4 Years Old

Today our little man Andrew Aidan would have been 4 years old if he would have stayed with us on Earth. The day of his birth was one of the happiest of our lives. Everyday with him was great and amazing and we would never change anything that we experienced with him.  He has always been with and today it was so apparent.  We went to Publix, a local supermarket in Florida to buy Andrew Aidan some flowers and balloons to release to him. As we were ready to pay, we were feeling very and crying. We walked over to the car and when we got into the car, one of AA's favorite songs came on the radio, the theme song to one of his favorite cartoons, Handy Manny. We were so surprised that this song came on precisely when we were just speaking and thinking about him. What was even more surprising was that we do not have that song on our phones nor did we have any internet radio stations open. Not only did it play but it played over ten times.  There goes AA again showing us that he is with us. We thank you all for the wonderful messages and the way many of you remembered his birthday. We really do appreciate the love you have shown our Angel Warrior.  We love you AA! Happy birthday. 

Mama, Sophia Andrea, Beemer Roosky & Papa

Thank You

My beautiful angel Andrew Aidan..thank you for watching over your little sister Sophia Andrea...look at her reddish brown hair like yours and dada's...we love and miss you my son

Welcoming Sophia

We wanted to thank our friend Nancy for the beautiful poem she wrote about AA and his 3 week old Sister Sophia Andrea.  Thank you very much Nancy!


To Mom and Dad, From AA with Love

Welcoming Sophia

I was an angel sent to you

To pave the way; you welcomed me.

Sophia is also an angel . . . 

And others will come; soon you'll see.

In my case my visit was too short

But not by God's standards, please know

All the love you showered me with

Gives my wings strength as I glow.

I will be watching Sophia.

Have faith in God's love, He is near.

Rejoice in the blessings and goodness.

Live life never bowing to fear.

There is a plan - without question.

Much we cannot comprehend.

Wisdom is whispered, and when hearts are open

We feel love and joy as they blend.

Now you have welcomed Sophia.

Her life ahead will be so blessed.

I will be by her side always

Through life's ups and downs . . . one request:

If she tells you she sees her angel,

Believe her, please, know it is me.

She is a sensitive spirit,

She chose you both so carefully.

You know I am always with you

Although my face most eyes can't see . . . 

I am revealed by the blessings and joy,

They are gifts to you from me.

~The Universe's Secretary

Copyright 2013 by N.E.C. Iankowitz

Hello Sophia

Today we have been blessed with the birth of Sophia Andrea.  Our little princess was born free of complications weighing 6.8 lbs. Both mother and daughter are doing just fine. We thank God and our Angel AA for granting us the gift of having a Giver of Life in our family. 

The Le Gar Family 

From Brother To Sister

We wanted to share with you this wonderful and touching poem written by our friend Nancy from Andrew Aidan to his sister Sophia Andrea. Enjoy. 

Michelle & Roi 

To my baby sister

I welcome you now.

I am your guardian angel.

Our mother and father have waited for you . . . 

They are wonderful.

You and I chose well.

My time in their arms was very special.

Now I live in their hearts.

I am still here – just . . . differently.

It would have been fun to play with you

The way siblings play.

But our journey is very unique.

Our family is very special.

I will see you through their eyes.

You will hug me through their arms.

We will all be together – always.

I still love them with all of my heart.

I love you all now.

You know this and you know me.  

I will never leave you. I will never leave them.

We are a very special family.

I am writing this for them . . . because 

You already know what I’m capturing in words.

You know it deep in your soul.

You are a beautiful, gentle spirit, as am I.

You are my sister and I am your brother.

We are a family filled with blessings.

 

Love is intangible and immeasurable.

Science and technology have not yet caught up;

Thus, my being with you cannot be empirically quantified.

Our relationship will be based on faith and intuitive knowing.

And this, my dear sister, is very real.

We have an extraordinary journey ahead.

Welcome to the world.

I am eager to help guide you gently, 

When you privately welcome me to do so.

I am, and will forever be, your loving brother. 

 ~AA 

© 2013 by The Universe’s Secretary

The Door

Our dear friend Nataki posted this for us on our Facebook account. As the days grow closer to the arrival of Andrew Aidan's sister we have been thinking of him with happiness, fondness, sadness and pride. We are so happy to be expecting our new bundle of joy soon but still have the hole in our hearts which will stay for all perpetuity. We hope that this helps as it did for us for the hole in your heart if you are missing a dear one that has walked through the door of life. 

Roi and Michelle 

Road of Away

We always think of you AA. The things we would all do and the laughs we all shared are now part of the cerebral archive of memories which we constantly access to keep your wonderful flames alive here.
Mama and Papa

Road of Away

Oh, the joy
Of seeing his eyes glimmer
With the bright perfection of tomorrow's hope.

The amazing thrill
Of seeing yesterday's past wash away
With the tear's of today's future.

