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This memorial website was created to honor the memory of our beloved son and brother, Eddy Vargas who was born in El Paso, Texas on September 12, 1988 and went to heaven on July 20, 2005 at the age of 16. We will remember him forever.
Eddy was the light of our lives, now he lights up the heavens.
We'll Love and Miss You Eddy Always and Forever!!!
The green ribbon symbolizes the continuation of life that is organ and tissue donation. Eddy decided to be an organ donor. He always helped people, even if he didn't know them, he had a big heart, and he gave the ultimate gift in his death. The Gift Of Life.
Thanks to the Trevizo Kids.
A Mothers Pain
You see me smiling.
What you don't see is that I am screaming behind that smile .
You see me go on with
everything....work....groceries.....life in general.
What you don't see is that it takes every ounce of energy
I have just to breathe.
You see me alone with my thoughts.
What you don't see is me talking to Him
You see me say "I am fine".
What you don't see is the huge hole in my heart that can never be filled.
You see me and think "she's back to normal".
What you don't see is that there is no normal for me anymore. You see me and think "Oh my God I hope this never happens to me"
What you don't see is that as much as I long for you to
understand me... I hope this never happens to you either.
You see me joking and laughing with others and think she
must be getting over what has happened.
What you don't see is that I can never forget, nor would I want to, you don't get over the loss of a child.
You see me sad and don't know what to say so you keep going.
What you don't see is all I really want is for you to ask how I am doing, really, and give me a hug.
You see that life goes on.
What you don't see is on July 20, 2005 that the life I had will never be the same .
You see that I am strong...... do not be deceived.
What you don't see is that I am weak and weary. Some days "I am 6 feet from the edge".
What you see is a mask....a lie. The mask helps you cope with me and me cope with myself.
What you don't see is the raw sometimes unbearable pain.
You don't see me being unable to breathe.
What you don't see is my despair. You don't see me screaming to heaven for God to give my son back.
What you don't see you could never understand anyway unless you walk a mile in my shoes.... God Forbid.
My son was a good kid in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One Saturday night in July, as he went around the corner to get ice cream, he was assaulted by teenage gang members, they allegedly confronted Eddy and asked for gold chains and earrings.
He was hit near the eyebrow, with the butt of a gun. He fell, struck his head and was knocked unconscious. (This happened in Juarez, Mexico)
He died of head injuries three days later. He was declared brain dead. My husband and I were asked on that terrible day if we would consider donating some of Eddy's organs, we didn't hesitate. We didn't need to speak about it, because we know what Eddy's wanted.
One day Eddy was watching the movie John Q about a father fighting for a heart transplant for his son.My husband asked Eddy what he thought about it, and he said he would like to be a donor. He had a very big heart.
I weep for my son who should never have died so young, but I applaud his spirit. And I cry tears of joy for the people who live because of him.
Although his life was cut short, I believe Eddy's spirit live on in those people, as well as in the people who knew and loved him. To loss a child it's the hardest thing you could go through, but we look forward to another day, knowing we have each other, a wonderful daughter, to kiss each day and a son in heaven, we will see again, someday.
We know God has a plan for all of us, He knows what He is doing. We will never know why we lost Eddy. We just have to believe God knew what He is doing. We miss Eddy everyday.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and their shall be no more death,
neither sorrow or crying,
neither shall there be any more pain:
For the former things are passed away.
Rev. 21:4
THE BROKEN CHAIN
We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
--Author Unknown
There is a family who misses you
And finds time long since you went.
We think of you daily and hourly,
But try to be brave and content.
Tears that we shed are in silence,
And we breath a sigh of regret,
For you were ours, and we remember,
Though all the world forget.
(article from the local newspaper)
He Had a Very Big Heart
Lenny Jurado and Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Standing 6 feet 3 inches, El Paso High School basketball player Eddy Vargas was big on the court, but his caring personality stood taller, family and friends said Wednesday.
"He had a very big heart. He liked to help people," Eddy's mother, Cristina Vargas, said.
Eddy Vargas, 16, suffered a fatal head injury when he was assaulted, family members say, by teenage gang members Saturday night in Juárez around the corner from his parents' home. Vargas, who was born in El Paso and lived with his grandparents here, was known to give some of his clothes and toys to the children of his parents' neighborhood in Juárez, family said.
