Fond memories of My Friend Al

Al and I met at Tahoe Forest Hospital, he was replacing my friend Janina as the courier.  He was or appeared at that time to be shy a little reserved, so quiet.  I teased him constantly; eventually he started teasing me back.  I can always remember him saying "Willie you have a lot of work, you better get on it "jokingly of course.”  We sat together at the one Christmas party I attended at the Hilton for our hospital and talked quite a while.  But we really grew quite close when I was transferred to the Incline Village Hospital from Truckee.  I never really got to visit Truckee that much after I left my car was on and still on its last leg, as AL would say.  Since I was in a new place and a little nervous about not being with my friends at TFHD.  It was a joy when AL would enter, sometimes like a bull in a china shop.  I would always laugh and say geez Al do you think you can be a little louder.  We would laugh and his face would get so red, and then for some reason mine did too.  Of course he would walk in sometimes and say "why is your face so red Willie,” you having another one of those HOT FLASHES, and no matter what kind of music I was listening to Al would say, Geez Willie how old school can you get? On paydays AL would tease me that he had forgotten to bring my paycheck.  But everyday up to payday would say "I know, I know, pick up your paycheck. "One day he came sneaking in, put my paycheck in my drawer when I wasn't looking, Well I was drawing a patient so I did not see if he had it or not and usually, he would show me the manila envelope and say something like, "Now we can eat another week Willie."  Well this time he just left, Oh no, about 20 minutes later he calls me and says, oh you paycheck is in your drawer,  Gotcha. After every weekend, he would tell me what shenanigans he got into.  He would tell me about skiing in the inter, how he couldn't wait to see his family, girls he thought were cute, and his Toe Jammer games.  He always was up to something.  He said I needed to get out more.  Al would call me sometimes after the first run from Truckee to Incline on the road and say "Hey Willie how bout letting Quest take specimens to Truckee this afternoon, I really have something cool I'm doing whatever it was, I never said no.  He knew I had a soft spot.  Sometimes when he waited for me to finish processing what I needed to sent to Truckee, he would ask if it was ok for me to park my junker at the incline hospital, you know for cosmetic reasons.  I would just look at him and smile.  And some days he would say" How was your walk this morning?  I saw your car parked at your house, broken down again???  I got off work at 3:30 usually the time he was leaving here, I would thumb and he almost always picked me up.  Sometimes he would honk and wave and start laughing at me.  But most times he picked me up and put in whatever he was listening to, I even had to finish listening to a song before he let me out, you know so I could know what people were listening to these days.  Yeah, whatever Al, and I would shut the door.  Then he would honk right when I got out to make me jump.  He would always talk to me, the only days he didn't is if I was too busy, but he would always wave and smile.  One day he was dropping supplies off for me and I emptied the cart while he went upstairs.  I left the cart where he had it, and he asked me where the supplies were, I just told him I didn't know what supplies he was referring to.  He would go back to the truck, "No I am sure I brought them in"  I could never keep a straight face long enough for him to believe me. Sometimes people would tell me how shy Al is …...what? Al is always going to have a special place in my heart, he was like my kid.  He would always get lectures about being careful.  But AL lived like a character in a movie, or a book, he went at life with a passion whatever he did.  He taught me more than I ever taught him, I'm sure of that.  And I will miss him dearly.  Our last conversation in this world was Fri August 21, he told me that he was going to get a chocolate lab puppy and drive somewhere like Fresno or some distance to get it.  I told him to be careful and he said you love you dog so much maybe a dog would settle me down some.  We just looked at each other and smiled. I had a dream about him the other night, he came in the Lab, in his quiet way (ha), ringing the chimes, and sat down in a chair by the door.  I was crying at my desk, He said, "Willie knock that off, you're freaking me out" and smiled.  The dream felt so real, I realized it was just the chimes in my window with the gentle breeze from the lake.  The next day my grief for his family and him and all of his friends whom are in pain became a huge prayer, and this letter.  Now whenever I hear the chimes near my window and door at the lab, I will always think of AL with wonderful memories and happy thoughts and peace for his many many friends.  My life was better having known him. Ms Willie Lostlen Tahoe Forest Hospital, Incline Village

Al, I will never forget the way you lived your life always looking at the bright side of things, ready for whatever was about to come your way. Being a generous friend was second nature to you, sharing experiences with the people closest to you and being fully there with everyone at every moment. I remember the night before you passed you told me about how much you loved your life.... your job was perfect, you loved Tahoe, your family & friends....your life style was set for a king and you lived like one, as you should. You have inspired me to live the same... Al you've taught me through your life and through your death that life is what you make of it, you can go big any time you want, you just have to want it! Thanks Al you're a great friend :)  PS: Thanks for all the snow this week! I know you are floatin it up there, “Go Big” speed racer!     Lydia

Dear Nelson,

I have never met you but when you were last visiting San Francisco Al came to meet up with me and eat Sushi and we went out in the city, because I live in SF now, I think you guys had something else to do that night... anyway ...

I originally met Al in Truckee, I was born and raised there and spent a lot of time there in the last year. I met Al skiing one night through friends. We developed a pretty close friendship and I really admired his approach on dealing with things in a mature manner. I admired the fact that he never passed judgment. Which this day and age is really easy to do. And he also shared with me the different dreams and aspirations he had with school- skiing - his love for music. I was in Indonesia last month and got a text message from Al stating, "I just saw you sister working at the hospital, and your brother playing music in the park? Where's Melissa?" And I texted him back — Al I am in Indonesia, wish I was there with all you guys, but I am coming to Truckee next week call you then." The very last thing on earth was ever thinking for two seconds that Al would not be here when I made it back to the country. I found out moments before I left Indonesia to come to SF--- I could not believe my eyes. Al is one of the most athletically talented people I have ever met in many ways, and very bright. I heard him speak of you and his mother and his sister many times..... and I can promise he is watching over you. My Mom passed away two years ago, I can assure you she is taking care of him. She could throw back flips of cliffs on here skis and I know her and Al would make great friends. That is what I have been thinking to myself.... I am very jet lagged and tired, but I have been thinking of Al, your family and all of his friends a lot. I think my sister Kacie sent you flowers, and I have it on my to-do list to send flowers as well, but my sister mentioned you guys might be in Truckee already. Al is a very loved man, many people have him in mind. You’re in my prayers every single day. And I send you all the best energy I can gather together. I know many lives were shocked from this tragedy. Thank you for all the love spread through Al, and best of luck to your family. Hang in there and watch for the signs he sends you.

My Best, Melissa Hope/Dennison

Dear Nelson, 

There's not a day that goes by that I'm not touching something Al touched. I have had to drive his van in his absence lately and I still find stuff related to Al. He made quite an impression with me. You should be proud. You and Susan raised a fine, adventurous and very sweet young man. I really miss him.

Take care, John Ares, Tahoe Forest Hospital