Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa

. . . So, They Made Lemonade Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa

This story was written to honor those who have faced personal disasters and triumphed. Many have lived out the old saying, When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Set in a low income area of New York City in 1970, it starts with a personal tragedy when Adam Rodriguez, a promising 14 year old student who lost his Mother unexpectedly. He had no other family to turn to. As he wandered the neighborhood aimlessly he was dragged into an abandoned building by 2 adult males. Rocco, an illiterate 15 year old homeless boy who slept in the building, saved him from the attackers. This begins an unlikely friendship. Adam soon realizes that he needs more help than that. He was desperate, so he, along with Rocco, went to an old minister of a local Spanish church that Adam had attended a few times with his mother. Pastor Elias Cosme and his wife Ela gave them refuge in their tiny apartment above the small church they served. They were willing to share what little they had because they believe it honored God. They showed the boys love and kindness. Teaching them to refine and use the talents they were given in order to move ahead in life. Helping the boys to believe in themselves and their worth took dedication. There are only 3 options in life; to leave life as it is given to us, make it worse or improve it for ourselves and others. People without a vision perish says The Book of Books.