Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Diamond Diary by Kevin Cooney
12/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 20, 2002
I planned to write something about my hopes for you all to have a good Christmas an a Happy New Year, but I think you will get more from Gabe's message. Merry Christmas. KC
Dear Friends,
First of all, I just want to say thank you. I am really touched by the concern and respect you have paid to my father and family. I am blessed to have friends like all of you. It's people like you that make tough times easier. Thank you for being the friends you are. It is easier when surrounded by friends to talk to, cry to, and laugh with.
To all of you who made the trip down to Miami on Wednesday night, thank you. My family and I were in awe of the number of people that made the trip in such short notice. All of you made the atmosphere more pleasable. I want you all to know that with your presence, the night went from crying and sobbing to talking and laughing. My family was moved by your companionship.
To all my friends who called, wrote or sent messages with friends, thank you. I appreciate you guys sending your condolences. I understand you would have been there with me if the opportunity was there. I do value your worries. Your support and willingness to help out in anyway possible is very significant.
To everyone else, I know your prayers are with my family. I do understand at the complexity of getting a hold of everyone in such a short period of time. All of you in the FAU Baseball family were represented by the beautiful arrangement of roses sent for my father. I thank you all.
My father is now in a better place. The past year and a half was not a life for him. To see the destructive nature of this disease from the outside was very disturbing. But I cannot begin to imagine that actual pain my father went through. Just think about living a year of your life depending on others for everything from changing the channel on the television to the most innate behavior of breathing. He will no longer suffer. Now he can smile from up above.
Sometimes tragedies such as this one help out. It helps us relearn what we already know. Don't sweat the small stuff. When you see the struggle of one person, it's the time to realize how fortunate we really are. We come to comprehend that we have nothing to complain about. Be thankful for what you do have not want you don't. For all of you, with all the challenges life comes to pass, we need to learn from it. Of everything I have written take one thing and keep it close to your heart. I know I will.
Love always,
Gabe Somarriba
