Josue of Pacifica, California

Josue of Pacifica, California

Josue was born in Brazil into a home of wealth—a family of doctors and lawyers who were skeptical of Josue’s future due to Josue’s disabilities. He was born with very limited hearing in his left ear and heart problems that left him weak and frail.

With a desire to prove himself, Josue left for the United States as a young single adult. He worked in a restaurant for many years and on the day that President Donald Trump was first elected President, Josue suffered a severe heart attack (all guesses are that Josue is a Democrat). To recouperate, Josue returned to Brazil to be with his family.

A few years later, Josue re-entered the United States and worked as a janitor in San Francisco for the rest of his career. He also worked as a painter of houses on the weekends to make ends meet. Today at 87 Josue lives as a resident of the Gift of Love. His health is deteriorating quickly, but that does not stop Josue from being the kindest of friends. My favorite moment with Josue was when he took delivery of his beloved Haagen-Dazs ice cream bars. He asked staff for one to complete his dinner one evening and when he noticed others looking wishfully at his ice cream, he shared the rest of the box with friends in the dining room until the box was empty! A little act of kindness that showed great love.