 His legacy |
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email from Carol
To: <regina777@myway.com>
Subject: anthony - for website/blog, if you like.
Creator, Thank You for another day on Mother Earth
and the gift of life.
Thank You for Blessings seen and unseen.
Thank You for all that has come, all that is now,
and all that is to come.
Hello Regina,
Hope all is well with you and your family.
I know it has been some time since I have emailed you- so I'm catching up today -forgive my lengthy entry - yet my spirit felt I needed to write to you with thesewords.
Have been busy with Indigenous/Native American issues -
our Tribe being the historical, state-recognized Indigenous Tribe of Los Angeles and many surrounding areas.
Additionally, since my father died at the end of last year, and my cancer 'coming and going', I have had a 'full plate'.... and sometimes it seems with 'NO utensils.'
Life can change at any moment - and sometimes you feel empty-handed .... even with much love, faith and prayers.
.... And then, out of nowhere you find your timing, and suddenly you have a 'whole set of utensils.'
~
I read your email, finally,and went to the website/blog for your son Anthony......looked at the whole thing.....and viewed all the photos.
I had only met your son 1 time .... at your wedding to Ismael.
I remembered back to that time.... images flashing in my head.
I don't remember if it was during the toast or later on but, I remember Anthony saying good / positive things - he looked happy, and happy for you.
Then, I read the blog page.
Up until reading the page, I had not known the circumstances involving Anthony's death.
I understand much better now, and I tell you, you did the right thing bywriting and getting everything out of you. I felt it.
Better it on a page than staying embedded in your heart - for you and your son's sake. Even though your heart might feel as if
there is a weight inside filled with sadness, frustration,and loss,
your son's Spirit will always be in your heart to lift, guide and love.
My friend, I send prayers and love to you and your family.
My heart grew full with wanting to do something for you.... yet, I did not know what, other than praying and emailing.
I noticed in the blog, someone said Anthony liked to "debate and discuss politics and religion."
Then, I remembered a story you told me about Anthony, a few years back, when we used to work at the doctor's office in Santa Monica. You told me Anthony had at one time seen an image of Jesus or Mary, I can't remember which now, on a screen door.
I very much related to that story, as things such as this I have seen too...........and I know reading about it, and seeing it are two different things.....(sometimes hard for people to understand, and/or understand thestoryteller. )
I said at the time of our conversation, that things such as this are meant as a message, and your son must be a spiritual person or
at a spiritual point in his life. You answered, and began to tell me with bright eyes about Anthony.
As I read the blog entries, the first one was "STRONGER TOMORROW," the second, 'BE THANKFUL.'
As I continued to read the entries, I came upon 'Fabian's email about his accident.'
These entries, .... this is where Anthony's Spirit touched mySpirit.....and it could not have been at a better time....
TIMING, I TELL YOU - the Creator & Great Spirit in their Wisdom.
You see, just yesterday, I received the long awaited results of my Petscan - (CatScan/Bone Imaging , all in one test.)
The results were not good.
In fact, it was the worst report of my prognosis to date in 4 1/2 years since I have been on chemo, and since June 2003 - 5 years since being diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I will spare the details, yet just know, medically speaking only of course, I was not expected to live even 2 years since being diagnosed.
As you can imagine, I was not in the best frame of mind after hearing and seeing the results. Enough of this disease already!
Did not want to tell anyone the results at this point - had a hard time digesting it myself. Did not want to have to repeat the unwanted results over and over again, to each person Iknew.
I tell you - I have been the 'Poster Child for Positiveness' for many years now -
and I was hoping to give up my 'Poster Child position' this year.
But I just felt as though 'my well had just run dry' - mentally & physically.
And to think, I'm usually called the 'Energizer Bunny.'.......................... .......................................and that's when my seemingly 'full plate' found a 'set of utensils' in Anthony's words.
Through my heartache and frustration, I read the words of
Anthony Chapa - a person I did not know .... only knew of -
Stronger tomorrow
You can hide things about yourself from just about anyone, but you can’t really hide them from yourself. You know what you’re up to, and that’s important. Because the person you are to become tomorrow is always watching the person you are today.
