Friday, August 16, 2013

Paul Martinez


     I never had the real opportunity to get to know Paul. In fact, I’ve had only one true conversation with him. At the time, I had no idea how much that conversation would impact me later on.

        We were barbecuing in the backyard and he was telling me about his home; how much he paid for it and what Spring Valley looked like in 1962. Listening to his words, I easily visualized a scene of ranch and farm land, even while looking at 54 freeway and the hundreds of houses and businesses. “Man,” I thought to myself ,”this valley must’ve been beautiful before “civilization” moved in” The part of our conversation that stuck with me most was the way he spoke of his family and his home. He with gratitude and humility. Yes, he was plenty proud of his hard work and what it provided, but that pride was overshadowed by his obvious appreciation for the opportunity to provide.
        Knowing his family, especially his wife Carmen and his granddaughter, my wife Anna; gave me much insight into who he really was. We live in a day and age where I feel many out there are praised for all the wrong reasons. Celebrities who really don’t do anything other than be famous. Multi-million dollar athletes who cheat. Politicians who lie. And the list goes on and on.
     
  And then there’s men like Paul. A man who lived his life in service of others. A man who helped others who asked and when they didn’t ask, he sought out those in need.
    
I often talk of those who have influenced my life; of people who have led by example and inspired me to look at my life and the example I show to first and foremost, my family but also to those around me, be it extended family, friends, coworkers or even a stranger on the street.

      Not long after Anna and I first started dating, I was talking with Grandma Carmen about work. She told me about how long Paul worked for SDG&E and how he got the job. Apparently, he went down to their main office to apply, only to be told they weren’t hiring. Now, many people would give up on that option or even worse, stop the job search altogether. But not Paul. He went back the next day, only to be turned away again. The same went with the day after that, and the day after that. And he kept going back until he got the job and spent the next 30 years there.
       This to me is one of the truest examples of persistence that I have ever known. No one knows what he would have done for a living if he had not been persistent in getting that job.
    T
    T he lesson of persistence, of dedication, of lifelong service to others are but a small part of his legacy. But to say it is only a small part would be like saying the USS Midway is a small boat. His legacy, as with all great men; lives on in his family and in those whose lives were changed by his service to the Lord.
  
        I know for a fact that my life has certainly been changed by his legacy.

Had it not been for Paul Martinez, I still may be searching for the meaning, for the purpose of my life. My role, my blessing of being a husband and a father; THAT’S the absolute meaning of my life. So without really knowing it, he showed me the meaning of my life.
      And just as I am inspired by his persistence, I will continue looking for ways to be better in that sacred role. I will be persistent in my desire to be a better husband to my wife and a better father to our children.

   Just as his selfless dedication to his faith changed so many lives; I am inspired to look at how my own faith can change not only my life but those of anyone and everyone I come in contact with.
     And before I lay my head to rest tonight; I will express my humble gratitude for being husband to Anna, father to Trevor, Joseph and Layla and being blessed with the Sacred Role of helping to carry on his legacy…

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