I am my raised glass in memory...

A facebook message...and to think, this facebook profile will never be updated, or posted from again. It's a strange thought, but it's real. A facebook message...this is the last contact that I had with Mr. Herman Atienza, before he passed from complications stemming from Pancreatic Cancer last night. You truly never know how tomorrow will pan out. One of my biggest pieces of advice to others right now is: Don't put things off, especially when it comes to visiting or spending time with those you love, because no matter how many times we hear it, we still TOO often take time for granted, and more often than not, we put it off until it's too late. I thought I was gonna get to see Herman, and at some level, was hoping for a cure even though this form of cancer is the most aggressive and has probably one of the highest mortality rates, but I just put off seeing him and now I'll never get the chance. I was never as close to Herman as many of my friends are, but I will still miss him. I remember that when I met him the first few times, we got off on the wrong foot and I had a negative first impression; but that just goes to show that first impressions aren't always everything. The guy loved sports, and had a brightening infectious smile, and smiled until the end, as evidenced in recent pictures I've seen him on.

So rest in peace Herman, I know God is with you, and that you're not suffering any more...until we meet again my friend....