I am Robert Longfellow and I met Joe Rivera when he rode his bicycle to Brea on Saturday mornings for the combination of breakfast and a mid-day meal at St Angela Merici Catholic Church. I was just visiting and was directed to him by one of the overseers. I found that Joe was very interested in talking to me or rather anyone who would simply acknowledge his words. We shared cups of coffee, mine black and his with five sugars and three creamers. I found his conversation illuminating if not a little disjointed and river raft, drifting against the banks of the river but generally aimlessly following the flow. As I returned during the next several weeks, Joe was opening up a bit more about his life and the challenges which he has faced. These were the talks which Joe apparently had to get off of his chest. They were bright stars from his life constellation. It became apparent to me that even the slightest bit of wandering needed to be held onto like a precious jewel to be placed carefully into a crown at a future time.
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Robert Lanphar
2018