Please share your wonderful messages, stories, memories, and/or pictures of Neal by emailing them to nealaquino@gmail.com. Remember to tell us who you are and how you know Neal.
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If you would like to make a donation to Neal's charity, please send your donation to:
Neal Aquino Intern Book Fund
Department of Emergency Medicine
41 Arch Street
Suite 521
Akron, OH 44309
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Neal's family is so thankful to all of you for your continued support through this difficult time. Thanks for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers! Love and peace to all of you!
Tue
Nov
3
I had the great pleasure of meeting my new neighbors today, the Aquinos. This was incredibly special as Neal worked with me on one of my first research projects as an attending at UC. It brought back so many good memories of our brief time together. I always knew Neal would choose Emergency Medicine as a specialty as he had the perfect “make-up” for the specialty. Neal is missed by many, but is always in our thoughts.
Rick Ryan
Thu
Aug
27
It’s been 2 years without my big brother and it hasn’t gotten any easier. One day without him felt like an eternity, 2 years is just miserable. I try to think that he’s now with me wherever I go, but sometimes that isn’t enough. I can’t hear him tell me silly stories or re-enact some cheesy line from a movie he just saw. I just have to keep telling myself that I will see him again one day and that keeps me going. I found this poem and I felt it would be good for my parents. It’s one thing losing a brother and best friend and another to lose your baby boy. Hope all of you keep Neal and my family in your thoughts and prayers today.
“I’ll lend you for a little while,
a child of mine” God said,
“for you to love the while he lives,
and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be two or three short 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 the wide world over
in my search for teacher’s true,
and from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call,
to take him back again?”
God fancied he heard the parent’s say,
“Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joy the child shall bring,
the risk of grief I’ll run.
I’ll shelter him with tenderness,
I’ll love him while I may,
and for the happiness I’ve known
forever grateful I’ll stay.
But should the angels call for him,
much sooner than I planned,
I’ll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.”
