I have no hockey words tonight.
Those of you who read here regularly have come to know that I occasionally avail myself of the indulgence of using this space to write about matters other than the Edmonton Oilers. Matters closer to the heart. Tonight is one of those times.
Back on May 22, I wrote — oilersnation.com/2011/5/22/oilersnation-goes-to-guimba — about an upcoming family trip to the Philippines. The headline was "Oilersnation Goes to Guimba." I was taking, I thought, a little piece of Oilersnation to Nueva Ecija. How wrong I was. I turns out I actually brought a big piece of Guimba back to Oilersnation, one that will stay with me for as long as I live.
Like the picture at the top of this item. That’s my wife, Analyn, on the left and my brother-in-law, Arman, on the right. We’d been out on a day trip to Arman’s favourite church. "I’m tired," Arman said to his little sister. "Can I lean on you?" I snapped the picture.
That one moment is etched in my and has been, knowing what I know — some of which I shared with you in that May 22 item — since I looked in the viewfinder. Arman’s family — his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, his nieces and nephews — had always leaned on him. Now, it was Analyn’s turn to return the favour.
That moment is as vivid to me now as the second it happened.
NO WORDS
I knew when I wrote what I did back on May 22, when Analyn and Sam and Michael and I jumped that jet, that today would come. When it did, I hoped I’d be able to write a meaningful account of what I’d seen and what I’d learned after meeting Arman for the first time.
The day has come and I’m in hopelessly over my head and unable to write anything worthy of the experience. The words won’t come, so I won’t force them. I guess my best bet is to get to the heart of the matter. I’ll borrow from an old J-school teacher of mine, who would simply ask: "What’s the story?" That, I can do.
Arman was the son of Arcadio and Adelaida Agustin and was born on July 1, 1960. He celebrated his 51st birthday 20 days ago — the same day as Analyn and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. Arman was the husband of Heidi and father to daughter Apple and sons Arjay and Adrian.
Arman was brother to Analyn and Anna, Alfred and Arnold and Arcadio Jr. and Alvin. He was uncle to all of their children and to Michael and Sam. Arman was a family man. A kind man, a gentle man, a successful man. A loving son and brother, father and uncle. All these things I learned in the three weeks we just spent in Guimba, where he welcomed us into his home and fussed over us as much or more as we did over him.
Before Analyn and Sam and Michael and I left for home on June 13, I asked Arman to promise to wait for us to come back again. "I will wait for you," he said. Sam has been asking for uncle Arman every day since we left. Analyn and I spoke with Arman two days ago, knowing time was short. Then, the phone rang today . . .
After a two-year battle with his cancer, Arman passed away at home in Guimba this afternoon. We miss him more than words can say.
Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.
My condolences to you and your family, Robin. May the good memories of Arman never fade for any of you.
Sorry for your loss Robin.
Remember the moments you shared with him.
Condolences Robin.
The man looks like he had an infectious smile.
He will always be with you in your memories. It’s good you were able to spend time with him this year and have tons of wonderful memories.
Until you meet again.
Sorry to hear about your loss. He looked like a kind man.
Condolences to you and your family. Keep up the great work you do on oilersnation sir
Sincere thanks to all of you who have taken the time to pass along your best wishes.
Arman’s wife and children, as you’d expect, are grieving and it’s particularly difficult for his mother. But they are surrounded by friends and family and it seems like half the town is at his house. Arman was truly loved because of the man he was. He promised he would wait for us and he will. We will see him again.
Bless.
My condolences and wish you and the family all the best.
my deepest condolences robin. my thoughts are with you and your family.
So sorry to hear that Robin, my sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Family rules and that is Oiler Family as well. I pray there was not any pain. Hug your wife a lot, this life is too short.
I always read your stuff Robin and value your opinion, at times like these most words don’t really matter its what we feel inside. I enjoyed your story about your trip and your brother in law when you wrote it and I’m sorry to hear of his passing.Condolences to you and yours
My condolences to you and your family Robin. Like many, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest thoughts and prayers go out to your family
Sorry for your loss. I am glad that you took that trip with Sam and your wife. Family, and maybe a few close freinds is all that really matters.
Thoughts and Prayers Robin
Losing family always hurts
Hang in there Big Guy*
* That is NOT a crack about your weight.
RB,
Saying something sucks isn’t a “take” but cancer sucks.
Hang in there.
Sorry for your loss Reuben, I raise my beer to honor Arman and your family.
Take care brother.
Please accept my condolences to you and your family Robin.
You know, I have for some reason often thought about Arman since you wrote about him here in May. I wondered how he was doing, and although you were clear as to his fate, I often wondered how long he could hold on for. I was rooting for him. In some ways, you brought him to life here for me, and there will always be a tiny memory of him living somewhere deep in my memories. Judging by that smile, it’s the least I could do for him.
The only thing I don’t wonder about is this: He is in a better place.
RIP Arman. May the people you left behind find find happier days soon.
Arman was a an extraordinary man to have touched our community of friends and strangers. I can only imagine what he meant to his family. Peace be with your wife and family.
Deepest condolences to you and your family Robin. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My condolences Robin. RIP Arman.
Hey Robin,
My sincere condolences for your family’s loss. Last year my wife and I lost a very dear friend who was, fo all intents and purposes, as close as a sister. It hurts, plain and simple. Many people, meaning well, told us to look forward to getting our life back to normal. The thing is, when someone who is part of your life is no longer there, then there is no normal. A few months after our friend died my wife became pregnant after years of being told it wasn’t going to happen, so the world has a way of balancing it’s books sometimes.
Anyway, we’re thinking of you and you’re family.
Most sincere condolences to you and your family, Robin. May the cherished memories you hold of Arman comfort you, Analyn and the family for the days to come. Peace
Sorry for your loss Mr.Brownlee.big hugs to your wife and family from the nation.
My condolences to you and your family, Robin. It was sad when I heard Jason say on the radio last week that Arman had passed.
I think it was great that you and the wife packed up the family and travelled across the world and get a last visit in. I also appreciated you sharing Arman’s story with us, It sounds like you have a very close family and that is something to be grateful for.
Thanks again for sharing, and my deepest condolences.
Deepest sympathies to you and your Family Robin.
Condolences to you and your family, Robin. Your wife’s family is lucky to have someone to write so eloquently about their loved ones