Roman

There is a gentleman who is at our house a lot. His name is Roman. He can’t hear and he can’t talk. My mami just said that he was a “vecino” (neighbor). He is the most helpful person and is so kind and friendly. He will do any favor for you. He uses sign language. I don’t know sign language, but my family, especially my mami, talks with him all the time. And he just comes and goes at our house. He’s basically part of the family. Today was his birthday. We had him over for cena (dinner). And we had a birthday cake and ice cream. I guess that everyone forgets that it’s his birthday on October 1, even though he is always helping everyone. And people don’t call him by name; they just say “el mudo” or the mute guy. That makes me a little angry, but more, it just makes me sad. I think he and I might have a lot in common here. Watching him at dinner, he couldn’t really participate in the conversation. I mean, if questions were directed to him, then he would, but we didn’t talk in sign language. Mami was pretty good at including him, but it was just hard because 1) we don’t know sign language, or at least I don’t, and 2) we’re not used to talking like that. So he just ate with his thoughts and joined the conversation when addressed. I feel like that a lot. I just can’t keep up with the conversation. I do understand the majority of what goes on. I really do. It’s by dinner time (any time between 7:30 and 9:30 or later) that I just can’t comprehend anything else. It’s all just noise by then. So I zone out while I eat and the conversation goes on around me. I’ll join in when addressed and my mami does a good job at pausing the conversation to ask if I understand, but I think Roman and I are in similar situations. Only he didn’t choose to be in his. Thank you, God, for putting someone in my life that shows me how to live a joyful life even if I don’t always understand what’s going on.