Our very good family friend, Roberto, fled Cuba in 1959 when he was a kid. He was a profound influence on me! After fleeing Cuba, he spent some time in Costa Rica, and eventually made his way to Los Angeles. Roberto joined the Air Force, and on the day of his citizenship test at the courthouse, Liberace was holding a protest about tax payments.
After acing his citizenship test, the judge told Roberto, “We need more people like you coming to the USA.” Eventually, Roberto made his way to New York and started his own real estate business.
Words of Wisdom
We first met when I was a teenager, and I thought wow, he’s impressive! He runs a business in New York!? I want to do the same thing! Many years later, I did.
Roberto saw things in a much different way than everyone else in my hometown. It was a refreshing change. He was constantly learning and reading and sharing his knowledge with others.
For instance, one time we were playing golf and he gave me some good advice. I did not grow up in a golfing family but enjoyed playing the game. On the first green, I stepped on his line (a very uncourteous act). I didn’t know the finer points of the game and he told me about it in a very diplomatic way. It’s never happened again.
The way that he spoke and the manner in which he treated others was remarkable. A real class act. I really valued my time with him and enjoyed his company. He was a great influence on me!
When I was getting ready to study abroad in Rome, I was worried about speaking Italian, although I had studied the language for years. He told me, “Don’t worry, everyone everywhere speaks English.” I was skeptical and really didn’t believe him, but he was right!
Positive Influences
Who in your life really impacted you? How did they help you see things that you couldn’t? There’s probably been a few times in your life where you met someone and thought, “Wow, this person is the ‘real deal.’ ”
I’m always up for a great chat about wonderful influences.