It was typically warm fall Saturday afternoon at R Bar JB on Lime Ridge in Concord, CA. At around 2:00 pm family, neighbors and friends began to gather to remember Rob Bernando. Family members who traveled from New York to be there were Rob's mother Betty, his sister Claire, and her husband and twin sons. A number of friends traveled from as far away as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado and southern California to share this bright sunny day.
At around 3:00 pm we were summoned to the back yard to begin our memorial for Rob. Chuck Fisher began the memorial by introducing the family members and thanking all for attending. He then asked each of us to introduce ourselves and to say a few words about our memories of Rob. Unfortunately you had to be there to feel the real impact of the next hour or two. The emotions ran from humorous to very emotional. Each in their own way remembering Rob, each learning from others about a part of Rob that they had not known.
Chuck read messages from people that wanted very much to be a part of the event but couldn't because of health reasons or other commitments. From time to time even Oriana and the chickens could be heard in the background having their say. Claire read Rob's "Rob Bernardo in 22 easy steps."
This part of the memorial concluded by everyone holding hands and participating a silent remembrance of Rob. Jim Wood then shared with us several poems and excerpts of mail that he had received from Rob during the past years.
By 5:00 pm Rob's brother-in-law was hard at work at several grills preparing the the BBQ chicken and ribs that even Rob would have enjoyed. With the potluck food that went with the BBQ there was more than enough food to please everyone.
The sunset on Mt Diablo was beautiful as always.
| Rob Bernardo (rob@mtdiablo.Concord.CA.US) March 9, 1952 -- August 13, 1992 May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face And rains fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May God hold you in the hollow of His Hand. |
--
Neil
| A friend is one to whom one may pour out all of the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take it and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest of way. |
