Gift of Life Child Justin Acosta - Day 29

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 

It's Wednesday morning and heading out to work; but before I leave, I am checking my e-mails. Dulce is on her way upstairs to get milk for Justin. She said Justin did not sleep at all last night, which means Dulce did not sleep either. Before I left for work, I asked Dulce if she would like to go to church with me, as they are having a mass for Lucy. It is one year to the day that Lucy died. Dulce said she would like to go. I said I would be home about 11:30; Mass was at 12:15.

I arrived home at 11:30 and picked up Dulce and Justin, My son, Steve, just arrived. He is going with us. We arrive at Saint Joe's, and because the church is being renovated, they are holding Mass in the Chapel. I thought this is good because their will only be a few people. Instead, to my pleasant surprise, the chapel was packed. I was so happy for Lucy. Another nice surprise is that Father Mike was visiting from another Parish and asked to say Mass. Father Mike was one of three Father Mikes that were on the pastoral staff about fifteen years ago, the most prominent of the three was Father Michael Judge, the priest who perished in 9/11. He was at that time pastor of a church in New York and chaplain for the New York Fire Department.

Remember that man upstairs? He is still working for the Fort Lee Rotary. While in the chapel, a young lady sat next to me. I did not know her, but she did know Lucy. I explained to Father Mike about Justin and the Gift of Life. He was elated to hear about the Rotary doing such kind deeds. The next word I hear is from the young lady next to me. She said that she and her husband were a host family for a young girl from the Philippines three years ago. I told her how our club hosted a girl from the Philippines four years ago. She told me her daughter just left for college and she has an empty bedroom and she thinks it's time to host another child. How about it guys? Shall we spring for another child?  

We left chapel and about ten of us went to the Meadowlands Diner.  Lillian was unable to join us at the diner as she had a previous appointment. Now, I know I told you the diner is being renovated, but they are still open for business. We had a nice lunch with very dear friends of Lucy. We talked about the GOL; we talked about Dulce, Justin, and the rest of her family. They wanted to know everything about the GOL and the Acosta Family.

Here's another short story. After finishing lunch, my son, Steve, was leaving and he wanted to pay his share so he left $12.00 on the table I tried to give it back, he said leave it as a tip. I'm sitting there thinking Jim and Marie Doyle paid the bill and left a tip. Justin was automatically $12.00 richer.

It's funny how things happen. I was coming home from Fort Lee this morning and I get a call from Betsy Thomason. I haven't talked to Betsy in many months, but she called today. Betsy is a Rotarian and she provided Lucy with a breathing machine while Lucy was sick. I believe Betsy wants to speak to club on this subject. You will find it very interesting.

Oh? Every once in a while Dulce will start singing to Justin.  I would run upstairs and ask her if she is okay and should I call a doctor.

I, we, have so much to be thankful for, especially when strangers come from a foreign land. They seem to help fill a void in our lives, making it more bearable.

Every year since Lu and I vacationed in Hawaii, I have been ordering flowers for her from a shop in Maui. They arrived today. Stop in and smell the flowers.

Yours in Rotary,

John Koch