How can you live this day so that your future self will find strength and inspiration? What can you do that will make the person you’ll be tomorrow proud to have been the person you are today?
You know who youare right now, you know what you’re doing, what your motivations are, what kind of attitude you maintain. You know and control the real you. Let the person you are today push you forward, positively into the future. Soon you’ll look back on today, and what you see can either give you strength or bring you regret. Choose your actions so that what you do today will truly make you stronger tomorrow.
~
.... as I said to you years ago Regina, your son is a spiritual person.
He will continue to touch those who come to this website/blog more than anyone will ever know.
I pray for guidance and protection for you along your journey for the answers you seek.
I pray these answers will come swift with comforting peace to
soothe your heart and spirit.
MANY BLESSINGS OF PEACE, HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL WHO COME TO THIS WEBSITE/BLOG.
~ Carol
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Remembering Anthony
To Where You Are / by Teri Jo Overacker (Close Friend and Confidant )
To Where You Are
Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memory's so clear
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are my
Forever love
And you are watching over me
From up above
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me
Everyday
Cause you are my forever love
Watching me from up above
And I believe that angels breath
And that love will live on and never leave
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
Love In Christ,
Teri Jo
To Our Brother
Oh, how we love you in such a special way
"Our older Brother"
How we always looked up to you. How we always thanked you for all the
counseling and advice. Now - today our eyes overflow with rivers
of tears (mom's too). Our minds are so grieved with sorrow - we miss
you so. Our loss can not be comprehended. Someday we will
be more composed and your spirit of love, joy, and sharing will
help us tell "Cyrus" and little "Eric" of your greatness, your achievements,
amazing kindness toward people, your risky travels, and your special love
for family. We will relieve laughs, many celebrations you helping Mom with
good holiday cooking, and the time we've been blessed together
here on earth.
With LOVE always,
Erika & Josh
From Anthony's Dad:
First, let me say I love my Son beyond compare. These are my words concerning the passing of My Beautiful Son.
We mourn, yet not the deceased but we mourn for ourselves, our loss. My Son sits now in one of my Father's rooms, for as the Bible has stated: In My House there are many rooms. Anthony is there now, he would want me to know that he has now gone through the threshold from this troubled place, to the safety of Our Father's house. His worries are no more, his depression is also gone. He is surrounded by loving hands all about him, his heart is home with the Father.
Speaking of his heart -- those who knew Anthony knew his heart well, its innocence, its ever abundance and his openly giving of that abundance. He had a beautiful smile which magically touched the patients he cared for as well as his co-workers. He loved the little ones, he felt at home with children for he was even at his age a child.
My Son has gone to be with Our Father in Heaven, this I know. I spoke with my son often of Christ, of prayer and this he accepted with his heart. He prayed much in those last days. He has gone to the place I myself pray to proceed to. I see him in my mind's eye saying "Hey, Dad, I'm okay. I'm here, I'll wait for you, 'Be of strong Faith, Dad'." Yes, there is but joy I should feel, for he is free. I mourn for myself for I have been taught this in this world, yet it is joy I need to express, so please join me in entering into the joy of his passing from this world to Our Father's House.
Anthony's Father on earth,
Forever, Michael Chapa
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My Beloved son
In my heart are a million things to say about your beautiful soul, your compassion, your kindness, your childlike enthusiasm, your wonderful big smile, your arcticulate nature and adventourous spirit, your intelligence, your sensitivity and many other gifts. At an earlier period in your life, your great courage in dealing with the pain of addiction and all the struggles that came with it. There were a couple of times earlier in your life where you would fall again, yet you always did get back up succesfully, with courage and strength, ready to work again on fulfilling your dreams. I am so very proud of you. You have fought a good fight.
Even though you left us so suddenly and we did not have a chance to say good bye and tell you how much we love you. And even though we still don't understand what happened to you, the circumstances surounding your death have remainded unknown to us, and while here on earth we may not come to know all the truth about the last moments of you life. While this is very difficult, I know you are in God's hands and all the circumstances surrounding your death are now in God's hands as well.
