I’m always impressed with people who go above and beyond their circumstances to give to others. Hugo is one person who always seems to be doing just that. In conversations with him and in gathering information for his visa application, I have come upon some great stories about him.
From a senior missionary couple:
“My favorite memory of Hugo was when he was the president of the Obreo branch, of our church {LDS}. There was a family of little children who were regular attendees. They were very poor and came to church barefoot. One little girl about 4 years old stepped on some broken glass and cut her foot quite badly. President Centurion picked her up and placed her in the bathroom sink, washed her up, bandaged her cut and combed her hair.”
This past summer Hugo was telling me about a neighbor woman who approached him in tears. Her husband left her and his three young boys for another woman, but took major household items, including the stove. (Yes, her stove.) Hugo, being the Deseret Industries of his neighborhood with one of his rooms dedicated to the storage of unwanted, useable items, gave her a camp stove and his spare tank of propane among other miscellaneous items.
All of the missionaries who have served in his area that I’ve spoken to always say how well Hugo treated them. He was (and still does) always feeding them, cutting their hair, doing their laundry and accompanying them to teaching appointments. He is extatic to be serving as the ward missionary leader again. Might as well have the title if you’re doing the work, right?
In 2008, while Hugo was in Buenos Aires for a while, he picked up odd jobs to earn money for his sister to have a much needed surgery performed.
Hugo also helps his mother run errands in town and has gathered his brothers and constructed an indoor bathroom and kitchen for his mother. Yes, “indoor” meaning she hasn’t had either before. Hugo even gave his mother his own refrigerator and microwave so she would be properly outfitted.
Can you tell I kind of like this guy? I kind of really do. Actually, in my nephew David’s terms, I like Hugo “10”, which is lots.
Now that I’ve gone on and on (again) about how wonderful he is, remind me to tell you about what a TEASE he is. Yeah, remind me to tell about the lizard.
Yes. I don’t think he could marry a Nielsen if he wasn’t absolutely good-hearted and an absolute tease. 🙂
So fun to hear your stories!