Bastos

"Bastos" means "Buster" (among other things) in Tagalog. This was my nick name for my late friend Joseph Toledo. After battling stage 4 lung cancer for exactly a year, my dear friend Joseph departed from us on July 5, 2008. Just seems like yesterday when I played volleyball with him at La Jolla Shores, CA. He and I used to play beach volleyball together. I can still hear him yell on top of his voice, "Come on Lavanya, get that ball", when we played a competitive game of beach volleyball. And oh, lets not forget that unique laugh/giggle of his -- I can still hear it; I just knew it was Joseph from a mile way. His silly grins, attitudes, and teasing/raunchy comments were endearing and his pissy moods were never to be missed! That was our Drama Queen, our Joseph!


I catch myself thinking of him at random moments. While on Peru Rail, a return train trip from the incredible Machu Picchu hike, they played Abba's song, "Dancing Queen". This was his favorite song and immediately I knew that he was there with me. On my drive to my flute lesson (his house is very close by), I catch myself chatting with him like he is sitting right next to me. Unexpected moments, I simply hear him pop in my head. I smile. I know that he is still here.


This amazing picture was taking at Joanne's wedding in 2005. Suzanna is the lucky lady in the picture. The expression on his face is priceless. A total sense of satisfaction is captured in this incredible shot.


Its hard to believe that he is gone from this earth and that I will never get to see him again. But he is in my heart and mind. He will be in my life till the day I die. He's left his markings through the various precious moments in life. He has certainly walked into my life and left his footprints. I know he is still up there, looking down, smiling (and even yelling) at me. I miss him. I miss you Bastos! Love you always!