The Toughest Kid I Know
He's not a weight lifter
Or boxer
Or business tycoon.
Heck, he probably doesn't have $10 in his pocket.
He's just an 18-year-old-kid to most folk,
Shy and soft-spoken.
But I will assure you-
This kid has more guts than just about anybody you will meet.
Let me tell you about him....
Mom and dad are illegals, and do not speak English.
He grew up a little boy isolated by language and social barriers.
Because of rent evictions, shuffled around to various schools and residences,
Exposed to gang culture from early age,
Numerous fights and altercations.
Dad left his family in abject poverty, hides so as not to pay child support.
Forced to be de-facto parent to three siblings.
Father tells him You're a loser. You'll not amount to anything!
Dad’s friends laugh at him-
Often no food in the house,
No internet,
No phone.
Neighborhood crime ridden-
School with highest dropout rate in the County
The odds were stacked against him, and...
Not too long ago he almost gave in.
He needed for somebody to care.
To care.
Just a little…
Now he is on his way to beating the odds.
And along this journey he has earned my respect
By showing more fortitude than anybody I have known.
Two days ago my wife and I stood, with eyes riveted upon a stage
And watched this extraordinary young man…
Receive his High School diploma! Way to go, Alfredo!
(Alfredo & his proud mom)
05.23.09 (8:45 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
tampi (
reply)
post date:
05.23.09 (7:37 pm)
hope that others read this and appreciate the efforts and the hard work the lad has done ,what i always say what you sow ......
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
05.24.09 (6:06 am)
God still keeps working in mysterious ways, unknown to us, and touching lives with Grace. Amazes me constantly, but then, I think that we are SUPPOSED to be amazed!! Congratulations to him and I hope you are helping him to get scholarships and admitted to college?
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
05.24.09 (1:19 pm)
Nice to see the young man persevere against the odds.
posted by:
Ladyg (
reply)
post date:
05.24.09 (11:50 pm)
I love this kind of story, thanks for sharing.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.25.09 (7:11 pm)
Reply to: tampi
Life is not fair. It's just a fact, and Alfredo is evidence. But, he has persevered. Sometimes that's the best you can do. However, the story of his life is far from over. Same I think for all of us. We go through seasons when life hits us hard. Persevere, don't quit, and usually something much better will come along.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.25.09 (7:13 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
College is not for Alfredo. At least, not at this time. He has signed up for the Army, and will be leaving for Boot Camp in July. I think it is a good pathway to a better life, for him. He has got to get away from this place, to see there is a better world out there. Yes, I've helped him. But it was his quality as a person that made him stand out, that brought the attention and help his way. He is a fine young man.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.25.09 (7:14 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Yes. One does not have to be a loser. For sure some have a harder life than others. But nobody has to quit. He didn't.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.25.09 (7:16 pm)
Reply to: Ladyg
It's a good story, isn't it! He still has some hurdles to overcome, and always the possibility of messing up. But, with God's help- a help I think God intends to provide through people who actively care- he will be O.K.
