I went today to a memorial of Alex Gomez. A man who taught me so much, without teaching me a thing. Sometimes we only grasp this realization once we sit to ponder and reflect. Alex Gomez was the father of two of my friends and brothers Keith and Mark. He was a Mexican immigrant, a Vietnam Veteran, a Sergeant at the LAPD, a father, husband, friend, mentor director and servant.
He had an innate ability to bring calm to every situation. He would constantly remind us to "calm down, relax and do the right thing. When you do the right thing you have nothing to worry about." He never took me under his wing or mentored me in any fashion. I don't recall a single time where he directly gave me advice or direction yet his words and voice I hear often. I learned so much from the man through observation and interaction. He cared about others so much and had an amazing amount of compassion for others especially children and the poor. He was so thankful for everything he had been given and the life he had developed. I mean a Mexican immigrant who became one of the most respected Sergeants in the LAPD. Well known at Hollenbeck and Newton Divisions.
I gleaned from him that compassion for others was okay to display even in my line of work. He cared abut people. Which I do too. That empathy can sometimes be seen as weakness by peers. I know it is not my weakness but their own. Yet perceptions still are strong. Alex was a servant. He gave all of the accolades to others, superiors, subordinates never himself. Humility was his strong suite.
As we remembered him today my eyes could not stop flowing with tears. As I write this, they well up again. Amazing how someone can touch so many lives. Intriguing how my life has been touched by him as well. I gained valuable character traits from Alex and will forever pass them on to my kin and others. It was one of the first funeral/memorials that I went to where everything that was said was true and no lies needed to be told. He will be missed and truly, truly never forgotten. His words ring in all of our ears.
As I shared time with my friends who grieved, I was asked for guidance and introduction to the Lord. Both of the men at separate times reached out to me for guidance and introduction to God. At first I was taken aback. We have not shared in each others lives for about a decade. How would they know where my journey is with Jesus? But each of them knew instinctively to ask and comfortably know that I would be with them in their journey. I was humbled and astonished by God's timing. He knows all. He used me and my experiences with Andy, My father, my journey with His son Jesus, to be a witness to Mark and Keith. I am honored for that.
Bobby Hill, a childhood hero, joined us as well. And we too discussed our relationship with Jesus and how our lives have evolved with Him by our side. It was an incredibly emotional day. A even more humbling day. A day where I mourned, I cried, I laughed at the memories of Alex and his influence in my life. I was honored to cross his path in this life. But as I age, I know, nothing happens without cause or reason. God is all knowing. Thank you Alex for all you did here on earth for the multitudes. God Bless you.
