I had a chance to visit with my friend Jesus again this week. You remember Jesus (Hay-soos), the landscaper? He, his helper Lupe, and I talked a little gardening, tree trimming and weed control and then we paused for a water break.

Staring at the horizon, Lupe uttered a barely audible prayer, “My Mother, right or wrong.” Stepping back a bit Jesus told to me that Lupe’s family may be a little “disjointed.”

Lupe turned and explained to us, “She hasn’t always been wonderful, sometimes embarrassing, but the best there is. Everyone’s safety is huge concern. I think she is right to chase away visitors who might be bad influence. I think she is right to say stand up tall and be proud of one’s self. I think she is right to say take care of one’s self first or you won’t be of any use to others.”

Jesus then put his arm around Lupe’s shoulder and said to me, “Lupe is an immigrant. Listen to what he is saying. Go back and understand what he is saying. The ‘Mother’ he is referring to is the United States of America.”