The eternal emptiness
permanently inhabits the mind and soul
As interrogative expressions remain unanswered

Undiscovered remains litter the path
Forming a calcified walkway
Over which the dim light is trampled

Standing fog, bathes the mist
Which floats down the mountainside
To our lonely garden which wilts further with each day
Away from you.

Roi Le Gar

Remembering A Warrior

Today, Pace University DNP's program celebrated it's third graduating class through a pre-commencement ceremony held to celebrate the hard work of it's eligible graduates with family and friends in attendance. It was from this Doctorate program in which Michelle earned her Doctorate in May 2011 while many of her family members were in attendance, most notably Andrew Aidan. Little did we know, that two months later we would face the hardest battle of our lives as we battled cancer alongside Andrew Aidan. Throughout that tough experience we received a tremendous amount of support from many people including the wonderful Pace University family. Shortly after AA's passing in March 2012 we were notified by Pace Faculty that the School of Nursing would like to honor Andrew Aidan's fighting Spirit by reserving a seat for him in the upcoming pre-commencement ceremonies of years to come. Michelle attended today's ceremony along with her mother and we were once again honored that our Brave Boy has made such an indelible impression on so many people. Michelle and her classmate Anny even felt AA's Spirit as they spoke of him and were able to see a light shine only on Michelle were there was no light. Pretty amazing. Thank you Pace University, Dr. Singleton, Dr. Shortridge-Baggett and all the wonderful staff at Pace University that have continually remembered the bravery of our wonderful son Andrew Aidan.
Michelle & Roi

Helping Others

During our experience last year with Andrew Aidan, we had many people and organizations come to our aid while we both tended to AA's battle with cancer full time. One of those organizations was the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. They were very nice to deal with and were very sympathetic to our battle since Joe himself was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007. Joe was a former Offensive Lineman with the New England Patriots during their recent three championship run. Thank you Joe for helping us as well as the countless other children you help on a yearly basis. Your help during this week's horrible occurrence at The Boston Marathon is a great example of coming to the aid of others while putting your well being to the side an amazing quality that many in this country seem to have. Thank you!

Michelle, AA (RIP) & Roi

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/9176513/joe-andruzzi-former-new-england-patriots-player-helps-boston-marathon-blasts

Help Kids With Cancer Please!

Please join us in this campaign to preserve and hopefully increase funding for the National Cancer Institute. Our friend Mafe brought this to our attention... The chemo treatment currently in place is basically the same treatment that was used 20-30 years ago..There have been no significant advancements in the treatment of pediatric cancer. We need to tell our politicians what we want and they need to stop spending OUR money on other countries and people when our own country and people are suffering.... This is OUR country and these are OUR children not the governments. Please let's do as much as we can by spreading the word writing a letter. In memory of AA and all the other wonderful children that have passed away because of pediatric cancer. Thank you!
The LeGar Family.

http://www.journey4acure.org/will-you-write-a-letter-to-save-kids/

Fondest Memories

Fondest memories of my beautiful warrior Andrew Aidan. AA taught Beemer how to throw toys in the bathtub so every weekend the boys would each throw their own toys in there while mommy ran back and forth from the bathroom to their toy chest putting their toys away...thanks AA...your brother Beemer still throws his toys in the bathtub when I am not looking...lol

Andrew Aidan's First Angel-Versary

Rest In Peace Our Sweet Boy!
12/05/09 - 03/12/12

An Angel-Versary is a term we discovered some organizations using when they were describing the date of passing into Heaven of a child. We decided to use it as well because we thought it more fitting. Today is Andrew Aidan's 1st Year since being called up to Heaven. This year has been so difficult for so many different reasons but the main reason is that our boy is no longer with us physically. Our pain is an emotional pain that can never be cured. It's a long term disease that will linger with us until our last day for there is no cure for the loss of a child. Our pain is an obviously different pain compared to what our strong Angel Warrior was probably feeling through his battle with cancer, chemo, radiation and various surgeries he endured. Today is more about celebrating his spirit, love, amazing personality and the incredible impression his story had on many people. All we did was love him and he did the same to us. Any normal parent thinks about celebrating birthdays, graduations, weddings for their children but never an Angel-Versary. Sure it would have been nice to celebrate those things with AA but we have to thank God for choosing our boy as one of his Angels. An honor much greater than any here on Earth. At least we know he is absolutely safe and that one day we will make it to him. Andrew Aidan we are very proud of the fight you waged against cancer and are glad that we were able to help you through the difficult times. We are very proud of you and are happy that you are now an Angel of God. Not everyone gets that job! We love you.

Mama, Sophia Andrea, Beemer & Papa

Amazing Support From So Many

As our beautiful son's first Angel-versary approaches...we find ourselves emotionally a complete mess. It is thanks to our family and friends that continue to support us through the hardest times in our lives that we are still standing. Thank you my dear friend Mary Ellen McKie for being one of those people that has remembered our son's anniversary every single month offering us words of comfort each month...we truly appreciate it.

