|
|
| Thursday, September 2, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Marketplace
|
|
Sections
|
|
Service Center
|
|
 |
|
Remembering Alex
Published September 19, 2009
Life is like a blur — it passes seemingly in a flash.
Most would say life passed far too quickly for Alex Garcia.
But in 11 short years, Garcia touched many lives. He made an impact on those who knew and loved him. He made a difference, a lasting impression on family and friends.
Garcia, who loved soccer, lived life to its fullest and he had a passion for it. He was inquisitive and totally immersed himself into whatever task, hobby or adventure happened to be on the agenda on a particular day.
“He was just that type of kid,” said Garcia’s father, Glen, who owns Buenavista Mexican Cantina and several other local businesses along with his wife, Veronica. “He was adventurous. He wasn’t afraid of new things and was always excited to go first.”
On a recent trip to Cancun, Mexico, Alex proved that. He was the first of 10 people to jump from a small tour boat and swim with a school of whale sharks offshore during a sightseeing excursion on the open ocean near Isla Mujeres. The sharks, the largest living species of fish, can grow to 46 feet long and weigh up to 15 tons. Alex wasn’t afraid. He wanted to take in the thrill and experience all life had to offer that day.
Alex died Aug. 31, at Highlands Medical Center, two days after taking part in his last soccer game. While he was infected with the new highly contagious H1N1 flu virus, state health department officials did not say it was the cause of death. According to Glen, results are not yet back from a private autopsy performed at the family’s request.
“It’s hard,” Garcia said. “It’s been really, really tough to accept. Veronica and I would do whatever we could to prevent other parents from having to go through this.”
The Garcias — like all parents — had long-range plans for both Alex and his older brother Nathan.
The family expected both boys to attend colleges, pursue careers, meet the love of their lives and begin their own families.
“At least in my mind, you expect that one day God is going to come and get your parents,” Garcia said. “But in our case, it was the other way around. God works in mysterious ways, and we know he is with God.”
And that is what makes the pain, the heartache, and the feeling of loss bearable.
Garcia relates that soon after Alex died, a butterfly landed on his chest. The next night a butterfly visited Glen and Veronica in their home. It landed, first on Glen’s chest and then on Veronica’s arm.
Without reservation, Garcia believes it was a sign, “a way of showing he is still with us. It was no coincidence. It was a sign of God giving us comfort,” Garcia said.
And if Alex could come back for just a moment, Garcia believes he knows the message his son would give. “He would say, ‘I love you and miss you. But I’m OK.’”
From Scottsboro to Huntsville, Alex touched the lives of his peers.
Classmates at Collins Elementary School held two separate services, in his honor. Hundreds attended to show their love and respect for the boy who seemingly always had a smile plastered on his face.
That smile said a lot. Alex enjoyed life. He was happy and, at times, mischievous.
“Alex could be stubborn. He had a temper,” Glen said. “He always had something up his sleeve, a comeback for every comment, serious or funny. He was a thinker, an observer and practical joker.”
In Huntsville, teammates on Alex’s United Soccer Club team remembered him by retiring his jersey number, 18. They spray painted it on their playing field at Valley Fellowship Christian Academy before a game last week and took photos of family and friends waving as a remote controlled camera-equipped helicopter recorded the event from above.
And that same soccer team memorialized Alex with a plaque featuring the club’s crest, a picture of the youth in action and a brief eulogy that ended: “For Glen, Veronica, Nathan and friends — heaven is eternal and it never ever ends. You’re your eyes on the Lord and walk in His love. Jesus will watch over Alex until you join him above.”
“He was strong until the end,” Veronica said. “Alex walked into the clinic on his own.”
Before being taken to Highlands Medical Center, Alex visited a local physician’s office. As sick as he was, battling a high fever and infection, he showed his courage and determination by refusing help to get from the car to the office.
“Never give up,” was the motto Alex lived by.
He learned the lesson early. Alex noticed a picture on the wall that made a lasting impression when his father and brother were visiting a restaurant supplier in Chattanooga.
The picture showed a frog in the mouth of a large bird. But the frog had its front legs out holding onto the bird’s neck. Each time he visited the facility Alex was drawn to the picture. Eventually, Glenn explained that the frog was not giving up even though life was hard at the moment, and he got copies of the photo for both his sons. Alex took the motto to heart.
Alex knew who he was. He respected his Hispanic American heritage, which often took him back and forth between a home in Mexico and one in Scottsboro, as evidenced by a poem he wrote in 2008. The writing shows not only his understanding of life but captures the essence of his vibrant and carefree personality.
It begins: “I am from George Lopez, from Snicker bars and the remote control. I am from the pool in my backyard (pushing, shoving to see who falls in first).”
It ends: “I am from Glen and Veronica’s family, Chips and queso Blanca, From Marichia, From the farms where they milk cows by hand, To a restaurant called Buenavista, named after our town.”
And Alex had a purpose.
“He was covering all the bases for his age,” Glen said. “Alex was confident. He had his priorities in order. We just had to tell him something one time and that was it.”
He did his homework without being asked, was an ‘A’ student, regularly won math and language awards and received the Presidential Fitness Award five times.
Alex was passionate. Whether it was schoolwork or games, he wanted to do well and finish the task. He excelled at chess, basketball and swimming. He loved to shoot pool, play checkers and card games and run.
The Garcia’s restaurant was a favorite spot for Alex. He enjoyed his time there and his favorite dish, ‘Guacamole Buenavista’, isn’t even on the menu. It may be one day soon, and if so, it is likely to be named after Alex. The dish includes sliced avocados, grilled shrimp, fried pork and pico de gallo.
For the Garcias, life without Alex hasn’t been easy. It likely won’t be. But Glen said the family is appreciative of the support received from the community and the prayers still being offered on their behalf.
He believes Alex is in heaven “as a really good soccer player teaching God’s angels how to play the game.” That thought, along with knowing Alex would want the family to move forward, gives Garcia and his family strength for the day.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Comment
Related downloads:
Sentinel Photo
Hundreds of people attended the funeral of 11-year-old Alex Garcia on Thursday, Sept. 3. He was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro.
Source:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
