Remembering Dr. Neal Aquino

There were so many people at the race that it took us forever to...

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:31:28 -0500

There were so many people at the race that it took us forever to get to the start line. There were quite a few people running for Neal, unfortunately, we were unable to meet up. Someone heard the announcer yell out “Neal Aquino!” He must have read one of our shirts as we ran past. It was a good day for a run and always a great race because it was Neal’s favorite.

I decided to make shirts for the 100th Turkey Day Race. It was...

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:28:17 -0500

I decided to make shirts for the 100th Turkey Day Race. It was quite an ordeal because the tshirt company I chose to work with were horrible (never ever use Image Ink in Columbia, SC). They didn’t get the shirts completed in time and when they did “complete” them they were done very poorly. It was very upsetting considering they were for a specific date and to remember Neal. Overall I think the design turned out well and I now know not to use this company again.

. . . . . .

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:47:00 -0500

We hardly knew Neal except for the occasional “hi” and “Kamusta” in the parking lot and elevator of Park Place. We also sometimes ran into him around downtown Cincinnati. We knew him as the only other Filipino living in Park Place and that was all it took for us to say he is special.

We knew that he was an ER doctor, looking very free spirited with his convertible and was always smiling…who wouldn’t? Life is good. Living in Park Place is great. Nice car. Single. A good profession. He had a whole life ahead of him.

We were so shocked when we got the news of his passing. Immediately, the thought that ran into our minds is life is fragile. Life as we know it could change in an instant…and without any warning, without us doing anything wrong. And the tough part is that there’s nothing we can do to put it back where it was…even how it was one minute ago!

The fragility of life became more pronounced for us as we just came face-to-face with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease for the first time in our lives when we heard about Neal. We were moving Benedict’s dad to a nursing home and all that he could take/need is one week worth of clothing…most of which were pajamas. It really made us think about what is truly important in life. All the material things that we accumulate mean nothing at the end of life’s journey. All you have is your naked self in front of our Creator.

Neal will never know that even just the news of his passing to another life had a major impact in our lives. But that’s okay. We are still grateful that he came our way. It’s just like the saints who influenced millions of people unknown to them even centuries after they passed away. St. Therese of Lisieux wrote a diary that has changed the lives of many including our very own. St. Therese will never know us (at least in our earthly life) …just like Neal. We are, however, forever grateful for what they have shown us in their lifetime. They lived short but meaningful lives.

We have taken a faith journey after we left Park Place. In a way, we came and left Park Place at the same time. We both came with a lot of excitement. And, I would like to think that we both left to be with our Creator.

So, to our special Filipino neighbor, Neal…see you in the next life. In case you see Jesus, say hi for us! We’ll do the same for you…we’ll smile and say hi to people we meet along the way…we’ll bring to them the spirit of jolly Neal.

Kudos to a life well lived!

Benedict and Grace Lenon

. . . . . .

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:53:00 -0500

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

Thank you again to all of you who donated money during the...

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:39:58 -0400

Thank you again to all of you who donated money during the Thanksgiving Day Race / Neal Shirt 2008. Above is a letter I just recently received from Summa’s Emergency Department in response to these donations to the Neal Aquino Book Fund.

100th Annual Thanksgiving Day Race is quickly approaching...

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:56:14 -0400

100th Annual Thanksgiving Day Race is quickly approaching …

Hello all!
It’s almost that time of year again…the time of pumpkins, turkey and running! This year is the big 100 year anniversary of the turkey day race, Neal’s favorite race to run. I was planning to design Neal t-shirts again, but wanted to see how many people would be interested in ordering a shirt? If you are interested in a shirt please send an email to nealaquino@gmail.com! Remember, you don’t have to run the race to order a shirt!

2 years . . .

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:43:07 -0400

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.”

Happy Birthday Neal! We love you and miss you SO much!

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:55:12 -0400

Happy Birthday Neal! We love you and miss you SO much!

Balloon send off with our messages to Neal.

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:54:00 -0400

Balloon send off with our messages to Neal.

A close group of friends gathered to remember Neal on his 32nd...

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:52:15 -0400

A close group of friends gathered to remember Neal on his 32nd birthday.

On May 30th a few of us got together to run/walk wearing our...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:37:00 -0400

On May 30th a few of us got together to run/walk wearing our Neal shirts. We figured the Reds Run would be a good race to partake in since Neal A) loved going to Reds games B) liked to run races and C) enjoyed food (there was free food at the end of the race). It was a beautiful day to be outdoors with good friends and Neal in our hearts.

Reds Run 2009

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:33:00 -0400

Reds Run 2009

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:31:32 -0400

Reds Run 2009

My old high school friend, Maggie, worked with Neal at Mercy...

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:53:23 -0400

My old high school friend, Maggie, worked with Neal at Mercy Hospital Western Hills. She gave me a tour of the ER and introduced me to some of Neal’s fellow colleagues. They just recently put their energies together to get this lovely plaque made. It’s such a wonderful remembrance!

Neal’s coworkers and friends at Mercy Hospital Western...

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:48:07 -0400

Neal’s coworkers and friends at Mercy Hospital Western Hills put together this collage in the ER. He’s in their thoughts every day!

Enjoying the fresh air in the Smokey Mountain National Forest,...

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:30:51 -0400

Enjoying the fresh air in the Smokey Mountain National Forest, Tennessee.
-Genevieve Meiners

It was a beautiful day for the Turkey Day Race! There were quite...

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:36:00 -0500

It was a beautiful day for the Turkey Day Race! There were quite a few people wearing the Neal shirts. I was able to gather some of us together for a picture before the race. I know we all did Neal proud!

Running back into Cincinnati…

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:34:00 -0500

Running back into Cincinnati…

We made it!

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:32:00 -0500

We made it!

I invited those that ordered shirts to a pre-race/pick up your...

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:27:25 -0500

I invited those that ordered shirts to a pre-race/pick up your shirt party. It was a great way to catch up with everone.