Words

from Tony & Sharon Albers,
Grandparents

We gather together his afternoon to celebrate Luca's life and to comfort each other now that he has left us. We instinctively look to those who are closest to us, our family and friends, to share not only our moments of joy but also our times of grief. You are the friends to whom we look. You have come to us, not with advice, solutions, or explanations. You have chosen rather to share our pain, sometimes with words, sometimes without, often with an embrace, often with tears. You make it very clear to us that even in the terrible and tragic loss of Cassia and Peter's son Luca, simply being present, with us and with each other, physically or across many miles, is what really matters.

During the past two weeks there have been countless examples of your friendship, comfort and support. I would like to briefly share just one of hem with you. Two weeks ago today, I was on an early morning flight from San Diego to San Francisco to be with Cassia, Peter, Luca, Asher, and Sharon at the hospital. As I flew north, gazing at the California coast, I struggled to pray for strength and guidance as Cassia, Peter, and Asher faced such tragedy. I was beside myself and actually prayed for the first time in my life that the airplane would not land in San Francisco. In fact, I prayed that the airplane would never land anywhere - somehow it would just keep going. But it landed. When I reached the hospital's sixth floor, turned the corner and proceeded down the hall, I noticed the Family Waiting Room on my right. Immediately, at least four friends approached me, in silence. They held my hands, hugged me, and cried with me. Because of such presence, comfort and support, the prayers during my flight for strength and guidance were completely answered.

From family and friends has come and overwhelming response of cards, phone calls, and emails. I'd like to share with you and email my sister Janie, from Kansas City, sent to Peter and Cassia. Her sentiments express how many of us feel:

"Luca was very lucky to have you as his parents for his short life, and for the bond that I am sure he had developed with Asher. He was blessed to have the love he received from his grandparents and from your friends and relatives in California. He was also blessed to have the love of your huge extended family and network of friends across the country and around the world. We had never met Luca, but he became one of us and a part of our lives through pictures and emails. We all ache for your loss, because it is our loss too."

To you, our family and friends, we are forever grateful for you presence, love, and support.

Tony & Sharon

(Words spoken at Luca Holstein Albers’ memorial service, 21 March 2008.)