This past weekend was very hard for me. I learned that my very good friend Alberto C. Rafols had just past away.
Rest in Peace my good friend…
Alberto was more than a good friend, he was my best friend, like a brother, the Godfather of my daughter. We grew up together back in Puerto Rico; same neighborhood. And great times we had together. We spent a lot of time together, had great times together, at school, at the beach, cycling, the girls, doing crazy things, and playing freestyle and Ultimate Frisbee and hacky sack; we were pretty good at it at a time when the sport was very new, and we even won competitions and appeared on local TV. We had so much fun together. And the many times that got in trouble together too. We were kids.
Life can take unexpected turns…
And while I haven’t seen him in years, here I’m remembering the good and bad times that we spent together. Over the years we grew “apart” as I moved to the USA, where I’ve been so heads down doing what I’ve been doing for many years now. And sometimes we forget of what is important. But Berto you always be on my mind. And I wish I could take it all back, and had been there for you, when he needed me the most. I’m sorry.
And I remember and I cry. And I remember the good times, and I try to comprehend why? And I think and write, which helps me comprehend a bit more about this very sad event and about life.
As I try to comprehend the loss of Alberto, I scramble to find pictures of him. And I found a couple, including the one below from 9 years ago. There they are, Berto and Luis, my two best friends, both lawyers, husbands, parents… and darn good friends. I wish I had more photos of him, of them, but I guess we just spent the whole time having a good time and forgot to carry a camera. I will ask my parents to see if they have more photos. Tomorrow I leave for Puerto Rico and will spend time with my parents and with my friends, and remember Alberto.
Life is way too short… let’s never forget about what really matters.
And as finish writing this, listening, I remember all the good times, and I smile. Love you my good friend, my brother… You will always be with me…
ceo
Sorry to hear of your loss. You’ve written a very touching post.
Thanks David. Lets keep in touch, and not forget what is important; family and friends…
ceo
My condolences Enrique.
Thank you Jason…
Awww Berto, my dear, dear, dear friend through the good times, that were so many, and the bad times. He knew his craft quite well, I might add! I lost an “all-of-my-life-friend” and my personal lawyer as well.
That pic, one of his good moments!
Berto, you were loved. You will be missed, and I’m saying this because I am already missing you.
Thanks Enrique, you made me cry yet again!
My condolences to you ceo. take care.
Thanks Kiran!
10/28/2009.
Conocí a Alberto para el 94-95. Logramos conocernos en el bufete para el cual trabajabamos entonces. De más está decir el buen ser humano que acababa de conocer. Un hombre simple sin orgullos que le hacian ganar bondades humanas de medida escalada. Aunque no logramos compartir mucho me pareció haber sido su amigo toda la vida. Me enterado por mi hermano que me lo ha comunicado desde Puerto Rico esta noche.
Lope
Orlando, Florida
AMIGO FALLECIDO
Que te encuentras en una montana? Inmovible y oscura, sin fin y sin rumbo. Te sientes asustado, confundido, que piensas que es tu umbral? PUES NO
NO la pelees, esa ES tu montana, son tus valores, lo que aqui fuiste. NO estoy diciendo que es mala, NO. Solo volteala, conocete y veras que esta llena de vida, imponente, segura y majestuosa, tu camino a la eternidad y comienzo a la verdadera vida, lo MARAVILLOSO que fuiste.
No la combatas, formas parte de ella, porque eres ella. Se que tienes miedo, pero vete a la orilla y admira Tu grandeza, Tu fuerza y veras que es tu espejo existencial. NO TEMAS, no le tengas miedo, no te tengas miedo. Esta prenada de vida y en ella es que despegaras para navegar con perfeccion a traves de tus mundos y SIN MIEDO a la eternidad. En ella te haras puro y perfecto. De alli dspegaras al infinito, sinonimo de amor perfecto.
NO temas, esta hecha de tu amor, de tu corazon humano, pero con trascendencia. Y mientras mas rapido te enfrentes a quien fuiste, mas rapido llegaras a tu destino. Aun oscura, camina, camina que ella misma inundara tu sendero con TU PROPIA LUZ.
Volteate al miedo, tu montana es gentil, abierta y generosa. NO te tengas miedo, ella es tu todo, del todo saliste y a ese todo llegaras, CONFIA. Disfruta y acepta quien fuiste, disfruta de tu viento, de tu olor, mezcla heterogenea y unica de quien en vida fuiste, tierra mojada, hierba fresca y flores salvajes. Fundete en ti, solo asi llegaras a tu destino
Ese Dios que conociste es tu montana, eres tu, recorrela, conocete, hazla tuya y admira su belleza, asi te admiraras a ti mismo; TU PROPIA GRANDEZA.
Ese Dios que conociste siempre te amo y te necesita. Ansia con desespero que le respondas simbioticamente a su amor, quiere que seas igual a el y que tengas su misma fuerza.
Pero camina amigo, camina, camina sobre ti, sobre tus pendientes escabrosas y cavernas tenebrosas. Solo ahi te perdonaras. Entenderas la naturaleza humana que aqui viviste y te perdonaras. Conoceras la grandeza de amor que por naturaleza PapaDios en tu corazon engendro mucho antes de tu nacer.
NO TEMAS, el todo no es mas ni menos QUE tu, lo complementas. Pequena bellota de amor puro, que aun sin tener ojos inundo nuestros pies con el llanto mas apasionado y tierno que en algun momento lograras ver, ansiando por ti.
PERDONATE, y siente la necesidad que tiene de ti, por ti salio de su esquina, y sacudio sus nubes espesas para escogerte, ELEVATE, que cargas con el tesoro del amor de DIOS. TQM