Andy is Matthew’s cousin and helped take care of Matthew when he was younger. The “big brother” mentality seemed to have never left as Andy was right there by Matthew’s side during his last few days in the hospital, still taking care of him and doing everything in his power to keep him comfortable.
A huge showing of people gathered at Holy Spirit Catholic Church to celebrate Matthew’s life yesterday, including family from across the nation, friends from as far back as elementary school, and even people who had a brief encounter with him. As the family and friends were mourning, Andy comforted the entire room with a powerful, uplifting, and touching eulogy.
It was exactly how we all should and will remember Matthew. Here it is…
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Theres not enough time today for me to talk about all the things that made Matthew so special to me. We grew up together. I was around when he was born.
When he was a baby his sisters and I took care of him while our parents were off at work and everyday we’d fight over who would get to hold him.
I could tell you so many stories about the fun we had. How we made him wear his sisters dress for Halloween one year; complete with hair clips and a purse. I could also tell you about the time he and I went out bike riding as kids and he came back with a broken arm. I could also continue to claim that it wasn’t my fault. But since we’re at church I might as well admit that it may have partially kind of been my fault.
We can spend some time discussing all his hairstyles from the fade to the faux hawk to the Vietnamese comb over. I’m not even going to mention the different colors, shades, and hues that he experimented with.
I could ask his high school friends to share stories about his water polo days, his Viet Legit crew, or his HOMECOMING King campaign.
Or we could try to solve the mystery of why he loved that beat down old Honda Accord of his so much.
Better yet maybe some of his college friends could share some stories about his UCLA days BUT again we’re in a church so…you know maybe those stories should come at another time.
You know I could read you all his positive reviews on eBay or recount the stories about his camping out for autographs from his favorite Lakers.
But Matt was so much more than just fun stories.
Special doesn’t come close to describing what type of person Matt was. He was smart, kind, gentle, and talented(if you haven’t seen any of his photography you need to and see how blessed he was). He was thoughtful and generous, and most of all he had the heart of a lion.
But you all ALREADY knew that. That’s why you are all here.
I can guarantee you that there’s not a person here THAT WAS NOT HELPED by Matt in some way. Not a person here THAT HE DIDNT MAKE smile or laugh. Not a single person here that he didn’t inspire. And if you didn’t know Matt you lost out.
Matt was a rarity. IF he ENTERED your life, he CHANGED your life.
Like a work of art that EVOKES emotion, a piece of literature that PROVOKES thought, or A WORK of music that TOUCHES your soul and BRINGS you happiness and makes you want to get up and dance, Matt was all of that. Matt was a masterpiece. He was a force. He MADE you want to live life.
His eternal optimism and strength never let you pity him despite all the hardships he endured.
His outlook on life opened your eyes to the simplicity and joys of life that you were overlooking.
His generosity and selflessness inspired you to do more to affect the world around you.
When you were around him HE just made you want to live life to the fullest.
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His legacy is here today. His legacy is all of us. It’s everyone he inspired.
Because of our love for him his lessons will go on.
We WILL slow down and enjoy life.
We WILL look for the beauty around us that he so easily saw through the lens of his camera.
We WILL try harder to think beyond ourselves and lend a helping hand when it’s needed. We WILL simply…do more.
We WILL register more people into the bone marrow registry.
We together, with Matt’s story, will save more lives.
We will FIGHT ON with Matthew.
We will, as Matt so elegantly stated “be like Kobe”.
You know, perhaps more APPROPRIATELY, I should say we will “be like Matt”.
Because that’s what he would have wanted. That was his goal. We were his purpose.
We love you Matthew. We’ll never forget you. Thank you for everything.
Your wonderful wife said it best, “you’ve set the bar really high”.
Rest in peace my little brother.
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