Jeff Delgado

In recent weeks I have not written anything.

I have been too dumbfoundedly busy with the rediculous interruptions of my everyday schedule.

I may have noted that one week my car broke down, on the same three days that I got pulled over.
The next week....I managed to move in one weekend. That Monday....my two pieces of furniture that were antique flew off the top of my vehicle while I was driving 65 miles per hour. I had them strapped with more than enough bunjee cords. And so. Naturally you would understand my upsetting when I was in the left lane and I head what sounded like Sandman landing on top of my car.....in the pouring rain.
This I was unable to stop.

Upon my car dying, moving out of a really really really cheap apartment/great area, this did not help my mojo.....
However, if you've ever met me....you know I really can't be stopped no matter how hard the universe should try.

My bosses sister laughed when finding out alot of this,....she was laughing because I have bad luck.
I'm pretty sure that there is a demon poking me with a stick for fun....just to add insult to injury.

This; dear friends; is a story for another time.

The continuance of this week was me at work. Not ever leaving. I did the same thing all weekend. I was around. And on Monday, it was my birthday.
Which I spent. At work. Even though I had it off.

That wednesday was the ONLY birthday party I had ever planned for myself...and it just so happens that there was a Tornado in Massachusetts of all places that night. I was fortunate enough to find that all my loved ones are safe and sound.

The next morning, I woke.
I checked my email before I jump in the shower.
The first email was a notification that my dear friend Jeff had not been awake or breathing when his mother went into his room.

I knew instantly what this meant even though I did not want to fully accept it.

You see, Jeff had a disease. Muscular Dystrophy.
From the age of eight, he had not the use of his legs.
Doctors did not expect him to live long past his teenage years.

Stupid doctors....Have you MET this boy?!?!?!?

Jeff was as passive and persistent as they come.
He joked about being a Mama's boy, because he had to rely on his mother for everything.
But it is my personal belief that Jeff found strength within his own soul by example of his mother.
She is an extraordinary woman. Sweet, selfless in most ways...and humorous with everyday gratification in honesty.
I tell you now, his Father and Sister meant the world to him. Family was where it's at.

And he didn't rely on her for everything. He never RELIED on anything but faith.

For someone to not have any use of his limbs, he put forth strenuous effort and gain from using his heart and brain to graduate not from ONE, but TWO colleges. And own a small business to help others who retained the same condition.
I don't believe he suffered because I know that Jeff was not a person to accept that kind of mindset. He knew with every day he had hardships, but received them with true grace.
And humor.

I didn't get to know him in his earlier life; although I knew him. We became closer in the past 5 years.
We had quite a few adventures and can't say that one of them was laughter free.

Someone once stated to me that a lot of my friends had issues.

You can call it what you want. I have friends like Jeff because of who they are in their soul.

I am proud to say that I knew that young man personally. And I only wish the rest of the world to hear about him.

If he knew I said that....He would gently laugh and say nodding his head...
"right on Deana" "ha ha...."


If there was ever a person who was a solid example of so many positive things it was him.

Happiness. Love. Innocence.

An avid sports fan, he was the first and foremost to speak about an opening in season.
His room constantly filled with Home team memorabilia. Going to Red Sox games, Paw Sox games,...Celtics....

Don't anyone get mad at me for saying this, but he would laugh.

If God gave Jeff a welcoming present and left it up to him.
This Saturday night will be a victory.

Hat's off to you Jeff Delgado.
You're a true angel and know the meaning of earning wings.
<3