My father passed away when I was only 9, and although everyone was sad at the time, I did not experience the grief I felt I should. It was hard for me to understand at the time. With Gerard's passing, the grief is tremendous and extremely difficult. I feel like someone has torn my heart out and that I have lost my father again and also a dear friend. And this time it is twice as hard.

On Sunday night, I had e-mailed Gerard and was excited to meet him at an upcoming meeting in Las Vegas. I remember this was about 1:30am in the morning. As I walked into my room to go to bed, the room was dark. I walked by our rocking chair next to the bed and noticed someone sitting in the chair and I just thought my wife must have fallen asleep while reading. I turned on the light to wake her up and as I looked back, the chair was empty…I noticed she was already asleep on the bed. It was strange, but I woke her up and told her about this briefly.

I was woken up by Bernadette at 6:00am in the morning in California to hear Gerard had passed away. It was devastating; we just hugged each other and cried in bed. The day was mostly a blur and I realized in the back of my mind we were heading to Cleveland during the week. I spoke to my immediate family and also to Gerard's family many times that day and was told the services were Thursday and Friday. Later on that evening, I intended to reserve my tickets as I was told the prices would be higher the next morning. I tried to get up and reserve my tickets around 11:00pm, but was too tired and sad to move…and then fell asleep. The next morning I woke up, upset at myself I had missed my opportunity to reserve a lower fare ticket and spoke again to the family in Cleveland. I was now told the dates for the services had changed; now they were Wednesday and Thursday. WOW…what a lucky break. I went straight to the computer and thought about how to get to Cleveland. I remember logging onto Continental.com since I knew Gerard flew this airline often and my computer screen said "Welcome, Dr. Gerard Yu". Again…Wow. I couldn't figure this out, but realized Gerard must have logged onto this site while he was visiting several months ago, but I am not sure why it was still saved to this screen. After checking several websites, I bought the cheapest tickets I could for last minute travel for Elaine, Jayson and myself.

When we arrived at the airport, it was a little late and I dropped off my son and wife at the terminal and went to park the car. I ran from the parking lot to the terminal to the ticket counter to check in and as I entered, by wife rushed me towards the security line to get to our gate. I told her I needed to get a boarding pass and had to show my ID, but she told me the agent had already given her my boarding pass. How did this happen? I have never been able to get a boarding pass for someone else without checking photo ID in person…but I just went along with it. We got through security quickly and just made it to our gate in time…as I was looking at our boarding passes; I realized we were seated in row #3, A, B, And C. First Class…Wow. How did my last minute internet scramble for the cheapest tickets get us into first class? I smiled as I went to sleep for several hours thinking this is how Gerard would want us to fly.

We landed at 7:00am in the morning Cleveland time and were tired. As we left the plane and started to walk towards baggage claim, I was surprised again to have an airport buggy drive by and asked where we were headed…and then told us to "Jump In". I have flown over 300 flights in my life and have never been on one of these buggies…usually reserved for older customers or the disabled. I looked over, half expecting to see a larger asian driver, but no luck. As we picked up our car, by wife and son asked where we were staying…and I told them the "Motel 6". "WHAT…YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS…THE MOTEL 6…GERARD WOULD NEVER STAY AT THE MOTEL 6!!" Although I knew this was true, I thought it was a silly comment…we were here to remember Gerard and be there for the services…not necessarily stay in a nicer place. As I thought more about our trip however…I knew I had to do what Gerard would also do in the situation…UPGRADE!. We ended up at the Ramada Inn and as my wife and son went to sleep for a few hours, I received a call from Angelita…the whole YU family was staying at the Quality Inn…directly across the street. Wow.

Now that I look back on this adventure, I knew Gerard was with me during this difficult time. I know I needed to make this difficult trip to Cleveland and he made every part of our trip as easy as possible. His spirit guided us here and we are here today. But he has always been there for me…as a wonderful mentor, as a true friend and as my second father. And for Jason, Ashley, Nicole, Cheryl and Sandra, he will always be there for you. You will never be without his guidance during your brightest days and your darkest nights. For Barb, he is by your side every step you take. For all his residents and doctors here today, the next time you are having a difficult time in surgery, he will be there, as he always has been and guide you through.

As you all go back out into your lives today and forever, each time you treat someone with respect, each time you genuinely engage someone and communicate from your heart, and each time you share a gesture of kindness, you will be living in Gerard's spirit…the spirit that has touched all of us in a special way during his short, but extraordinary life. I love Gerard Yu and thank him so much for the love he shared with me.

Tom Chang, DPM
Santa Rosa, CA