Auntie Charo's Soapbox

Every once in awhile, a person comes into your life and makes a difference. Joe Lujan Borja Jr. was that kind of person. He was walked with a bit of a limp, loved jokes and probably more than his wife, loved children....his own and others....then, he loved golf.
Way before it was vogue to teach Johnny and Lindy how to hit a golf ball with clubs made of something other than plastic, Joe had this dream.....to teach children how to golf....for him, there was nothing better than the inner and outter game of golf. He make the game of golf available by talking the people at municipal golf course to take in the little ones.
I don't know what his recipe was but he managed to get 'his kids' to fall in love with the game that called for one to hit the ball then go after it....then if lucky, hit the ball into a hole under a really small number of shots. He convinced the kids that this torture was actually fun and that if you were a golfer, would grow into a good human being.
Not only did the kids love golf, they loved him and his wife, Chilang. His love didn't stop with 'his kids', he loved their family(s) as well. He had some medical problems but you would never have known it. He wasn't one to sit and complain about the pain.....he was far too interested in how things were with you. He was just one of the greatest human beings I have ever known.
I grieve for the children that never got to know him or learn how to play the gentleman's game of golf from him. Or, have known his patience to teach this awesome game....or his love for small get-togethers for whatever holiday he wanted to use as a reason to party.
He was an incredible man and I was so fortunate to know him. I will never see a golf ball...or club, putter or big Bertha without remembering this wonderful man.
And thank you, Chilang, for being such a supportive wife. He couldn't have been so great without you encouraging him to be with the kids. We all loved you too!
So, dear, dear friend, death can no longer threaten you and no pain can no longer ruin your days. You are now in the Palm of His Hands, rest now, and watch from above your little ones as they try to follow your giant footsteps.You have touched many lives, I'm glad I was one of the lucky ones.
Rest in Peace, Joe, you've earned the rest.