Our good friend Rafael.

 This is a post that I would never have imagined I'd write.  Back in 2014 Rafael came to work at the Las Jaibas RV park.  He was hired to be the maintenance man but he turned out to be so much more than that.  He is bi-lingual so he was also a perfect back up on the front for new arrivals to the park.  From the very first meeting we knew we all had a gem!  Friendly, helpful and happy to help any one of us with anything we needed.  Always a smile on his face and a cheery word for each of us.  Plus, he could  fix just about anything that needed to be fixed.  A tireless worker he always kept the park in tip top shape.  Over the years many of us have moved on to condos and a house for us.  Many people don't come to Mexico anymore but everyone remembers what a good man he is.  I can truly say I have never met a better man.  

Here in Mexico the class system is still in place and Rafael is part of the very important working class while park owner Felipe is the next class up.  It has always been apparent to all of us that Rafael was always undervalued as well as over worked and under paid.  When the park was full we could get him to do things for us and pay him as well as take up a collection at Christmas.  If  Rafael washed an RV on work time we had to pay Felipe a large sum which Rafael didn't get any of.  Many people would have him wash their rig very early in the morning before work so they could pay him directly or give him extra above what they paid Felipe.  Some just flatly refused to have Rafael do the work and have Felipe get the money.    

Over the years Rafael has had health problems and now he is very ill.  Over worked and tired he was able to retire in April of this year.  At almost 63 he had contributed to the government pension long enough to qualify for a monthly income.  It had been his plan that he would then do work for the park when he needed and also hire out to us north Americans for any work we needed to have done. He started looking after out house in the summer of 2020.  He did needed repairs and came by once a week to check that everything was okay inside and out.  He has not been an employee but a friend and we have always enjoyed his company.  We have always given extra as we knew how tight money is for a low income family. Last spring when we left Rafael was unwell and waiting for gall bladder surgery which did not happen until October.  It was always hard for him to see a doctor as he had to take time off work and then wait for a government doctor.  Most of the time he just didn't go even when he wasn't well as it was just too expensive.  In the end he still had to wait a long time for surgery.

We and he, had thought that all was well after his gall bladder surgery in October but it is not.  Rafael has prostate cancer that has metastasized and it is too far advanced for treatment.  He spent 11 days in the hospital as they tried to get the pain under control and now he is at home, bedridden with his family.  He is on pain medication but it can't completely control the pain.

When we found out about the situation I alerted all his friends and asked that we all help Rafael as he has helped so many of us and.... they stepped up.  I collected a large amount of pesos (I don't want to say on the internet) and today Eric, Dennis and I took it to their house.  We included cards with messages and I listed everyone who contributed.  The money was given as a group donation.

I held Rafael's hand and told him what a wonderful man he is and how much he is loved and appreciated by all his friends.  I told him how much we all loved him and that he is the best man I have ever met.  We only visited for about 20 minutes as it was difficult for him to talk very long.  Eric and Dennis shook his hand and offered comfort.  Even though he is very sick he is still our Rafael and his spirit is still strong.  He has faith that his God will look after him and I truly hope that he is right.  

This is one of those very sad situations involving a good man who deserved to spend another 20 years or more with his family that will not be able to do so.  

He cried when we told him about the money and I told him he deserved every peso.  It will give him comfort that his family will be okay for now and they will be able to pay for any medication that the IMSS does not pay for.  

We all have so many good memories of Rafael and we will continue to hold him in our hearts through this very difficult time for him and his family.  I include a few photos from happier times. 

Rafael and his girls.  This is the first year that Rafael work for the park and the youngest daughter Regina was not even born yet.  Funny enough the lady with her hand out is one of our "German" friends Regina and Rafael really liked her name.  Karina his wife, Brittany"aka Scarlett",  Paulette and Daniella.  

We missed 2015 Christmas dinner as we were at home and in the interim Regina was born and she was at 18 months at our 2016 Christmas park dinner.  Rafael loves all his girls and they in turn love him.

In the winter of 2024 we invited Rafael and Karina to a concert at the Angela Peralta theatre.  It was a "Rondella" which is all traditional Mexican music and Rafael was just thrilled.  They had never been to the Angela Peralta theatre.  

Here we are in front of the Catholic church downtown. 

We took them out for lunch afterwards and Rafael really enjoyed the seafood soup.  We had hoped to take them again this winter.

Last winter we invited Rafael to stop by after work and join us for happy hour on his way home.  He has always enjoyed all the people in the parks company and attended many, many gathering when he was finished work. 

Many of the people who know him will read this blog and it will bring a smile to their faces.  They will have their own stories, pictures and memories.  

What a privilege it is know this man. 

Our hearts are broken.