Over the recent weeks I kept coming across hearing a particular song and whenever I did, it made me think about you . It reassured me of a truth I have long believed and even in our last conversations with each other I mentioned to you, that God had a special purpose for you here on earth, to counsel and minister to other people in a way only you could. But as it is, I kept postponing to share more with you, as I intended to do. And now you have left this earth so quickly. Nevertheless, I believe as you now rest and are being healed in the loving arms of God, his plan for you is still being fulfilled and in His own divine mysterious way you will still be helping and counseling those in need, in whichever way that might take place, I undoubtedly believe it to be so.
As I was driving in the beginning of this week listening to the radio, thinking of what songs to choose to be played at your memorial, the same song was playing on the radio again and I believe it's lyrics are a special message from you, Anthony, to your sister Erika, your brother Josh, Adrienne, John Claude, Teri, your stepfather and stepmother and your father and I, as well as all of your wonderful friends and family gathered here today, or with us in thought and spirit, as we are all grieving the loss of you prescence in this world.
So please, all of you gathered her, please listen to the words of this song, to take in it's deeper message to you from Anthony , even as it is a message from God to all humanity, for He is El Shaddai and his Love and Mercies are everlasting for us all.
Anthony, we love you.
May the Blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be upon you as you continue your journey through eternity.
Your loving Mother forever
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Below is an email Anthony sent to us a few days before he left this earth. It is and inspiration and food for thought for all of us:
Anthony's Email, sent Nov 21 2006
-----Original Message-----
From: achapa74@hotmail.com
To: cicichapa@yahoo.com; adrienne83@myway.com; cindyklange@yahoo.com; rexi777@aol.com; toveracker@hotmail.com; maelo_pr@hotmail.com
Sent: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 7:12 PM
Subject: Stronger tomorrow
You can hide things about yourself from just about anyone, but you can't really hide them from yourself. You know what you're up to, and that's important. Because the person you are to become tomorrow is always watching the person you are today.
How can you live this day so that your future self will find strength and inspiration? What can you do that will make the person you'll be tomorrow proud to have been the person you are today?
You know who you are right now, you know what you're doing, what your motivations are, what kind of attitude you maintain. You know and control the real you. Let the person you are today push you forward, positively into the future. Soon you'll look back on today, and what you see can either give you strength or bring you regret. Choose your actions so that what you do today will truly make you stronger tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remembering Anthony ---- by Buck Buchanan
My name is Buck Buchanan, and I worked with Anthony at the hospital in Cheyenne. Anthony and I both worked the night shift, and I had been working with him only a short time when I realized he was one of the best respiratory therapists I'd ever been around. In fact, early in our friendship I told Anthony that he should consider trying to get into medical school.
That's how good of a health care professional I thought Anthony was.
We are here today to remember Anthony, and I am certain that at the top of his own list of ways we should remember him, is that he earnestly tried to be the best respiratory therapist his skills and God would allow.
He served his community well, and there are countless people in Wyoming, at this very moment, living a little better life and breathing a little easier because of Anthony's work and dedication.
I will always remember Anthony's smile and laugh. They were like some kind of soothing medicine, and anybody that was lucky enough to get a dose of it, instantly knew the meaning of the lyrics from that old song that claimed,"...when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you..."
I will always remember Anthony's charm. His mere presence somehow made you feel better, and the grind that life sometimes deals us quickly waned whenever Anthony was at your side. Whenever he greeted you, you knew life was getting ready to get interesting. You knew you were about to hear about some news story that had gotten Anthony's attention or about some adventure trip that he and Adrienne had taken or about some whacky website that he had found. And as you sat there and listened to him, you could not help but realize you were being charmed.
I will always remember Anthony's intellect. He was somewhat of a newshound, but he never settled for just the headlines of what some blow-dried newscaster was telling him. He always dug a little bit deeper, he always checked the facts.
I will always remember Anthony as a well-traveled young man. He spent time (to name just a few)in California, the East Coast, Alaska, Arizona nad finally Wyoming. And because of his travels, I believe Anthony had an uncanny read on our country's pulse.
