Jeff Lehr
Espanol
Tuve la fortuna de conocer a Leonardo gracias a Rosa, una amiga de su familia, cuando su madre, Maribel, compartió algunas de sus hermosas obras de arte en el porche de una amiga común un sábado por la mañana. Aprecié su manera tranquila, curiosa y amable de saludarme, y su plena presencia en el momento.
Más tarde, tuve el privilegio de sentarme a su lado y compartir una comida en una cena comunitaria después de un concierto, y me inspiró su sentido del humor, su curiosidad por las tradiciones culinarias interculturales y sus conversaciones reflexivas y alegres con quienes lo rodeaban. Disfrutaba traduciendo para su padre y era evidente el amor que sentía por su hermana y sus padres.
Mi más sentido pésame a su familia: Maribel, Alejandro y Yanela, y espero que su espíritu continúe guiándolos con su amor y aliento eternos. Esta semana recibí un retoño de pawpaw de una amiga, y tal vez no sea coincidencia. En honor a Leonardo, plantaré ese árbol en mi jardín.
Comparto una foto del árbol de pawpaw y uno de los hermosos posavasos de Maribel.
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English
I was fortunate to meet Leonardo through Rosa, a friend of his family, when Leonardo's mother Maribel shared some of her beautiful artwork on a mutual friend's porch one Saturday morning. I appreciated his calm, inquisitive, friendly way of quietly greeting me, and being fully present in the moment.
Later, I was privileged to sit next to him and share food at a community dinner after a concert, and was inspired by his sense of humor, his curiosity about intercultural foodways, and his thoughtful and joyful exchanges with those around him. He enjoyed translating for his father, and clearly loved his sister and parents.
My heart goes out to his family--Maribel, Alejandro and Yanela, and I hope his spirit will continue to grace them with his eternlove and encouragement. This week I received a pawpaw sapling from a friend, and perhaps it's no coincidence. In honor of Leonardo, I will plant that tree in my yard.
** I'm sharing a photo of the pawpaw tree, and one of Maribel's beautiful coasters
