Memories
I have made it most of the way through the day without tears, so let’s see if I can get through this. Conversations, images, moments, and memories have absolutely monopolized my brain for the past five days. I met Mahito ten years ago, and he was from the beginning and continued to be a rock in my life. Solid, strong, and safe.
I was a freshman at CSUMB in my first few weeks. I had run into Mahito a few times. Penny Layton and I were walking around campus on a Friday night when we ran into Mahito and Bryan Schaefer at the U.C. Mahito talked us into coming back to a party at his place. Penny and I were both, honestly pretty straight laced girls at the time, hadn’t been out to the apartments yet. We were both begging off apologies for not being able to come out, when Mahito stuck out his hand for a hand shake. “I always keep everyone safe. You can trust me. Promise.” And that, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
So, the highlights:
*Helping Mahito carry lumber up from the garage the night the dance pole and dias were built in his living room.
* Many, many weekends that tended in the same direction. I was lucky enough to be a part of the group of six or eight that stuck around after parties ended. Crashing in his living room, waking up sometime before noon. Going out for burritos, then mischief on the beach. Back to his place for BBQ or hand rolled sushi, then another night. Somewhere along the way, 12 became my favorite number, pants made you weak, and jungle juice wasn’t the same if you didn’t drink it out of a sparklets cooler.
*Mahito was a huge mentor in my technical theater education, but he taught me more than the skills. He taught me confidence. So many times, he’d tell me: People won’t really care what you know, if you aren’t 100% sure you know it. I grew up with him.
*Badges at El Teatro Campesino. He and I practically lived at that theater between my Stage Managing and his Technical Direction. It’s not a show I would have stuck with if he wasn’t there. Tough personality conflicts, artistic conflicts, my first time with non student actors. Many, many nights ended at the Crown and Anchor or back at his place for a beer. His ability to keep someone calm and centered was incredible.