As I am sitting here, I was going through my pictures and noticed I only have taken a few photos with Andy. Andy and I met in IPS class in 9th grade. We became really good friends very quickly. We shared a sense of humor and a love for food. I recall our phone conversations, us going to DMV together to take our drivers permit test, him helping me decide who my first boyfriend should be, cooking together in college... During college, on a weekly basis, Steph, Henry, Andy and I will have a cooking contest where one will cook dinner, one will make dessert. I recall these nights can never be on the same night that Felicity is on. We made some real fancy stuff like ox tail stew, bread pudding, sloppy joes, creme brulee... I remember Andy coming over to visit me in the first week I moved to Walnut. We had no furniture at that time and we sat on the floor listening to him share about his first girlfriend, Tiffany. He was soooo happy sharing his stories! That was during the time when they first got together. Such happy memories. Also, the Andy and Tiffany really enjoyed bowling so I have countless memories of us bowling. I recall taking Andy to buy a bowling ball for Tiffany as a surprise. It was so sweet that he knew her style. He picked out a purple ball and purple bag because that was her favorite color. I really miss the high fives we gave each other after our strikes and spares.
After college graduation, he moved to Brazil. We talk less often but we make an effort to get everyone to go bowling or eat when he is back in LA. I remember the night he was diagnosed with brain tumor in October. Steph and I just finished dressing up for a Halloween party when I received the text from Tiffany stating that were in UCLA Medical Center and that he was having brain surgery tomorrow morning. Steph and I rushed to the hospital to see him. I was there again the next morning at 5am to see him go to surgery. Andy was a true fighter. The last two years, he went through radiation, chemo, 2 brain surgeries, laser treatmeants, spinal surgery... he fought. He fought for his life so he can be with his wife and family.
Through all of this trial, I am glad he found God. During the time when he can no longer move or speak, I find comfort know that God is with him so he is not alone. I am happy that God gave him rest.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3
I, in return, learned so much. God showed me how endless His love is for Andy, his family, and me. When I share ask my coworkers, friends, church, and family to pray for Andy and his family, they all did. These people were complete strangers to Andy and Tiffany and they plead to God for a miracle, for peace, for a friend of a friend whom they had never met. They prayed with me, cried with me, sat with me, listened... the works. During the times that I am hurting or lost, God gave me my friends and family to support me. God worked through all of them and I praise Him for His love and support. You know who you are, and I really really really need to say Thank You. I am forever grateful that you were there with me to share my pain. I will never forget your selfless act. You truly are the salt and light.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Andy, Me, and Yvette
Andy, I miss you.
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