Eddy was declared brain-dead Tuesday at Thomason Hospital. He was taken off life support Wednesday afternoon after surgery to remove four organs for donation.
"Todo mundo en Juárez el queria ayudar," Juan Manuel Vargas said, describing his only son's desire to help the "entire world" in Juárez. The couple also have a 13-year-old daughter, Brenda.
"I'll be right back," Eddy Vargas told his parents Saturday night as he walked out with a few buddies to get ice cream around the corner from his parents' home.
Gang members allegedly confronted Eddy Vargas and asked for gold chains and earrings, his family said. "Que barrio? (What neighborhood?)," the gang members reportedly asked him.
Vargas was hit near the eyebrow, possibly with the butt of a gun, his mother said. He fell, struck his head and was knocked unconscious.
The 16-year-old alleged gang member has been identified by Juárez police, but his entire family appeared to have moved out of town when police tried to arrest him at his home Tuesday, Juan Vargas said he was told by police.
Eddy Vargas was transferred to Thomason Hospital, and loved ones were optimistic he would survive. Though unconscious much of the time, he was able to recognize his longtime girlfriend, Allison Mora.
"The last time I talked with him (Sunday), I told him I'd come back at 8 o'clock (Monday morning) to see him. He said, 'OK, I love you. Bye,' " Mora said.
Friends and teammates gathered at Mora's house Wednesday, remembering a youth who was enamored of his Euro-style Mitsubishi Eclipse and loved basketball almost as much as he loved his girlfriend.
"This was a big surprise for all of us," said Freddy Dominguez, a friend from Vargas' car club, Team Dynamic. "I didn't think something like this would happen to Eddy. He was a really nice guy who always stayed out of trouble."
Vargas was known for his smile, which seemed fixed no matter what the circumstances, whether it was hugging his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years or running extra laps during basketball practice.
As a basketball player, Vargas was a rarity at El Paso High School. "El Grande." He was one of the school's tallest students, and he was talented enough to earn a varsity spot as a freshman.
A Philadelphia 76ers fan, Vargas dreamed of playing at the University of North Carolina and making it to the NBA.
To El Paso High School varsity boys basketball coach Mark Reynolds, Vargas was "off-the-chart gold."
"I had upperclassmen who looked up to him. Eddy strived to do better and worked and had fun. He had fun with life and knew that life was for a purpose -- to give. He even had a talk with his dad a week before this happened and said he'd be happy to donate his organs," Reynolds said.
Teammates were quick to recognize Vargas' concern for others.
"When we were losing, he'd get us to play," teammate Eric Saenz, a senior, said. "We'd argue amongst each other, but he'd never get mad. He was the heart of the team."
It was that compassion that packed the Thomason Hospital lobby with what seemed like all of El Paso.
"There were a lot of kids at the hospital, and they were there for three days," said DJ Mora, Allison's mother. "There were parents, kids, coaches... there were so many people there that many of them had to sit on the floor.
Added Reynolds, who said he lived at Thomason for three days, "It was evident how many lives he touched. It was amazing."
Although Vargas' passing was a tragedy, his friends hope a positive message can be learned from his death.
"I think we're going to get something good out of this," said Tiger basketball player Aaron Ponce, a senior. "It's going to help us all out. All these years we've been playing together and we're always fighting with each other, but I think this will give us more respect for each another and our opinions. We're going to do the best we can this upcoming season for him.
We're going to try to win a championship for him. That's what he always wanted, to win one championship."
Appreciating life, Mora said, would be the perfect way to honor a boy who was never caught frowning.
"I hope this is a big eye-opener for kids who think it can't happen to them," she said.
"For me, saying goodbye to him then not seeing him anymore ... it opens your eyes. It shows you how precious life is and how quickly it can leave."
Cristina Vargas said she feels a sense of comfort that her son was able to help others even in death.
"I never felt anger against" the attackers, she said calmly. "I knew God had a plan. ... When (Eddy) was born, the nurse told me, 'This boy will be somebody special.' I have always remembered that and now I understand." 
Eddy always was so proud to be tiger.
 
His favorite music..
  
 
His favorite food....
  
His favorite brands...
  
His car...
