You know that saying; “what matters is not the year you were born or died but the dash in between”…well that’s what I saw last night, when Ales for ALS and Alamo Beer Company released a beer named after Juan. It’s called Juan-dering IPA, and the number of people that came to support estimated about 75-100 people. Not many in the huge scheme of things, however the people who showed up were from all stages of our current life.

Of course, our immediate family came, kids, sisters, in laws. But then my college roommate came with her husband, my stepbrother, and his wife whom we’ve known for most of our lives. Our neighbors from our previous neighborhood. Which we had to move from because we could not modify our two story house. Our neighbors from our new neighborhood. High school teacher for our oldest son and his wife. Our VA clinic was represented and prior co-workers from Salvation Army, USAF medic, and friends of friends; even our financial advisor came.

ALSA representatives, old and new, and those who dedicate their lives to finding a cure and raising awareness and hope. Let me not forget to mention two other ALS patients who came and their caregives. The evening was a representation of the many facets of our lives, as we’ve grown together.

It made me think of the dash between birth and death; what matters are these memories and experiences. Interestingly enough, the reporter there interviewed Juan and I separately, and Juan and I both stated this: What matters most is what happens in between our birth and death. The connections we make and the impact we have on those connections.

As we warmed ourselves in the glow of the memories being created, appreciation for the time our tribe took to come and celebrate now versus at a funeral…it just inflated Juan and I’s hearts to know this is what it’s about. Yes, we are blessed with a comfortable life and with great support. But to know that people care and want to be with you even when you are fighting to live every day with a terminal disease, that is humbling.

I often dream of what it would be like to attend my own funeral and hear what people say about you or how they react. Last night, I experienced this. Not a sorrowful gathering, but a celebration of life, while living! Isn’t that what matters, the ability to tell someone you love them or appreciate them while they are with us versus regretting it and staying “I wish I’d let them know”. Yesterday was filled with that, no regrets, no sadness, but true love. Celebrating Juan’s fighting spirit and courage to live life in spite of ALS. A testament to the value of keeping apositiveoutlook, regardless of circumstances. And while I was called a badass for being Juans wingman, it’s truly is just about love and the willingness to fill that dash between birth and death!

Meg Reyes (AKA Juans’ trophy wife)