Change of Address
I know it has been some time since my last entry. I actually have a couple of them written that need to be typed. But this one is by far the most difficult one of all. This entry is dedicated to the man who I consider a grandfather. His name was Luis Alverio. He and his wife Reyna sang in the choir with me, I loved them both very much. Luis, or "El Abuelo" as I fondly referred to him, made a big impact in my life and it is now during his absence that I feel it the most.
I could not write this entry in paper and every time attempted to write it online I came undone. Today, with tears I will push forward in explaining to you just why I loved him so much. I'm sure this entry will not do him justice but if you all could of been at his funeral service you would see that he made an impact on everyone he met. You see El Abuelo was the type of man who said what was on his mind. He said what he meant and he meant what he said. He never sugar coated anything and some of what he said would sting. You either loved him or you hated the fact you still loved him. He never sought to hurt anyone but didn't see the point of letting you slide by with your mistakes... he called you out on them and was the first to admit when he was wrong (let the record show I don't remember him ever being wrong, out of line yes, wrong... no!) . He believed in giving you a good smack on the head if you needed one and his devotion to Mary was unparalleled. I can say that he lived his faith. So great was his and Reyna's devotion that they actually belonged to three parishes. They were always involved in fundraisers, participating in retreats and sang with their souls on Sunday's. They have a large family and during his wake all 3 parishes combined to serenade some of the songs he loved the most.
I clearly remember the day when our Choir Director Frank decided to relocate to Puerto Rico leaving that position vacant. No one wanted the role. I being the youngest of the group offered to take over but asked the group if they were willing and ready to see me as their leader and not the baby (which is what they called me). El Abuelo was the first to stand up and walk to my side and said "I will follow you". "I think you are the best person for this job and will bring in much needed youth" were his words. With him by my side the rest quickly followed. He always backed me up... and in my moments of doubt was the first to tell me how proud he was of my work. Sadly the shingles stole him and Reyna from me. He suffered a stroke and was no longer able to sing. We would visit him and sing to him... family in the choir is family... no matter what. He was happy to hear that I did manage to bring in some youth to the choir, in fact I'm no longer the baby. He treated me as an equal and it is now that I realize just how much more I miss him. I wish he could see how well the new choir is doing. I wish I could tell him about my achievements in my labors at church as a volunteer teacher. I wish I could tell him about my latest efforts to begin a youth group. I wish I could hear his advice as I sometimes feel so lost... uncertain... Abuelo, God how I miss you.
If there is one important lesson that I need to apply to my life is the following. El Abuelo was active in life... he lived it... and didn't fear death... he accepted is cross and fought for two long years. I know that I'm spending way too much time online and it is time for me to focus. To live and be active in it. Treasure the time I have and to be able to come to peace when my time comes... so I have no regrets. To balance my time with my friends online and enjoy the ones that are real ones who I seem to have taken for granted.
I know, thanks to my faith that El Abuelo is with me now. That he is probably looking at me crying like an idiot and wishing he could smack me and tell that... he isn't gone... he just changed his address. Until we meet again. Te amo!
I could not write this entry in paper and every time attempted to write it online I came undone. Today, with tears I will push forward in explaining to you just why I loved him so much. I'm sure this entry will not do him justice but if you all could of been at his funeral service you would see that he made an impact on everyone he met. You see El Abuelo was the type of man who said what was on his mind. He said what he meant and he meant what he said. He never sugar coated anything and some of what he said would sting. You either loved him or you hated the fact you still loved him. He never sought to hurt anyone but didn't see the point of letting you slide by with your mistakes... he called you out on them and was the first to admit when he was wrong (let the record show I don't remember him ever being wrong, out of line yes, wrong... no!) . He believed in giving you a good smack on the head if you needed one and his devotion to Mary was unparalleled. I can say that he lived his faith. So great was his and Reyna's devotion that they actually belonged to three parishes. They were always involved in fundraisers, participating in retreats and sang with their souls on Sunday's. They have a large family and during his wake all 3 parishes combined to serenade some of the songs he loved the most.
I clearly remember the day when our Choir Director Frank decided to relocate to Puerto Rico leaving that position vacant. No one wanted the role. I being the youngest of the group offered to take over but asked the group if they were willing and ready to see me as their leader and not the baby (which is what they called me). El Abuelo was the first to stand up and walk to my side and said "I will follow you". "I think you are the best person for this job and will bring in much needed youth" were his words. With him by my side the rest quickly followed. He always backed me up... and in my moments of doubt was the first to tell me how proud he was of my work. Sadly the shingles stole him and Reyna from me. He suffered a stroke and was no longer able to sing. We would visit him and sing to him... family in the choir is family... no matter what. He was happy to hear that I did manage to bring in some youth to the choir, in fact I'm no longer the baby. He treated me as an equal and it is now that I realize just how much more I miss him. I wish he could see how well the new choir is doing. I wish I could tell him about my achievements in my labors at church as a volunteer teacher. I wish I could tell him about my latest efforts to begin a youth group. I wish I could hear his advice as I sometimes feel so lost... uncertain... Abuelo, God how I miss you.
If there is one important lesson that I need to apply to my life is the following. El Abuelo was active in life... he lived it... and didn't fear death... he accepted is cross and fought for two long years. I know that I'm spending way too much time online and it is time for me to focus. To live and be active in it. Treasure the time I have and to be able to come to peace when my time comes... so I have no regrets. To balance my time with my friends online and enjoy the ones that are real ones who I seem to have taken for granted.
I know, thanks to my faith that El Abuelo is with me now. That he is probably looking at me crying like an idiot and wishing he could smack me and tell that... he isn't gone... he just changed his address. Until we meet again. Te amo!