I will always remember Antony's love and longing for his son, Cyrus, who for the last few years has been a thousand miles away, but always played on Anthony's heart strings, each and every day. On his locker at work Anthony had taped two pictures : One of Cyrus, the other was of Anthony holding Cyrus.
I will always remember Anthony's Love for his mother Regina, his father Mike, his sister Erika and his brother Josh. He spoke lovingly and he spoke often of you all. He had unrivaled and passionate family pride.
I will always remember Anthony's Love for the outdoors and of fishing. On one fishing trip it occured to me that Anthony approached fishing with the anticipation and the enthusiasm of a kid. It was as if Christmas time was under that water. And he was a good fisherman, too. He always seemed to catch more than anybody else who was fishing with him. And I know of one small lake , just outside of Cheyenne, and just below a beautiful mesa, where the fish, upon hearing the news that Anthony has left us, are now breathing a collective sigh of relief.
I will always remember Anthony as one of my best billiard buddies. He loved the game, but I am not sure why he wanted to play with me, because frequently and resoundingly I took him to the cleaners. But like some little puppy he just kept coming back for more. He wouldn't give up. So Anthony, if you're listening and if there are pool tables on the other side, then go ahead and rack'em up, pal. I'm not sure when I'll get there, but when I do, I look forward to giving yo the chance to even the score.
I will always remember Anthony as one heck of a cook. He constantly pursued knowledge of the culinary world, and I will never forget the pasta with basil pesto he made on the fly for several of us afater we'd all been out on the town. I can almost taste it now.
I will remember all of these things about Anthony, and I will also remember him with his girlfriend Adrienne. They were a handsome couple. And let it be known that the glitzy, young Hollywood couples that fill the tabloids have nothing on these two. Anthony's and Adrienne's good looks, their earthiness and their humility puts them all to shame.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is an email Anthony sent to us a few days before he left this earth. It is and inspiration and food for thought for all of us:
Anthony's Email, sent Nov 21 2006
-----Original Message-----
From: achapa74@hotmail.com
To: cicichapa@yahoo.com; adrienne83@myway.com; cindyklange@yahoo.com; rexi777@aol.com; toveracker@hotmail.com; maelo_pr@hotmail.com
Sent: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 7:12 PM
Subject: Stronger tomorrow
You can hide things about yourself from just about anyone, but you can't really hide them from yourself. You know what you're up to, and that's important. Because the person you are to become tomorrow is always watching the person you are today.
How can you live this day so that your future self will find strength and inspiration? What can you do that will make the person you'll be tomorrow proud to have been the person you are today?
You know who you are right now, you know what you're doing, what your motivations are, what kind of attitude you maintain. You know and control the real you. Let the person you are today push you forward, positively into the future. Soon you'll look back on today, and what you see can either give you strength or bring you regret. Choose your actions so that what you do today will truly make you stronger tomorrow.
Counting Our Blessings
We give thanks and praises to GOD for the testimony of Anthony's life.
His legacy is expressed in his compassion, sincere caring and loyality to family, friends, special relationships and people he met.
The character attributes we mentioned honors some of his gifts to us and will testify as a living memorial as we remember him as a son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, husband, dad, uncle,and a friend to humanity.
* Anthony possessed a tender sensitive spirit that allowed him to see the needs of others.
* With patience and determination he reached out to help and nurture others.
* In a gentle manner, he had a strength that was
amazing -- (you, know, we all fall down, and we get up again) yes, Anthony got up again, again, and again.
* We are proud of his courage to pursue excellence.
* Anthony was very intelligent he went back to school and graduated as a Respiratory Therapist with honors. He was given the opportunity as a Respiratory Therapist to train with Anesthesiologists to assist in surgery procedures. He completed this training with honors and worked in the medical field in the states of Arizona, Virginia and Wyoming.
Our Father - we again thank you for reminding us of these treasured gifts - the fruit of your Holy Spirit in Anthony's life. We remember that only what is done for Christ wil last. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Lovingly The Family
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