October 31, 2009. The dark clouds rolled in fast and a storm was coming. We had planned for a casual family shoot at Lancaster County park and decided that by the time we ate lunch and got to the park, we’d probably be soaking wet. So we detoured and stopped by Jim & Martha’s Mount Joy home instead, and took some quick shots.. including some shots of my brother Yusnan and his girlfriend Mega. “A pre-engagement shoot,” I joked.
I never got a chance to shoot their engagement pictures. My brother Yusnan was killed in a car accident on his way to my home last Friday. Our hearts are heavy and we miss him so, so much already. As I was picking some pictures to be used as a display at his viewing.. suddenly I realized that what was just a trivial shoot that almost never happened now means so much more. This post is a simple tribute to his wonderful life. I encourage you to play the video clip below and read the lyrics of the song used. That’s how Yusnan lived his life. How would you live yours?
I miss you so much, brother. Goodbye, for now.
Nothing to Prove
Phillips, Craig, & Dean
You taught me how to ride a bike
Tie my shoes and fly a kite
How to swim, and how to fish
To see a star, and make a wish
Said it’s OK to make mistakes,
Just don’t get stuck in yesterday
Forgive, forget, and move ahead
Because life is what you make of it
Now you’re gone and all I have,
are memories I hold dear,
But if I’m quiet I hear your voice,
Still ringing in my ears,
Saying live with no excuses,
Love with no regrets,
Laugh a lot and leave this life
With nothing left unsaid,
Make this world a better place,
Dont be afraid to cry,
And when it’s finally time to say goodbye
Nothing to prove, nothing to lose, nothing to hide
You said life can not be measured by
The place you live, the car you drive,
The thing that counts the day you die
is who you are, and what’s inside
So tell the truth, don’t ever lie
Integrity at any price
Your words your bond, your highest prize
So guard it close, and live your life
So many things I learned from you,
bout life, and learn, and play,
But I learned more by how you lived
Then what I heard you say
Saying live with no excuses,
Love with no regrets,
Laugh a lot and leave this life
With nothing left unsaid,
Make this world a better place,
Dont be afraid to cry,
And when it’s finally time to say goodbye
Nothing to prove, nothing to lose, nothing to hide
I only want to live my life
Half as well as you
To leave behind what I receive
Is all I want to do
So I live with no excuses
And I love with no regrets
I laugh a lot and I leave this life
with nothing left unsaid
Make this world a better place,
Dont be afraid to cry,
And when it’s finally time to say goodbye
And when it’s finally time to say goodbye
And when it’s finally time to say goodbye
Nothing to prove, nothing to lose, nothing to hide
Ko, this was beautiful! I cried all the way the video played. I even saw some pics of me and Yusnan and all friends together. I remember, about a week or so I just had a little chit chat about H1 visa and he encouraged me, wished me good luck. And he told me that he was a little confused about his visa but he told me that God is in ocntrol.SUch a relief! Cant believe that he doesnt need his H1 anymore because he’s in a better place. Your family and Mega are always in my prayers. God is GOOD all the time!
love the pics, badly I can’t open the video.
I’m always hope they can engage and we all can be family, but GOD who give the way and this is His way for us. Really miss Ko Yusnan, he and my sister really teach me a lot of what I’m should do in my live…
thanks for share all this with us ko, You guys always in my prayers =)
Farid, what a touching tribute to the memories Yusnan left behind. Thank you for sharing this with us all…
this is a very wonderful and great song!i was really touched and was very grateful for God had done in my life through your brother’s life. Amazing how God works! you and your fam will be in my prayer! GBU
Farid.. I just watched the tribute for Yusnan and read lots of comments in Yusnan, you, and mega’s wall.. really really touch by it.. Masih inget bgt road trip bareng Yusnan, dia selalu jalan paling terakhir utk lindungi ce2.. klo makan juga duduknya terakhir ngalah sama yg lain..trus dr satu tmpt ke tmpt lain, gua inget dia suka itung2 apa ada yg blm bareng.. such a great guy really make me proud to have a friend like him.. and yes, u and your whole family pasti proud.. I can see kalian semua tabah dan bersandar sama Tuhan Yesus.. may all this comfort Yusnan juga ya.. =) Cerita seorg yusnan, gua share di kelompok bible study last week dan di satu gathering, semua bener2 touch by it and bener2 remind kt akan byk hal.. Salam buat semua ya rid.. let me know klo butuh bantuan ya.. Soli Deo Gloria..
what a beautiful tribute to your brother. I was so saddened to read this. You and your family will be in my prayers. May God’s grace give you peace.
Sweet photographs and a very well done tribute. Picture spoke thousand words. Yusnan fulfilled his life, and blissfully loved. He’s completed, even though he might not had a chance to enjoy his bonus from heaven on earth
oh my…..In my memory, Yusnan was always my underclassman at high school who was always so cheerful and warm….I still had a picture of him with me and oka (stovila/mukabantal) and also with a girl whose name I had forgotten….I never thought that he’d gone away so soon….
My condolences to you and your whole family Farid-sempai….and to Mega as well….
A very touching one Farid…We do love Yusnan but God loves him more than anything else !!!
Cling to Him….
Ko..thanks so much for creating the blog and video..I know that Yusnan is proud to have you as his brother,ko..
He will be greatly missed, but I know that he will always be in our hearts..
He is now smiling (even laughing..)in heaven and we’ll see him again.
Such a beautiful tribute. You guys are all so very strong in the Lord. What a joy to be a christian. Our hope is not in vain in the Lord.
Farid, I was just looking at your website cause I love your photography style. Never did I expect to see this
……Your tribute to your brother was awesome, thanks for sharing. Your family will be in my prayers and I would like to share two of my favorite scriptures………Death is so unnatural…..we can take comfort in scriptures such as John 5:28, 29 “Most truly I say to YOU, The hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who have given heed will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to do judging, because Son of man he is. 28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment…………Here Jesus promises to resurrect our loved ones……..and at Revelation 21:3,4 it is promised a time when death, sickness, and pain will be taken away…..it says :With that I heard a loud voice from the throne says: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”……..Take comfort in what the bible teaches and the promises God has in store. May your artistic gift be an outlet for you to release the emotion you no doubt feel, and help you continue to capture those short lived moments of life.
Farid,
My heart goes out to you and your family. This is a beautiful tribute to your brother. God bless you.
Sincerely,
Anoa