Unmemorable Memories

It’s an unexpected ending. On August 27, 2005, a dear friend of mine, Alway Bartolome passed away.

I have known Alway for many years, even before I started high school. At Baesa Adventist Academy, he was quite a popular guy. I met Alway through his twin brothers, Ray and Randy, and his sister Susie. Alway was very intelligent and an extremely talented musician. He even wrote the school song, which to this day is still sung at BAA.

After the Bartolome family migrated to the U.S. we had minimal contact. We saw each other at large Adventist gatherings like Pathfinder camporees and General Conference sessions. Our contact was limited to a few emails here and there and a few comments on our respective “blogs.”

Two weeks before his fateful diagnosis, Alway visited us in Toronto, to see old friends and share his findings in his Bible study with us. We enjoyed the company of Alway, his wife Cherry, and their three children. The Bible study which we engaged in lasted till the wee hours of the morning and was lively, and animated, while also being inspiring and enlightening. To say it was interesting would be an understatement.

It was a shock to us, when we heard, two days after their visit, of his sudden illness, operation, and subsequent diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. It is a mystery, how he developed such a disease, seeing that he faithfully lived a healthy lifestyle, free from carcinogenic elements. Who would have known that when he left home to go on a vacation, that this would be his last vacation on this temporary earthly home, before going Home?

Alway has impacted many lives. Mine is just one of them. From briefly talking with him, I could tell that he truly loved the Lord, and that he was dedicated to serving Him. We, Alway’s friends, and family can only take comfort that God has a plan for him. And we hope to see him at Christ’s second appearing.

To Alway’s family: My deepest condolences. May you find comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ, as you go through this terrible time of loss.

-- Posted in Journal