In Memory of Matt and Jorge

Hello Everybody!
So far this month of December has not been a good one for us. Within this past week, we have attended Memorial Services for two very good and special friends. Tonight, we went to the service for Jorge Avendano. Sharon has known him for over twenty years. He was just beginning his teaching career. He taught band. Actually, he took delight in teaching students how to play instruments. He had a heart of gold. He never forgot a student. All of his students were amazing. That is what he always said about all of them. If they were too poor to purchase an instrument, somehow he would locate one at a shop-even a pawn shop. He would arrange for it to be given to that student who needed it. He was an inspiration to all whose paths took them his way. His services were held in the brand new fine arts center of Coronado High School. We got there early before many others. When it was time for the service to begin, the entire auditorium was filled. It was remarkable to see.

He played the tuba in the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. What a gentle giant he was and it was wonderful to see the auditorium filled to capacity with those whose lives he touched--both young and old. The picture above shows his tuba on stage with a beautiful portrait of him. His ashes are in the beautiful box with a treble clef on it. What a gentle giant he was, and he was only forty-five years old.

The second friend to die way too young was a young man named Matt Hicks. I am sorry that I didn't have a bigger picture of him. He was the grandson of friends of ours. His family is the most outstanding family that we know. Matt was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in his elbow three years ago. Treatment began that robbed him of his hair, but not his spirit. The tumor shrank, and his elbow removed. It was replaced with a cadaver elbow. He was just the cutest thing. He would show us his elbow, and say, "Can you believe that I have the elbow of a dead man in my arm?" Unfortunately, the cancer came back with a vengeance. It was in his lungs, his knees, everywhere. Finally, the Lord decided he had suffered enough, and welcomed him into his Eternal home on Dec. 12th.

We went to the rosary for him at the church. It was packed. It was full of young people, and friends of the family. Sharon sang in the choir for his funeral the next day. It was very difficult to do. There were so many sad young people. After the funeral, the procession went by his high school, where the students were lined up on the street to pay respects to this wonderful young man and his family. What a tribute and what a send off to Heaven he had! He was buried in his golf jacket. He was on the golf team. Now he can play golf all he wants. We have no doubt that he is in Heaven lining up the next tournament. He was a wonderful blessing to us. Rest in peace, Matt. You will suffer no more.

Take care of each other. Until next time. . . . . . . .