I'll miss you..

Manuel, You’ve only been gone for a few days but my heart misses you sooo much. I remember our first years as siblings, things were CRAZY! I was about 7 when our parents became as you would call them “the parentals” and all of a sudden, I had 2 older brothers and I just remember thinkin’ ..boy these guys are CRAZY! Especially Manuel J he just doesn’t stop, or as everybody else calls you, Manny.

You and I have always shared a special connection, both being the middle child, both big dreamers and we could talk for hours about anything, …about life, psychology, God, people and how different we are. As time passed, We grew up and shared soooo many good and fun memories. You were always the life of the party, the center of the room, the loudest intelligent mind I have ever met. You were also always the one who charmed the ladies, and boy did they love you. Even when you were younger, I recall how all the girls in church would always want to come to our house to supposeably hang out with Marina, me and Isela… I ended up figuring out that although I’m sure they enjoyed my company J, they would also love to be in the same place as you.

You were friends with everybody, and as you would say, I DONT DISCRIMINATE J ….I love how you always made an effort to befriend anybody, no matter who they were or how they looked, you knew how to love and you did it well. In return, you were shown love from everybody you came across. I’ll never forget the year that we worked together at Olive Garden, you kept talking about how easy serving was and that you would soon run the place…you were my best and favorite partner…the two of us would tag team customers at the table and because of you, they wouldn’t know what hit ‘em..lol. And with a huge grin on your face, You would introduce me to all of your tables as you put your arm around my shoulder and proudly say, this is “my little sis”.

Your whole life, you experienced your share of rough patches but you never forgot how to show your love to family and your friends. I’m so proud of you for having such a big commitment o family, for being a proud father, supportive brother, loving son and loyal friend. You are truly a one-of a kind character, a legend, an innovator, a trendsetter, a man who always had a witty line to say about everything, a man who would give whatever you had if somebody needed it which is why when it was all said and done, you gave life to five others with your own. Your life has a been a gift to the world and will only you can leave this world with such a bang! J for all of us to remember….

One thing I look forward to telling my son, your “Siah” is that his uncle many was there just minutes after he was born, and held him with such pride. You taught him to dance and kick his feet when he was still an infant and I’ll forever remind Josiah, that his uncle Manny is the one who taught him to first dance.

10-15-10 My brother passed away

He was the backseat passenger in his own car, he was out with 2 co-workers after work, one of which was driving his car. It is still unknown whether she fell asleep or was drunk but regardless, they were on a back, curvy road and between 2-5am Sunday, hit a tree going at least 50 mph. They were last seen around 2am and it wasn't until 5am that they were found, all unconscious. He was airlifted to a trauma center and never regained any form of consciousness even after a surgery in his brain to reduce swelling. The doctors said that it was just too late, too much hypoxia, lack of oxygen to his brain had already occured. It is believed that he felt no pain because his neuro-system was impacted at the crash as well. The two other girls were reportedly released from the hospital yesterday and don't remember what happened. There was a designated driver who was at the bar with them, but left early w/o them because when she was ready to leave, they weren't. that designated driver has called the hospital everyday to apologize and my parents have accepted that apology. I don't know why God could allow this to happen but He never makes mistakes and I have to believe there's a purpose. Today, we found out that purpose was for others to carry Manny's funkiness in their lives. He just got his license, the first time ever, last year, I took him to the DMV and he was soooo nervous. I clearly remember helping him get the paperwork in order and filling out the drivers license application. When he got to the box that said "check" for being an organ donor, he asked me something along the lines of "whats this?" and I told him what it meant...w/o hesitation, matter of factly he replied something like "why would anyone NOT check this, SHOOT! Today matches were made for his heart and liver and more will be confirmed by tomorrow....all I can think about now is that his life will give several others second chances, just like he has been given a second chance. God is good.