Friday, April 19, 2019
I only had the pleasure of getting to know Al(vin) during the last weeks of his life. We met in a most unlikely place: a hospital room at the Grace Hospital. He was like an earthly angel to me and each member of my family during one of the most painful and frightening times in our lives. At first, when my family left, or before they arrived at, my bedside on a day, Al would come and sit on my bedside and regale me with his walking tales, stories about his beloved daughters and the incredible grandchildren that he had been blessed with. But soon, Al was joining us anytime of the day, after his brother left. Honestly, he soon felt like one of the family. Know that his most beloved joys in this life were each of you - he told me; he told us. He shared his love of art and walking (especially in Spain!), his passion for Habitat For Humanity and the importance of walking with Bear Clan Patrol (his walk is the Mama Bear walk). I can't even begin to tell you how badly I needed someone as bright and as beautiful as your dad, brother and gege to show up at my bedside when he did. My whole family fell in love with him. My suffering, pain and inability to speak properly at the time made me afraid and made me cry - Al never let me cry alone. He hippity-hopped out of his bed, gave me the most amazing hugs, held me, and told me that he wished he could just give me a kiss on the head and make my suffering (which was immense at the time) go away - a very fatherly or grandfatherly thing to say and do. He made it better. We have a feeling that Al made a lot of things better. We are heartbroken to hear of his untimely passing, and share in your grief. Al has been taken from a life that he loved living far too soon but, as I write this on behalf of my family, I take comfort in the Bible hope that we'll see each other again one day. Al received communion in the hospital so I know this is important to him too. <3 From our family to yours, our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. Your dad, brother and Gege was one in a million. And during one of the most frightening weeks of our life, he was a beacon of light with many, many wonderful and glorious tales. The torch has been passed - the job is now each of yours to pass his tales on. xoxoxo Our love to each of you. oxoxox
