By Fernie Ruano Jr.
Imagine speed walking out of the local coffee shop with your cup of Joe in hopes of quickly getting back into your car and beating the gridlock on Brickell Avenue, only to have your steps interrupted by some guy wanting to know what you’re most thankful for this time of year, after politely introducing himself?
“What are you thankful for today, especially one day before Thanksgiving?”
That’s the question I asked 20 people starting at 8:20 a.m. today as a half dozen of them fumbled for their car keys while trying to get away from me as quickly as possible, three of them offered handshakes before politely declining my request and one of them offered to buy me breakfast. But an hour later, I had received answers from 10 of the people I posed the question too. And I even managed to score a couple phone numbers!
Just kidding… What I did learn was most of the people who answered my question have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
“My family, being healthy, living in Miami, which to me is priceless, and being able to exercise again; I broke my ankle in September.” - Daisy Rodan, 33, Medical Assistant. Daisy, married with two kids, will be eating a lot of stuffed turkey, white rice and red beans with family and friends in Miramar, FL.
“I am thankful because I’m healthy, have an awesome job, a beautiful family and a man who loves me.” – Christina Lopez, 22, College Student. Christina is traveling with two of her roommates to North Carolina, where she will spend Thanksgiving before heading back to Tallahassee next week.
“.. For waking up this morning and being able to walk on my own, my amazing wife and her family and my baby girl.” – Marcelino Curat, 42, Social Media Manager. Marcelino will be busy roasting a pig in his sister’s backyard on Thursday. Last Thanksgiving, Marcelino was in the hospital recovering from a heart attack.
“I am thankful for having such great friends, being able to live in Miami and sharing great times with my mother.” – Roxanna Cardozo, 36, Unemployed. Roxanna will be cooking dinner and hosting about 15 family members in her Pembroke Pines home. Roxanna’s mother died of breast cancer in March.
“I am thankful because my wife is pregnant, my 6-year-old son is the happiest kid in the world and my entire family is relatively healthy. And my brother and I are cooking tomorrow!” – Jose Figueroa, 39, Computer Programmer . Jose will be grilling meat and drinking beer with his brother, Ruben, tomorrow. Jose hasn’t seen Ruben in four years.
“For my mother and my brother; I haven’t always been around, so I am very grateful and thankful to be spending Thanksgiving with people I know really care for me.” – Xavier Martinez, 24, Unemployed. Xavier recently separated from his wife. He lost his job as a sales associate in September.
“I have so many things to be thankful; we would be standing here for two hours if I told you all of them. But I am most thankful for my parents, my husband and nephew. I don’t know where I would be without them.” – Alison Jacquet, 43, Self-Employed. Alison is spending Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando, Florida with family and friends.
“I am thankful to be standing here and talking to you. We all take so many things for granted, I’ve learned to appreciate everything about life; big or small. Just being able to wake up in the morning and breathing air is something I am very thankful for.” – Greg Moss, 49, Construction Worker. Mr. Moss will be home in Carol City with his wife and grandkids watching football and cooking a stuffed turkey.
“I’m thankful for people like you who would take the time to want to talk to me, my family, my health and my beautiful wife. And football tomorrow because I’m going to be on the couch watching it, after I eat like four times.” – Willie Cruz, 44, Bank Teller. Willie is a huge Dallas Cowboys’ fan. And the Cowboys, just like they do every Thanksgiving, are playing tomorrow. So, there…
“I am thankful for the beautiful life I have. We take a lot of things for granted, but just things like being around your family, being able to get up in the morning and having so many people around you who love you and are always there, no matter what, is priceless. At least for me it is. And having the great fortune to meet you, you little crazy guy, in 2008 has been a blessing. You’re funny and make me laugh, even on days when I feel like crying. ” - Sindy Fernandez, 29, Web Designer/Beautician. Sindy is staying up all night cooking on Wednesday night, before waking up Thursday morning and driving to her uncle’s house in West Palm Beach with a ridiculous amount of white rice, black beans and fried plantains in her trunk.
Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook) and visit http://www.latinbeatsvibe.blogspot.com . Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.
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