Paul Gomez recently admitted himself into the hospital after a long hike in a local park. Sensibly, after he felt that things were not right, he checked himself into the hospital. Four day’s later he was released is now back at home and recuperating. The diagnosis, time to rest, relax and stay off his feet.
I learned of this sudden hospitalization prior to the start of our monthly club meeting. While busy at the grill, ensuring that everyone got enough to eat and that the chicken was fully cooked, Hilly Flowers informed me of what had happened. My first thought was, “i hope that everything is all right and I need to call him later to check-in” after which i went back to finishing my hosting duties. Later that evening my thoughts took me to another place.
Paul Gomez has been one of my earliest and greatest influences in this roller hobby. Standing under many good kits of rollers over the years his quest for more speed bordered on maniacal fixation. This “fixation” was surely transferred to me and allowed me to imagine, beyond my wildest imagination, what was possible in our feathered gymnasts. However, there was much more to this relationship.
Paul’s commitment to education was not to be rivaled. An accomplished Biology teacher, Paul could break down complicated science in a way that most could understand. As i walked around my mother’s yard there was no way to escape Paul’s green thumb because before he was a school teacher he owned a nursery. In my own home I called Paul as soon as it came out of escrow and said, “let’s start thinking about plants.” I can also recall riding around the city and beyond and Paul teaching me about plants and their origins. One day we found ourselves in front of a house that was home to a beautiful Sago Palm that Paul wanted to show me. He had watched this plant grow from a beautiful seedling and blossom into its current magnificence–it only took the plant 15-20 years to get this way.
Paul’s medical emergency gave me a moment to reflect on what’s important and what’s not. It also forced me to realize that while we met because of roller pigeon’s our relationship is built on much more. I can’t wait until our next great debate about roller’s, competition or an assundry of topics that we readily argue. But, more importantly, i am glad to have had the opportunity to reflect, write and share about my friend while we are still on this planet together.
To My Brother,
-PW
