What Love Asks of Us

Adulthood usually brings boring everyday tasks, daunting routines, and unforeseen and often unwanted changes. Which bring us questions like why are we here? What keeps us going? Where is the meaning in all of this? Ham ended our conversation by sharing that he believes we are not put on this earth to just simply live for ourselves. We are put here to make this world a better place not only for our kids but our kid’s kid’s kid’s… He believes that purpose doesn’t have to be big and flashy to mean something or make a difference. It doesn’t have to be pinpointed to one result, but it can be seen in being present every day with those in need of some help. 

In a nation that arguably is growing more individualistic by the minute, where did he gain this insight from? Ham’s parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States when he was only 3 years old. This move took a massive financial toll on his family. But they were adamant about giving their two sons a life that was safe from the dangers of a growing cartel. A life where they could not only be safe from danger but also educated and more financially stable. 

Because his parents risked their lives and finances to protect their sons, childhood looked different to Ham compared to other kids. While his peers got help on homework, his parents struggled to help him with his because of the language barrier. When it was time for kids to get involved in sports and other activities, Ham and his brother were not able to, mostly due to the fact that their parents worked long hours and couldn’t take them to and from practices. On top of this, his weekends and spare time were not spent with his extended family who lived back in Mexico. In fact, in 2019 when his grandma passed away, his mom was not able to say good-bye to her mom because she passed away so suddenly. Growing up in all of this isolation, made him become hyper independent. He could have easily grown more selfish over time as he realized he needed to figure things out on his own. Instead, he uses his experiences to empathize with others who are in similar experiences. His goal is to be a voice for those who do not have one. To speak up when others cannot. To let the struggles of other outrage him enough to inspire empowerment.

In his spare time, he often goes on solo dates. Many of which meant solo road trips to national parks. Oftentimes, he even stays in tents in parts of the woods where bears are often seen. It isn’t uncommon for him to drive 21 hours in a car by himself all at once either. Why you ask? Because his parents are now at an age where they are not physically capable to do all the traveling, so he does it for them. Once he went on a long hike and brought a satellite with him. So, when he got to the top, he could facetime his dad who would never get to see the beautiful view of the blue river at the bottom without his son’s devotion. His parents raised him and his older brother to be strong, reliable, and devoted men. A couple years ago, they paid off their parent’s house with some loans. This is just the beginning of how they want to repay their parents for all their sacrifices. To them, love means making life easier for the ones they love usually through acts of service. 

THAT’S LOVE.

An Omaha Recommendation:

When I asked Ham his favorite place in Omaha, it was hard for him to decide. Eventually, he said Dante’s pizza place. He has been there countless times. Claims their pizza is less greasy than any other pizza and their flavor is top tier. But something else piqued my interest in his talk about Dante’s. One time he went there on a solo date as he often does being the introverted friend in his friend group. While he was eating his pizza, there was a couple sitting next to him at the bar that had bold personalities. After a while, they commented on how fast he was eating his pizza and suggested that he get to eat for free. After they asked the waiter and the waiter denied him free food, the couple paid his bill. What a beautiful story to highlight how kind the people of Omaha are. 

THAT'S LOVE.

Shana Schoone writes “The Heart of Omaha,” a weekly column celebrating all the ways love is shown in the O.