This past Monday I lost my kid brother to cancer.  He was full of life.  Luisito was a vibrant, intelligent, loving, creative, out-of-the box guy.  He was truly Conchita's son.  Like our mother, Luisito was never impressed by money or work.  He didn't care about a fancy house or fancy car or having ten degrees on the wall.  He stayed true to himself and followed his own course.  He found people interesting and was a good friend to people from all walks in life.  He had an uncanny ability to explain complicated mathematical and engineering ideas in the simplest ways. 

My sadness goes beyond words, but the gratitude I feel for being his sister, for sharing our lives, outweighs the sadness.  He was a great friend, a wonderful son, a doting nephew, a caring husband and my annoying, but oh, so interesting baby brother who knew me and as with all who crossed his path, accepted and valued me for who I am.

The day before he died, he jokingly said, "I know I'll die and you'll say I should have gone to tango with my brother."  And he's right.