Reza

Reza in his favorite city, Chicago

Reza was a close friend of mine in college at Trinity.  I honestly don't remember the first time we met--I just always knew him.  

He was from Indonesia and came to the great state of Illinois as an exchange student in high school.  How brave and courageous to come to a new country alone!  After high school, he went to college at Trinity. He seemed to work everywhere on Trinity's campus: the library, the cafeteria, the computer lab.   I know our freshman year we were both assigned jobs in the cafeteria and worked in the dish room together.  I stayed one year before asking to get reassigned to the Education Office and to Campus Security.

Graduation from Trinity

Reza was a serious student--in fact he had a double major and still managed to graduate early--but he had a great sense of humor--a dry sarcasm that you had to pay close attention to hear.  He knew everyone on campus and everyone knew Reza.

My friends and I called him Raisin Bran, Razor Blade, and Raisin Nut Muffin.  I'm not sure he appreciated our pet names, but he tolerated it.  At the East Hall bonfire, they had a night of  karaoke, and we sang "You Can't Hurry Love" and dedicated it to him.  He was like the little brother we all loved to tease.  For his birthday one year, we took him to Reza's Restaurant in Chicago.  When he moved into his first apartment, we had a house warming party for him.  Everyone lavished him with gifts: silverware, patio chairs, plants, towels, toilet paper....all the essentials.    He was overwhelmed, but everyone adored Reza and wanted to him to know it!



Thomas, Courtney, Temple, Suzanne, Reza, Aaron, Chris
Jackie, Ken, Amy, Wendy, Jen, Justin, Alaine, Stephen
(clockwise)

Reza didn't learn to drive until college.  He took a driver's ed. class, but he still needed some practice.  I took him to Camp Manitoqua's huge gravel parking lot so he could practice turning and parallel parking.  He was a very safe driver and passed all requirements to get his license.  

He and I were in a children's play together called Chrysanthemum that our friend Alaine directed for an interim class.  I have taken that adorable play and had my own class perform it for chapel programs.

When my brother, future brother-in-law, and my friend, Ron, came from Virginia to Illinois for my college graduation, Reza let them stay at his apartment, and he also provided transportation to and from the college and various celebratory events.  They said he was a gracious host.  Reza, Wendy, Alaine, and Thomas joined my family and I  at Navy Pier after graduation.  We rode the huge Ferris Wheel and ate at Ed Debevic's.  The four of them also drove to Virginia for my sister's wedding two weeks after graduation. (Read more about that trip here.)  He has shared in many of life's celebrations.



London, baby!

I went home to Virginia one summer, and my friend, Dana, told me about a lady in her cafeteria at Hampton University who would ladle out the gravy and say, "Want some gravy, baby?" as she scooped it on each plate. That became the catch phrase, and I brought it back to Trinity. Reza had us in stitches as he repeated it! I can hear him laughing now! Want some gravy, baby?   

I flew back out to Chicago for Sandy's wedding, and we rang in New Year's at Alaine's home.  Reza took Alaine and I out for breakfast my last day in town.  I could always relax around Reza and be comfortable.  I have so many fond memories of all of us together just having lots of fun. 
 



Machu Picchu

 When I think about Reza, I remember most his sincerity, his generosity, and his honesty.  We do not agree on everything, but that is okay.  There is still a mutual respect despite our differences. No matter what has happened or what will happen, I will always call Reza my friend.

 

Reza has moved from his beloved city of Chicago to his not-so-favorite city of Houston, but he has still managed to take trips to Canada, Ecuador, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Belize, all over Europe, and most recently and impressively to Machu Picchu.  He has a sense of adventure and determination and is not afraid to take a risk to follow his dreams.  I don't think he ever knew how impressed we all were that he would leave his family at such a young age and travel to a new country to start a new life.  I know his family is very proud of him, as they should be.  This year marks five years since he became a citizen of the United States!  I truly wish the very best for him and pray that all his dreams come true and that he discovers God's perfect will for his life.