 
They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way we feel,
For no-one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No-one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without
Only The Best
A heart of gold stopped beating,
two shining eyes at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove,
He only takes the best.
God knows you had to leave us,
but you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you,
the day He took you home.
To some you are forgotten,
to others just part of the past,
but to us who loved and lost you,
the memory will always last.
A DAD'S GRIEF
It must be very difficult
to be a man in grief
since men don't cry and men are strong
no tears can bring relief.
It must be very difficult
to stand up to the test
and take the calls and visitors
so she can get some rest
They always ask if she's all right
and what she's going through
but seldom take his hand and ask
"My friend, but how are you?"
He hears her crying in the night
and thinks his heart will break
he dries her tears and comforts her
but stays strong for her sake
It must be very difficult to start each day anew
and try to be so very brave
He lost his baby too.
-Anonymous-
Eddy's Dad Tatoo.
Eddy is also remembered in the followed sites:
http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/treasuredthoughts/memorials5.html#EddyVargas
http://www.rememberingourangels.piczo.com/?cr=4&rfm=y
http://angelsforlauren.com/wall11.html
http://moms.memorial-of-love.net/momsrm2xx.html
http://www.we-remember-them.com/showdata.php?section=3
SAFELY HOME
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus'love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus'arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus'land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!
"Yet those who wait for the Lord
will gain new strength;
they will mount up with wings
like eagles,they will run and not
get tired, they will walk and
not become weary.
--Isaiah 40:31
Dear God, thank you for all the memories I have of my Eddy, sometimes I'm so angry, so sad, feel so alone, my faith is not so strong, and every day I ask why ?
I know you understand my pain. You're a God of Love.
For now I can't understand, please forgive me and please take care of my baby until we meet again, you know how much I love him, how much I miss him and how much I need him. Please give him a big hug and a big kiss for me.
Thank you my God.
Eddy, you'll always be my baby, MI NIÑO PRECIOSO.
Forever your mom.
Oh God, let this flame kindle in me the
assurance of your presence, let it warm
my soul so that I might find courage,
strength and hope in each hour that you
walk with me.
Fill me with your light and guide Eddy to
that light eternal.
Amen.
  
I know you lived your lifetime
As short as that seems to me,
But the pain in my heart is still so great,
Yet I know your spirit is free.
At times I think I hear you
The thoughts come to my mind.
I struggle for the sound of your voice,
But your voice I cannot find.
Yet you come to me in many ways
So I know you did not die,
You want to tell me that you’re close,
And to please stop asking Why.
Our lives on earth seem all too brief,
Or brief as it seems to me.
But where you are is forever,
God calls that Eternity!
I miss you Eddy
every minute of
every hour of
every day....
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
Psalm 23
MY CHILD
On the day God took you
I thought that I would die
I wondered where the time went?
I asked alot of whys??
With people all around me
I felt alone inside
From all their words of comfort,
I couldn't seem to hide,
I thought I might be dreaming
That I'd wake and find you here,
I thought "This can't be happening."
As I wiped another tear.
On the day that you were laid to rest
My heart broke yet again,
I wondered if the pain would end,
Bust mostly, I wondered when??
It's hard to be without you,
At times the days seem long,
Sometimes I just sit crying,
When there's really nothing wrong.
I wish we'd had more time,
Before your life was done.
I hope your resting peacefully,
My precious son
Unknown
All heaven was in mourning,
the day that young man died;
When he closed his eyes, they said,
Ten thousand angels cried.
The angels shed their many tears,
Because he was God's Son;
But there is a special sadness
when God takes the very young.
At times like that, I question God,
Why let a child die?
I cannot understand it,
And I need to ask him why.
I, too, have heard the angels cry,
I've heard them cry first-hand;
For I, too, gave up a child,
And I've tried hard to understand.
Yes, I've received God's comfort,
Though I'm grateful, I want more;
I want reasons; I want meaning,
I'm a parent who's heart-sore.
God can give and God can take,
I am well aware of this;
But, why my baby ... why my child?
Why did God put him on his list?
Did I love my child too much?
Was he too good for this earth?
Had his purpose here been filled?
Was that why he was taken first?
I awake each day with questions,
I fall asleep at night, the same;
So many times I ask God "Why?",
I'm both saddened and ashamed.
But then, in reflective moments,
When my prayers are most intense,
One word keeps going though my mind,
Patience ... patience ... patience.
Maybe now is not the time,
To explain this great heartache;
Even if I knew God's reasons,
What difference would it make?
Can't I just be grateful,
For any time we had?
Accept God's action without question?
Why is that so very bad?
What's my hurry ... why my pressure?
Is my faith not strong enough?
God will explain it when He's ready,
Surely I can trust that much.
God understands my broken heart,
He, too, gave up a Son;
He knows the pain of one lost child,
He weeps with me, and we are one.
Just as I talk to God each day,
I talk to my precious child;
I blow him kisses, and I say,
"See you, honey, in a while."
~ Virginia Ellis ~
Copyright © 2000
I miss your laughter, fun, and gentleness.
I miss the things I used to do for you.
I miss the time, now filled with emptiness,
When each day was a stage for something new.
I miss your love, though mine for you remains,
A passion with no outlet to the sea,
A teardrop in a desert, that contains
What's left of my maternal ecstasy.
I miss your presence, like a silent chord
That anchored even solitude in grace.
I miss, for my love's labor, the reward
Of seeing some small pleasure in your face.
All these I miss, and yet they are all here
Within my heart, far more than I can bear.
THE PERFECT ANGEL
I woke up to the sweet smell of the morning rain
and the first thought of the day
was of my angel,
through the clouds I see the
suns rays shining throughout the sky.
My angel lives in my heart,
all throughout the night and day
I think of my angel
Who is my protector,
Who leads me in the right direction..
I thank my angel for being with me
through all my sorrows to lift me up,
to give me courage to go on..
I thank GOD for sending me the perfect angel.
My Mom is a survivor,
or so I've heard it said.
But I can hear her crying at night
when all others are in bed.
I watch her lay awake at night
and go to hold her hand.
She doesn't know I'm with her
to help her understand.
But like the sands on the beach
that never wash away . . .
I watch over my surviving mom,
who thinks of me each day.
She wears a smile for others . . .
a smile of disguise!
But through Heaven's door I see
tears flowing from her eyes.
My mom tries to cope with death
to keep my memory alive.
But anyone who knows her knows
it is her way to survive.
As I watch over my surviving mom
through Heaven's open door . . .
I try to tell her that angels
protect me forevermore.
I know that doesn't help her . . .
or ease the burden she bears.
So if you get a chance, go visit her . . .
and show her that you care.
For no matter what she says . . .
no matter what she feels.
My surviving mom has a broken heart
that time won't ever heal
An emptiness fills the room.
A sorrow fills my soul.
Tears ripple through my body,
Shuddering out of control.
I know that you feel no pain.
Happy in your new home.
But constantly we weep,
Feeling so alone.
We miss your smile,
I really miss your hugs .
I even miss the silliness,
But most of all your love.
I’m sure one day in heaven,
We will all meet again.
But in all honesty Eddy,
Until then I just can’t understand…..
I love you and miss you every day
I think of you in silence,
And no one see me weep.
Because my silent tears are shed
While others are asleep.
God gave me the strength to face the sorrow;
The courage to bear the blow.
But what it meant to lose you,
Only He will ever know.
They say times helps us to forget
But time so far has only proved,
How much we miss you yet.
Author Unknown
When I think of you
my heart bursts with pride
Blessed with a beautiful child
To love and care for 'til you died.
When I think of you
I remember how you taught me about life
Always to cherish such precious moments
For that moment may become the last.
When I think of you
I think of the lessons I've learned
The more a parent gives to their child
The more they receive from their child.
When I think of you
I think how blessed I am
For God to bless me with you
To teach us to love as he loves us.
When I think of you
My memories keep you alive
You are forever in my heart
Forever to be loved and missed ...
Conan Doyle Alldredge
(C) 2005
When You feel Lonely
When a person you love passes away
Look to the night sky on a clear day.
The star that to you, appears to be bright,
Will be your loved one,
Looking upon you during the night.
The lights of heaven are what shows through
As your loved one watches all that you do.
When you feel lonely for the one that you love,
Look to the Heavens in the night sky above.
WHAT IS
A SON?
A SON is someone wonderful
in many different ways,
He has a way of bringing
joyful moments to your days.
A SON shows you a special love
that comes from deep inside,
and as he grows to be a man,
he fills your heart with pride.
With every year that passes,
he's more special than before-
through every stage, through every age-
you love him even more.
Thanks Candy (Kelly's mom) for this beautiful surprise
  
We miss you now, our hearts are sore
As time goes by we miss you more
Your loving smile, your gentle face
No one can fill your vacant place.
A Child Loaned
"I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine," He said,
"For you to love the while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief."
"I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over,
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Not think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him,
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand."
This beautiful smile will be
To Remember Me
At a certain moment, a doctor will determinate that
my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents
and pusposes, my life has stopped.
When that happens, do not attempt to install artificial
life into my body by the use of a machine. And don’t call
this my “ deathbed.” Call it my “bed of life,” and let my
body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.
Give my sight to a man who has never seen a
sunrise, a baby’s face or love in the eyes of a woman.
Give my heart to a person whose own heart
has caused nothing but endless days of pain.
Give my blood to the teenager who has been pulled
from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to
see his grandchildren play.
Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine
to exist from week to week.
Takes my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve
in my body, and find a way to make a crippled child walk.
Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if
necessary, and let them grow so that someday a
speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and
a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her windows.
Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes
to the winds to help the flowers grow.
If you must bury something, let it be my faults,
my weaknesses, and all my prejudice against
my fellow man.
Give my sins to the devil, give my soul to God.
If, by chance, you wish to remember me,
do it with a kind deed or word to someone
who needs you.
If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.
Eddy Vargas
Julio 20, 2005
My baby you'll always be in my heart.
I have to thank God for choose me to be your mom.
I'll be proud of you always.
You was so cute as a baby, as you grow you gave me
precious moments that I'll have in my heart forever.
As a teen I never had a complain about you, you was the
greatest son, the best friend and the best brother.
Thank you my baby for all your beautiful memories,
thank you for all the time that you gave me, thank you
for all your love, thank you for be my son....
forever your mom.
Thank you so much Mr. Mora.
This banner was made by Mr. Mora ( Dad of Eddy's girlfriend) and put at the Gym of El Paso High.
God Bless your heart.
      
  
A Child that loses a parent is an orphan.
A man that loses his wife is a widower.
A woman that loses her husband is a widow.
There is no name for a parent that loses a child.
There is no word to describe the pain.
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me:
I wish you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too:
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity.
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew."
"I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past."
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
I Hurt
I said, "God I hurt"
And God said, "I know"
I said, "I cry alot"
And God said, "Thats why i gave you tears"
I said, "Life is so hard"
And God said, "that's why i gave you loved ones"
I said, "But my loved one died!!"
And God said, "So did mine!!"
I said, "It's such a great loss!!"
And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross!!"
I said, "But your loved one lives!!"
And God said, "So does yours!!"
I said, "Where is he now??"
And God said, "My son is by my side
Your Son is in my arms"
 
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Click here to see Eddy Vargas's Family Tree |
 Tributes and Condolences |
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What a WONDERFUL Poem / Amy Martinez Sis To Angel Kenny Brisby (Passer by )
hello.. you dont know me..i was just passing by lookin at all the wonderful memeories of Eddy. and i got t a certain point of the page.. and it was the poem TO REMEMBER ME.. It hit me hard.. the poem he wrote was absolutley amazaing.. plea...
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THINKING OF YOU FOR EASTER 2009♥ / CATHY~MOM OF DAVID GIRAUD ♫♫
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A special prayer for you.xx. / Helena Card (Friend)
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MERRY CHRISTMAS PRECIOUS EDDY & FAMILY WITH LOVE / LaRaine Mom To Angel Cynthia Hernandez (friend)
WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL & BLESSED CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN PRECIOUS EDDY. YOU WILL FOREVER BE LOVED & MISSED AND WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THROUGH THOSE THAT LOVE YOU. MAY YOUR DAY IN HEAVEN WITH OUR ANGELS BE A SPECIAL DAY WITH OUR LORD UP ABOVE. ...
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MERRY CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN EDDY / TERRI♥MOM TO ANGEL BRENT BOWDEN
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From Our Family to Yours / Family Of William Myers Read >> |
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Sending a Snowman for my Angel Friend Eddy... / Lisa Maas (Angel Friend ) Read >> |
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Happy Thanksgiving / Bridget Dtr Of Allan Peacock (United by angels ) Read >> |
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THINKING OF YOU / THE FAMILY OF BRENT ALLEN BOWDEN Read >> |
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Happy Thanksgiving / Family Of William Myers Read >> |
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN / Family Of William Myers Read >> |
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Love and prayers / Carole Mom To Angel Heather Bates (connected by angels ) Read >> |
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SWEET EDDY VARGAS / Esther Lopez (connected by angel families daughter of Ileana and Joseph ) Read >> |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY / MOM Read >> |
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Happy Fall Eddy with Love! / Melissa Eiler (~Angel Friend~ ) Read >> |
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| His legacy |
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My Final Gift
It is now time for me to move on
into the dusk, but also the dawn.
I will remain as the morning comes,
as I have left behind a gift for someone.
So another may walk, may talk, may see
where something in their life was locked,
I offered them a key.
I am a donor, giving to someone in need,
My final gift, my final deed.
(Article from the local newspaper)
A Special Young Man
Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Jorge Medrano never met Eddy Vargas, but he carefully keeps a black-and-white photocopy of a picture of the slain 16-year-old he credits with saving his life.
Vargas, a 6-foot-3-inch El Paso High School basketball player, died July 20 from injuries suffered when he was beaten by gang members in Juárez. There have been no arrests in the case, his mother said Friday.
Four of Vargas' organs -- his heart, liver and two kidneys -- were donated and saved the lives of four Texans, including Medrano of Central El Paso.
"I'm very grateful. I know there had to be a loss of life in order for myself and others to receive the gift of life," said Medrano, a music lover with an easygoing demeanor whose health has dramatically improved since a July 21 kidney transplant.
Medrano, 42, a diabetic who is 5 feet 3 inches tall, had been waiting on a transplant list since November, and had ballooned to 170 pounds with excess liquid.
"I felt that I would probably end up dying waiting for a kidney," Medrano said. "It was truly a miracle to get the call. I had been very sick that week. For them to call me -- I thought I was dreaming."
Since the surgery, Medrano has lost about 30 pounds, has a soaring energy level and feels "1,000 percent better," he said.
Virginia O'Quinn, a 56-year-old grandmother and former El Pasoan now living in London, Texas, is equally grateful for receiving Vargas' other kidney.
"It is just a miracle," said O'Quinn, who is now able to go inner-tubing with her grandchildren on the Llano River near her Central Texas home.
Vargas "really is a special young man, I think."
Pam Silvestri, spokeswoman for the Southwest Transplant Alliance, said Vargas also saved the lives of a 16-year-old North Texas boy, who received his liver, and a 33-year-old woman, who received his heart. Those recipients could not be reached for comment.
Nationally, about 90,000 people are waiting for organ transplants.
Vargas told his family he wished to be an organ donor while watching the Denzel Washington movie "John Q" about a father desperate to help his son in need of a heart transplant, his parents said.
"I always thought that it was like a small joy in the middle of all this pain," Eddy's mother, Cristina Vargas, said about the organ donation. "It's very beautiful. This was something (Eddy) always wanted. He was the type of person to help all the people that he could."
Donations
For information about how to become an organ or tissue donor, call the Southwest Transplant Alliance at (800) 788-8058, or visit www.organ.org
We are blessing to knowing Mr. Medrano (kidney's recipient) and his family, We are here with them. Jorge's mom, Jorge, his wife Esther, my husband and behind is me.
(Article from the local newspaper)
'Something beautiful'
Donor's family, recipient of teen's heart meet
By Adriana M. Chavez / El Paso Times
Allen, 35, was suffering from cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart, and was in a Dallas area hospital awaiting surgery for a pacemaker when doctors told her she wasn't going to get one.
"I wanted to know why I wasn't going to get my pacemaker, and they told me I was getting a new heart," said Allen, who was first told she would need a heart transplant in 2000.
Allen later learned her new heart had come from 16-year-old Eddy Vargas, an El Paso High School basketball standout who suffered a fatal head injury when he was beaten by gang members in Juarez.
