Saying "See Ya Later"

I have quite a few different updates that need to get posted on this blog, but they all can wait.

I think most of you who read this are already aware of the fact that a week ago I found out a friend of mine, from home, died. His name is Ramon, and he had just turned 31 last month. Back in December he was diagnosed with cancer. It feels wrong to try to summarize the story that he and his wife, one of my friends and former roommates: Allie, and his mother-in-law wrote on their CaringBridge blog, so I won't. Here's the link: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ramonvidaurri/ it's most definitely worth the read. [Just as a heads-up, they made the account private, which just means you'll have to either connect if to your facebook account or create a sign-in, but again, I highly encourage you to read through the journal posts.]

Since I'm letting you go read the story of his battle with cancer from someone else, I'll just share here some of my thoughts and memories. Ramon and I met through our lifegroups at church. That summer each lifegroup was called to join in with a few other lifegroups in their areas to do larger community-based activities. Ramon was leading one of the groups ours got paired with. The first night we all met up as a community group, I'd just gotten to see The Flight of the Conchords at the Hollywood Bowl, so I was rather proudly wearing my shirt from the concert. That started many a conversation, and I remember it being the beginning of my first conversation with Ramon, instantly finding out that he had an excellent sense of humor and that he was a huge fan of music. He was easy-going and laid-back, but really passionate and really excited about what it meant for all of these lifegroups to be coming together as a larger community, to care for each other as well as the community around us. His enthusiasm was contagious.

Although there were a couple of other conversations in between, the next one that really stands out in my mind was the night that he showed up to go see Eclipse (yes, the Twilight movie) with me and Becky. We'd invited quite a few other people, but Ramon was the only one who came. I felt bad for him, but it was fun, and after the film we all sang songs from Rocky Horror Picture Show in the parking garage at the cinema!  After that night we all knew we'd be friends. I mean, how can you sing your way through a musical and not know that you'll be friends with someone. :) The rest of that summer was so fun, watching our groups come together and get to know one another, as well as reaching out to our community to put on a VBS in a local park that summer.

Another story along the lines of things he showed up for without really knowing what he was getting into: Ramon came, because I'd invited him, to my SoCal murder mystery fund-raiser for going to grad school. It was Cuba themed, and quite fun. I think when he'd received the invitation he thought it was going to be more of just a hang-out. But according to the way he tells their story, that's the night he saw and fell in love with Allison. Love-at-first-sight sounds like something that can only happen in the storybooks, but that's what happened with Allie and Ramon.

It's amazing to think of the love that they got to share; and it breaks my heart to imagine what Allie is facing right now. Please keep her in your prayers. Also be praying for Ramon's mom, Selma, and for both of their families as they all walk through this time together.

Although I'm not able to be present with everyone back at home in this difficult season, I've been blessed by technology to be able to communicate with friends back home; to hear about how the various ceremonies to remember Ramon went, and to grieve together. I keep thinking about the Newsboys' song "Breakfast". I don't even know if Ramon knew the Newsboys, he was a musician himself, and one of the biggest The Who and Beatles fan you'd ever meet. But the story of the song "Breakfast" is about a group who is mourning the loss of their friend who knew God and who wanted to share that with others, albeit by letting them know that they don't serve breakfast in hell, but still...Ramon had such a heart for others, he knew and loved Jesus and wanted others to do so as well, and not in a cheesy way, but he genuinely tried to care for others deeply; to show them Christ's love. This last week I've been able to talk to some of my friends from home and remember Ramon and we all agree that there's no better picture of what he's doing now that he is healed and cancer-free in heaven: He's found a guitar (or bass) and is rockin' out with and for Jesus. I can't wait to see him again, completely healed and whole. Until then, I'll say see you later, friend.