Life

March is the birth month of Spring. Spring brings with it the hope of life, growth of many plants and flowers and the joy of escaping Winter's harsh realities. For us, March is particularly hard because it is the month Andrew Aidan went up to Heaven. As we approach his one year of passing on March 12th, the weeks leading up to the date are difficult. I was doing some reading and came across this excerpt by Ernest Hemingway from his book A Farewell to Arms and it struck a cord with me. It reminded me to enjoy my life as it passes. Enjoy every second, minute, hour, day, week and year of your life, because we all will one day meet our creator. It's just a matter of when. If you have a grudge, resolve it. If you dislike someone learn to like them and if you love someone tell them you love them. Sometimes the hardest phrases to say are "I'm sorry, I like you , and I love you". For all the important people in my life: "I'm sorry, I like you , and I love you"

Enjoy the excerpt and have an amazing day!
Roi

“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

Approaching One Year

As the one year of Our Guardian Angel Andrew Aidan's passing approaches in exactly 3 weeks, an overwhelming feeling of extreme sadness approaches our heart more and more each day. It is thanks to our family and friends that have not forgotten our beautiful son and have proven it to us in so many different ways while helping us with this overwhelming experience. Today, we received a letter from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the first sentence reads as follows: "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Le Gar, It is my privilege to inform you that Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has received a generous gift, in memory of Andrew Le Gar from Mrs. Linda Moncayo". As I read this letter tears of happiness overcame me, thank you Titi Linda for being one of those people that always shows us how important our precious son still is to you and for keeping his memory alive. This means the world to us...we love you and appreciate all you have done for our baby boy then and now.

Tears In Heven

I was driving in to school today and for some reason felt compelled to play "Tears in Heaven" by Blues guitarist Eric Clapton. In 1991, Eric Clapton lost his 4 year old son and as a result wrote this song. 11 months later we still miss AA and hope to make it one day to heaven along with AA. Where hopefully there will be no more tears. Here are the lyrics for the song.

Eric Clapton Tears In Heaven
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please

Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven

We love you!
Mama and Papa

Always Thinking of You - 10 Months Later

Sometimes we ask ourselves if there was anything we could have done differently in life. Something that could have prevented Andrew Aidan from embarking on his battle with AT/RT, but as time passes on, we realize that we did everything we could have possibly done for AA. How many times did we ask God to give us the cancer instead. If there was a way that we could have transferred it to our bodies we would have done that in an instant, but that was not possible. Instead we've had to learn one of life's harshest lessons, that the ones you love don't always stay around for long. We learned how to live and love for someone else, while he was here with us and we are sure that we gave our boy every single ounce of love that we had in our systems. We know for a fact that he felt loved. There is no way possible that a boy of his age could have so calmly and courageously stood up to cancer without the confidence, strength and courage that love gives. We are so very glad that God showed us how to love our amazing boy. We are glad that we were able to guide him through the battle, never letting him feel the loneliness of not having love. Now we cry, we smile, we laugh, we long for him everyday. His memory consumes us, for he is us. Some people expect us to brush aside our unfortunate journey because we are expecting AA's sibling, but that will not happen and we will not let it happen. We are not ashamed of him or the experience of AA. We will continue to have all the emotions that parents live through when they loose a child. As time passes, those feelings do not change but grow with you. Today marks ten months since he moved to Heaven and we ask that you do your best to honor AA's memory by helping other brave children like Andrew Aidan. Please go to AA's blog: www.andrewlegar.blogspot.com

On the right hand side you will see a section called " AA's Organizational Supporters" . There you can pick any of the many organizations that helped our family during this past year and make a donation. It's a great cause and so many beautiful children need the help. We love you Andrew Aidan. Please help us make it to where you are baby...
Mama and Papa....

Let's Make the White House Gold This September!

Hello everyone...
Please help us light up the White House in gold lighting this September by following the link below and signing the attached petition in honor of Andrew Aidan and his fellow Angel Warriors. We can not let their battles be forgotten.. Thank you.
Roi

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/light-white-house-gold-month-september-honor-pediatric-cancer-fighters-and-bring-light-cause/syV6M6wX

Donate Blood Today!

A common thread that all humans have is the blood the races through our veins. It does not matter which country you are from or which language you speak, all humans need blood. The importance of a healthy blood system is taken for granted by millions but for many men, women and children who are in constant need of donated blood due to various ailments, it is just one added pressure of life. Yesterday, in Andrew Aidan's memory I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the hospital where AA received his cancer treatment and I donated blood. Hopefully my blood, the same blood that raced through AA's amazing body can make a difference in someone's battle with Cancer just like AA's story of strength made a difference for many. I ask you to do the same as soon as possible! Go to your local Cancer Center, hospital or blood bank and please make a difference today by donating blood or platelets. We didn't realize how important blood donation was until AA needed transfusions of his own. Hopefully, you will never have to need any transfusions of your own but some one will. It's the closest thing to saving a life. Thank you and God Bless!
Roi