In October of 1999, Barry Collins, my close friend, moved back to California from Florida. Barry was one year behind me in the seminary, but chickened out just before ordination. He had moved to Florida because he liked my condo there. He had purchased two of them in the same building as mine. But after finding out that he had prostate cancer, he felt it was better to move closer to his son Keith. The cancer was successfully treated at Loma Linda University Hospital and all was well.

Barry liked the area of my parish and looked for some affordable real estate. He came upon a really good deal when he found this house. At the time, my sister, Donna, was on assignment as a traveling nurse in California. We all helped him move into his new home. Donna loved the house. She told him jokingly, If anything ever happens to you, you’d better leave me this house in your will.”

The house was rather boxy, so I immediately started calling it the “Bearybox.” A mutual friend, Jessie Braga, had just opened a business, a sign shop, in Upland California. As a house warming present, she made the sign that has been the “logo” for the place.

After about two years in the house, Barry slipped in the snow. It was discovered that spring that he had fractured a vertebrae in his back and needed surgery. But before the surgery was scheduled, he was walking down the outside stairs and bumped into the railing and broke his arm. We didn't think anything suspicious. However, during the surgery, it was discovered that Barry had cancer from another "host," having nothing to do with the prostate cancer, throughout his body. He was released and stayed with a friend of mine, Carolyn, for a while. But Keith wanted to take care of his father in his home in Lancaster, which was quite natural.  After a short time, Barry requested to be moved closer to his doctors. He stayed with me in the rectory and Jessie and her husband, Mike, helped me take care of Barry until he eventually was admitted to City of Hope Hospital.

Barry and his son, Keith, had some time together and were planning for the inevitable. But Keith just didn’t want another house. He had enough real estate to worry about and wasn’t that interested in the mountains. Keith advised his dad, “Why don’t you leave Amaro the house and I’ll take care of everything else.” And so it happened. My friend Barry passed away on October 8, 2001. 

Six months later, on March 16th, Jessie the sign-maker called me from a hospital. What she thought was appendicitis turned out to be pancreatic cancer. After a long, hard battle, she passed away on October 5, 2002.

Now, two of my closest friends were gone.

The house was initially an olive green and was quite nice. But Barry wanted to update it to its present gray and white. He had all sorts of plans after the initial painting. He wanted to eventually add another door and a deck on back. He also wanted to terrace the sloping back yard. He had all sorts of renovations in mind.

Because the house was not something I earned, but was a gift from Barry and his son, Keith, it is most special to me. It has become an posession of care and memory. When Donna wanted to settle down an end her “traveling” as a nurse and become a regular staff member of a hospital, it only seemed fitting that she move in. After all, I live in a rectory for now. She could never have known that she would eventually live in this house when she helped him move in and made the comment. After over 15 years of no having family around, I now have my sister with me.

I might have named it, but Jessie “immortalized” this house with her sign. The house has meaning for me and reminds me always of the blessings of friendships that I have had, not only with Barry and Jessie, but those I still have with me and who have been a part of the story. It will never be known as “Amaro’s Place,” but will always be referred to lovingly and respectfully as the “Bearybox.”

Thank God for real friends!
 
 

 

Wind Beneath My Wings 

It must have been cold there, in my shadow 
To never have sunlight on your face 
You've been content to let me shine, you always walked a step behind 
So I was the one with all the glory, while you were the one with all the strength 
Beautyful face without a name, beautyful smile to hide the pain 

Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be 
I could fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings 

It might have appeared to go unnoticed, but I've got it all here in my heart 
I want you to know I know the truth, I would be nothing without you 

Did you ever know that you're my hero, you're everything I wish I could be 
I could fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings 

Did I ever tell you you're my hero, you're everything I wish I could be, 
And I, I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you're the wind beneath my wings 

Fly, fly, fly higher in the sky, So high I almost touch the sky, 
Thank you, thank you, thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings