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Tuesday at noon I went outside to my car so that I could go and pick up some lunch for my fiancee and I. For those of you who don't know, I work for my fiancee's parents at their home. My fiancee, who doesn't work there, didn't have to go to work until later that afternoon...so he was sleeping in.

As I watched for traffic, throwing my stuff in the car and holding the door open, I look up out of my sunglasses and see a man walking. He was wearing a blue and red UCLA t-shirt, a baseball cap, sunglasses, and he was using a walking stick. No bottle of water. In an instant I knew who he was.

I cried out "Pablo" to this man who was my highschool Spanish teacher for Junior and Senior year. One of the best teachers at that school, and in my life.

I had heard last winter that he had suffered a stroke. I had also heard that he went back to teaching right away. Needless to say, I had wanted to see him when I heard, but time can sometimes be against us.

Pablo (Spanish for Paul...he takes his job seriously ) welcomed my hug as I narrowly avoided traffic in jumping up to the sidewalk. I immediately pummeled him with questions regarding his health, and the whole while he just smiled and heard it out. Then he told me his story...complete with a smile.

Last August, Pablo was on vacation in Brazil (a gift from a student) with his family. The day he got back he went out in the yard to play ball with his son. After playing for awhile he felt horrible pain in his chest, and thought maybe it was time for the game to stop. Afterall, he must have been tired from flying from Florida, to Brazil, back to LAX...he isn't one to sleep on planes. He went upstairs and felt horribly sick, he told his wife how he felt with tears in his eyes because he knew he had to go to the hospital.

It turns out Pablo had angina. 95% blockage of one of his arteries. They went through his leg and put a stint in his heart so as to keep the blood flow. He never needed surgery.

As I freaked out on hearing how bad it was, and how bad it could have been...Pablo told me it was the best thing in his life to have happened to him. He could have died. You really learn things about your teachers when you know them outside of the realm of the classroom. Pablo asked me if I have ever heard the phrase "Did you get the memo?"...well he said God was giving him a message, he received the memo...God has blessed him, thank the Lord. He has been healthier than he has his whole life. He walks nine laps around the field before classes in the morning, and during sixth period, he walks nine more since he doesn't have class. In fact, during the summer, he walks from his house to L.A. Fitness and back...a good two miles.

As we parted, Pablo asked me to come by for spanish materials when term started, and to send my little sister in to see him, because by knowing her he continues to know me. I received his email address. His parting words for the afternoon as he left with his walking stick, "You don't know how happy it makes me having run into you today."

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It truly amazes me how one can look upon their life with the things that happen to them. Having faith is such an individual act, feeling, emotion...whatever you want to call it. It is purely individual, intimate and personal. The way I, in my twenty one years of life have seen people use their faith is just amazing.

Pablo was one of the best teachers because he was always so happy and kind. Never angry, never strict, and always involved and fun loving. He cares about the students; and even recognizes a former student and their name 18 years after they have taken his class (no joke, they remember him too). For him to react the way he did after getting sick, surprises me, but also comes as no surprise at all...he is a true optimist.

Schools don't let you know your teachers' faithful leanings, but I believe that when people truly live their faith, you can see it, and I've seen it in Pablo even as a student.

Standing up on the altar and leading the church in praise, I can see the people who take their faith with their life, I've known people...who on good days feel that their faith is so dwindling and indisposed, but when it comes down to it, their faith is stronger than ever. I've known people here on LitNet, who are so very strong and believing...even when they don't think so.

Part of the reason I think we have faith, is so that it can be seen by others. And it is seen.