Not Far

Far.
It is not long since the moon crept in
And broke a few silver paces across my heart.
Not Far.
Since the light held your eyes,
As a lonely crystal flew
Across your face.
Liquid.
It is not far.
Since the day waved goodbye to morning
And welcomed politely the afternoon.
It is not far.
Since the earth jumped to caress you
Warm its kiss upon your face encased in nevers and not evers.
It is not far.
To walk to hear your laughter.
No, no,
It is not far.

Mulholland Drive

So I had an awesome weekend. I did some side work on Saturday with a good friend of mine, Joe. We did clean up at a very private school’s country fair. Now when I say private, I really mean PRIVATE! And when I say PRIVATE, I really mean EXPENSIVE! This school was up on Mulholland Drive, just above the Getty Center, and all the people attending this school’s annual country fair appeared to have 7-figure incomes. Now, I’ve been to a few school fairs in my days, but I have to say that I’ve never been to a fair where there was an In-n-Out truck fully paid for by a single family! Yeah, this fair was off the hook – there was a Jamba Juice booth, a crepes truck, and a Cinna-bon booth! I think this school fair would give the county one a good run for its money!

So why am I telling you about this? I overheard a man talking as we were both waiting in line at the In-n-Out truck, and by the sound of this guy’s conversation, he is a big player in the real estate game. Now this guy was complaining about being at his kid’s school because he was in the middle of some big deal, and the look he gave his kid when the little boy ran up to ask him for some tickets was pure contempt and frustration. This tripped me out because I remember a time when I was sitting in a cell in some prison, just wishing that I could be ANYWHERE with my kids, and here was this guy, living up in the hills, obviously not hurting for money, I’m sure he drove some kind of German vehicle to that fair, he was with his kid, and yet he was miserable. And here I am, broke, driving a 13-year old mini-van, living with my daughters at my parents’ house, yet I’ve never been happier in my life. I’m alive, I’m clean, and I’m free…those are three things that all throughout my active addiction I swore I would not be at the age of 37. I always felt that if I wasn’t dead I would be either getting loaded or in prison for getting loaded.

Recovery has given me the priceless gift of gratitude. Today I am grateful for the life I live and no amount of money could have ever given me that.

Maximo Fundraiser for Homeboy Industries - April 24, 2010

Arrive at Homeboy Industries. 7:30 AM


The location for the event: Union Station (my first time ever there!). 8:30 AM


My boy Joe.


The garden...check it out later, full of guests and donors. 9:00 AM


The big hall at Union Station. It WILL be transformed. 9:05 AM


Hector V. and some of the other senior staff from Homeboy Industries. 6:00 PM


Leonard, Aswad, myself, Brian, and Joe in the garden. 6:30 PM


The garden full of guests. 6:45 PM


The big hall transformed. 7:00 PM


Typical restroom flick in a very non-typical restroom. 7:05 PM


Joe clowning on the stage. 7:10 PM


Joe and some of the Homegirls. 7:15 PM


Heather, Holly, and Jim. Special people. 9:00 PM


The Homies getting their rap on. 9:45. PM


The night ends with a flick with Gee. 11:00 PM

Powerful Forces

The wind is blowing hard right now and it made me think...I thought about how many things in my life cannot be seen, they are invisible, but their effects CAN be seen and their power can be felt in my life. Just as the wind is invisible and cannot be touched, so it is with God, love, and recovery; and just as the wind is a powerful, moving force, these thing also have immense power, and affect my life in undeniable ways.

Today I am grateful for the effects that God, love, and recovery have had in my life. Although I cannot see these things, these powers, or touch them, I choose to believe in them today.

Through recovery I found God, and through God I have found love. I love God and He has allowed me to love myself so that I can love others and in turn allow them to love me. Simple...yet I had to travel such a long road to get here. But the journey is not over...it truly has just begun.

On The Job

Yesterday was my first day as a Coordinator's Assistant for the Homeboy Industries Solar Panel Program at East L.A. Skills Center. I hope to be a positive contributor to this program. I went through the program myself as a student and it was a good experience for me; I hope to make it a good experience for those that are following in my footsteps.

My Baby

A Granddaughter

A Granddaughter is so special
She will fill your life with love
Like a rainbow made with sunshine
When rain falls from above
Precious memories she will give you
Many heartaches and some tears
She's a treasure that is priceless
That will last you all your years