For AL, and for whoever looks after this page.
A few sentences, or just talk into your phone. Takes about a minute. He reads it all on his birthday, or whenever you want to add it.
Share a New MemoryPlease don't show this to AL. That's the whole point.
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This is where the people who love AL tell him what he means to them. Nobody's waiting for the right moment. Add yours any time.
Darren Gibson
his brother
Hands up, unconditionally ready to protect and support in any way needed. This is who he is, IT IS JUST IN HIS BLOOD!
Always There, Unconditionally, to Protect, Support and Help
Back when Al and I were growing up in the "old neighborhood", we ran into trouble now and then, and sometimes that meant fist fights with kids from other neighborhoods.
One of the first times it happened, I was about 15. Al was about 13, already a big kid for his age. Some kids came speeding through the neighborhood in cars, and somehow or other we tracked them down to my front driveway. There were about 7 of them against the 2 of us.
Well, one thing led to another, and me and another kid squared off and started to fight. As the fight went on and I was taking control, I was a little worried that some of the other kids might jump in. I looked over my shoulder, and all I could see was Al. He had put himself between me and every one of them, hands raised in the air, giving them all the same signal: "no one else is getting involved in this fight."
I will never forget seeing "those hands" up in the air, palms facing forward, in complete support and backing of his friend and now family member.
One time during those old neighborhood days, we were rough housing in the basement of my house. My dad had his prize 22 case up on a gun stand, and somehow we knocked it off the stand and it hit the floor and put a small chip in it. My dad was there and became very upset. He looked at Al and said, you can't stop roughing around, "It is just in your blood"! From that day to this, we still give Al shit about "It is just in his blood" ha ha!
Since those old times in the neighborhood, Al and I have become the best of friends and brothers, growing up from young teenagers to manhood.
After graduating from high school and returning from missions, Al and I have played in many sporting leagues and participated together in many events. We have had the blessing of having our families grow up together.
Through the years, Al and I recognized that we had much in common in the business world, with many professional skill sets that are closely aligned. As a result, Al and I had the opportunity to work together for multiple companies, along with starting our own businesses together.
What I have learned and come to fully trust is that no matter the need, Al is always there. His hands, his body, his soul and his spirit, there to help, to support, and to be there whenever a need comes up.
If you need help with a move, his hands are up: here I am, how can I help? If you need your taxes done, here I am, happy to help! Al has done many people's taxes. When a family member passes on, Al takes charge and helps coordinate much of the proceedings and family needs. Always there, hands up, ready to help.
One of Al's passions has been coaching. He has helped hundreds of athletes not only become better, but he teaches them the more valuable lessons of life as part of the experience.
Al is an amazing and incredible father, always there in support of his direct family in the important things in their lives.
If there has ever been someone who has been in full support throughout my life, not just physically but as a mentor, counselor, confidant, etc., it is my friend and Brother, Albert Samuel To'a.
Hands up, unconditionally ready to protect and support in any way needed.
This is who he is, IT IS JUST IN HIS BLOOD!
Love you Al
Your friend and brother, always
Al has had my back since I was a kid. I know many others would echo my sentiments as he has been an impact in many other people’s lives.
Anytime I hear the Twenty One Pilots song “My blood”, I think of him!
Family, the players he coached, the people he fed. Everyone whose life his hands touched.
Nobody by that name has written yet.
"This card shows what the optional questions do. Three words, how long they've known him, and one story. Each one is skippable, but every one that gets filled in makes the card look better."
"Memories can come with a photo attached. An old picture of AL nobody's seen in years lands right below their words, printed like a snapshot taped to the card."
"And this one's the special card. A voice memo. AL doesn't just read this memory. He presses play and hears them say it."
"Anyone he coached can add one too. Their name, the years they played, and the thing he said that they still hear in their head."
