A Life Remembered

I flew to Portland this past weekend after finding out that a friend of mine had passed away. He had been fighting cancer for just over eight years, and the cancer won a fight. However, the battle was not won by cancer.

He was a good friend to everyone. How many times have you heard that? Yet the reality is, Oscar truly was a friend to everyone. As one person said at the memorial, when you met Oscar, he would look you in the eyes and became genuinely interested in who you were, where you came from and what you are doing with your life.

I remember the day I met Oscar. It was the first day of school. I was in eighth grade and had just transferred schools. I knew a few of the people, but not many and being quite shy, I was afraid that it would take a few days, maybe a week or so, before I made many friends. That first day, I don't remember much about it. I'm sure it was spent learning procedures and such, I do remember I had a good feeling about my teachers (which of course turned out to be spot on). What I do remember is getting on the bus that was going to take me to the academy where my mom worked, and I wasn't sure where I should sit. There were kids that were my age back in the back of the bus, but I was a little shy, and they seemed like the "cool" kids. This guy on the very back seat called out to me. Something along the lines of "New girl" but I don't remember exactly what it was. He told me to come back and sit with them. What all was said, I don't remember, but I do remember thinking wow, this guy thinks I'm cool too, and is fun and I felt like I was possibly one of the "in" kids.

Oscar made everyone feel like they were special and his good friend. A joy to see. Whenever I saw him while in college, or even afterwords, I still felt like I was special and always a joy to see. I wish that I had a few more moments with him over the last couple years, however I know that I will see him again when Christ comes, and that will be a wonderful reunion.

My prayer is that all of my friends will one day meet again in heaven. I love you all! Let's live our lives to the fullest, and share our faith all and make everyone feel welcome so they want to come too.