Four of Vargas' organs -- including his heart, liver and two kidneys -- were donated to four Texans, including Jorge Medrano of Central El Paso.
On Saturday afternoon, Allen and Vargas' family met for the first time at El Paso International Airport, a meeting filled with tears and emotion. The two families will also take part in Southwest Transplant Alliance's annual Donor Family Recognition Ceremony at 2 p.m. today at the Vista Hills Country Club.
Before Eddy Vargas' parents, Cristina and Juan Manuel Vargas, and his sister, Brenda, met Allen and her daughter, Angelica, they were nervous but anxious to meet the Allens.
"I'm so happy that in the middle of something so ugly came something so beautiful that has helped another person," Cristina Vargas said.
The Vargas family said Eddy Vargas always liked to help others and would have been happy to see that his organs have saved the lives of four people. It was his wish to become an organ donor.
"I think he's happy right now to see us all here," Cristina Vargas said.
As soon as Allen and her daughter came down the airport escalators, the Vargas family anxiously hugged one another, then walked up to Allen, who was clutching a bouquet for the family.
Cristina Vargas and Allen immediately embraced and broke into tears in front of dozens of airport visitors who had gathered around them, many of them wiping tears from their eyes.
Because Cristina and Juan Manuel Vargas don't speak English and Allen doesn't speak Spanish, Allen said she hoped her gratefulness showed in her emotion.
"From the bottom of my heart, I love you," she told the Vargases.
After a few minutes of embracing and consoling each other, the Vargas family gave Allen a gift -- a framed picture of Eddy Vargas and a T-shirt printed with his name, photo and the words "In Loving Memory."
"I didn't know what to say, but it all came out," Allen said.
Representatives from the Southwest Transplant Alliance said they were glad the two families were able to come together.
"Eddy had a heart of gold," said Victoria Armendariz, regional client services coordinator for Southwest Transplant Alliance, who helped arrange the meeting.
Southwest Airlines provided Allen and her daughter with the plane tickets to El Paso.
"We consider a family like the Vargases to be heroes. They were willing to turn the situation around and give to others. The world should take a lesson," Armendariz said.
Allen said that her body initially started to reject the heart but that after treatment, Eddy Vargas' donated heart beats as it should.
She said that she learned about what happened to Eddy in an e-mail sent to her by a transplant association representative and that she cried for hours.
"It was tragic what happened. I cried for a long time," Allen said as her soft voice broke with emotion and tears filled her eyes. "I would tell him thank you and that I'm sorry for what happened to you, and I would want him to know that his heart is inside of me and I'm going to save our heart for as long as I can."
We are here, when we meet LaShuandra (Heart's recipient).
My daughter Brenda, LaShuandra, Me and my husband.
You can see behind us my son's basketball jersey, we received it in his memory from the team.
Saddly LaShuandra passed away in January 3, 2007, this broke our hearts again, but we know she went to heaven to meet Eddy and to say how much he is loved and missed for his family....
Virginia O'Quinn, a 56-year-old grandmother and former El Pasoan now living in London, Texas, is equally grateful for receiving Vargas' other kidney.
"It is just a miracle," said O'Quinn, who is now able to go inner-tubing with her grandchildren on the Llano River near her Central Texas home.
Vargas "really is a special young man, I think."
We don't have the pleasure to know personality Virginia, but we are in touch.
Angel Moms
We have shared our tears and our sorrow,
We have given encouragement to each other,
Given hope for a brighter tomorrow,
We share the title of grieving mother.
Some of us lost older daughters or sons,
Who we watched grow over the years,
Some have lost their babies before their lives begun,
But no matter the age , we cry the same tears.
We understand each others pain,
The bond we share is very strong,
With each other there is no need to explain,
The path we walk is hard and long.
Our children brought us together,
They didn't want us on this journey alone,
They knew we needed each other,
To survive the pain of them being gone.
So take my hand my friend,
We may stumble and fall along the way,
But we'll get up and try again,
Because together we can make it day by day.
We can give each other hope,
We'll create a place where we belong,
Together we will find ways to cope,
Because we are Angel Moms and together we are strong!
Judi Walker
(Shane's Mom)
Copyright Dec. 28, 1999
Dedicated to all moms who have lost a child.
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| Eddy's Photo Album |
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