how that was punctuated by a laugh and smile with an untapped power that could make the world join hands.
I brought out some water and Gatorade but when my wife brought out the just baked blueberry crumble and ice cream, to which he nodded and smiled “Sure!” we were gifted again with his stories. I asked if he knew anyone looking for work. Told him the story of the day laborer recognizing the song and finding work from my book—then I gave him a copy and told him to give it to whoever needed it most. He said that would be his son.
We said goodbye, my wife and I went back into our house. A moment later we heard an engine start up and watched as he swept the grass, sticks and leaves clean from our yard and walk.
And that’s how we got to celebrate the 4th of July before the barbeque even got started.
Photo Credit www.hellotravel.com