For Robert:
All of us will miss you
More than words and art and music can say
You were a true warrior
You smiled and made us laugh and cry
You thanked us
Until the end.
You never wanted us to worry
You never wanted to bother
But it is all of us who thank you
For your ocean sized heart!
For your passion for life
For your kindness and sacrifices
For always being there for us rain or shine
For pouring out your emotions, humor, and gentle heart, like if there was no tomorrow…
If we all had one more day with you
Or if we all had one more life with you
It would never be enough!
Like an unfinished melody
The silence hurts us all so much, since we all wish to hear more…from you.
One more day and we would need more.
A day to barbecue in the yard with family and friends
with you at the helm
making us laugh and feel like superstars!
One more day to marry Jessica, the girl of your dreams
One more day for you to have the beautiful kids you both talked about, looked forward to
One more day to film your stories
One more day to take a trip with you
One more day with all of us here to have a celebration together.
Around you time always stopped
No worry in the world
Just enjoy the good times and smile
As little cousins I remember so much
Too many memories that make me so happy they hurt….so here are a few shards of light.
Finding two trash cans with you that Grandpa had set near the porch filled to the brim with cold rain water, leaves and all, and we agreed with smiles that it was a good idea….and slipped in to them up to our eyes, escaping the hot summer sun and laughing knowing we’d get in trouble. One of my favorites was snorkeling in a pool we made at Grandma’s with plastic trash bags and rocks…
I remember every inch of grandma’s yard and crawling through it, exploring it, with our family and friends, throwing oranges and playing war, indiana jones, and ghost hunting,
composing melodies and beats in the garage and dancing to them.
So many haunted houses, art exhibitions, events, performances, music videos, films, soundtracks, you selflessly contributed too….all of them with a touch only you had.
You loved your family and friends with all that you had.Your friends were also your family.
Now you are on a new adventure
And it brings me comfort knowing that every living creature will also take that journey.
I will be proud to tell the stories of who you are and what you lived for and the battles you triumphed over! I can imagine our grandchildren and great grandchildren and their friends one day laughing and being proud of Robert!
Leaving us so soon feels like holes in our hearts
But you wouldn’t want us to worry
You’d want us to fill our hearts
like the trash cans filled with rain
on those long summer days
and jump on in! Full to the brim, overflowing with laughter, smiles, stories and good times!
The beautiful Son of Virgie and Rusty, Filmmaker, Vault Clerk, Background Actor Production Assistant, Storyteller, Fiancee, Accordion Player, Chef, Premier DJ, Composer, Whitewater Rafter, Cousin, Grandson, Uncle, Comedian, Best Friend, Little Brother, Big Brother, Mentor, Survivor, Caterer, Listener, Poker Player and more …
I’ll turn my sorrow and tears into refreshing rain drops, for you my little cousin!
And I know you will forever be with us, and if we let you, you will keep changing us all for the better for generations of families and friends to come!!! You brought us all together for a reason, like your little loyal team of broken toys, piñatas, dancing skeletons, saints, lovers, and explorers!
We’ll watch over your marshmallow of a dog Slick now….and make sure he is happy too, just watch over us with your big brown eyes and gentle smile…until we meet again soon.
We’ll take the stormy, dark ocean of missing you…..and let the winds you’ve given us create waves to wash us all into something more beautiful, to triumph with humor and heart in our own battles, with you as our smiling gladiator at our side!
We all love you Robert! We carry you in us forever.
-Cousin Fernie Apodaca
There will be a Car Wash Benefit Saturday, April 9, starting at 9:00 A.M. at the Corner of Polk and Glenoaks in the Country Cousins Parking Lot in Sylmar.
A viewing, rosary and tribute will be held on Friday, Apri 15, 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Poverello of Assisi Retreat. On Saturday, April 16, Mass will be held at the same location. Poverello of Assisi Retreat 1519 Woodworth Street San Fernando 91340. Burial will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery.