...Andrew Paul Ferrarone...

I am writing to let you all know why I am behind on my writing. For good reason, I am so sad to say that, a few days ago, my wife Linda and I received a phone call from our beloved daughter-in-law, Nina, that our son, Andrew, her husband, was mountain climbing and fell to the ground. He was eventually helicoptered out of the mountain range and taken to Loma Linda Hospital in Loma Linda, California. He was admitted with most serious head injuries and they were never able to keep him alive. He died yesterday, July 15, 2026. His beautiful wife, Nina, was with him in the mountains when he slipped and fell at her feet. She continued to give him CPR but it was very difficult to keep him alive. Even the paramedics had difficulty keeping his heart beating.

In a few days we will join Andrew for the last time in his Walk of Honor, escorting his body to the OR where his wishes to donate his organs will be honored. He will then be cremated.

Andrew was born on September 16, 1992, along with his brother Tom and his sister Caroline. For 33 years they have blessed our life as fraternal triplets. Andrew was such a kind, generous, and brilliant son. He excelled in academics and in everything he ever became interested in. But nothing excited him more than to share his life and considerable gifts with others. He was a quiet, generous, and loving son to Linda and me. He helped his friends in untold ways, including helping them set up careers in computer coding. He and his wife, Nina, were 5 weeks pregnant with their first child when he died. They wanted to share this news with Linda and me upon our arrival in California. But now he is dead. 

This is such a lesson, with volumes of learning to be had, lessons in my head and lessons in my heart. I am not angry with God, because I know He did not cause Andrew’s death. God caused His life. But God has never been a puppeteer holding strings tied to our shoulders, arms, and legs. No, Jesus lets us live our lives freely. And even though He knows everything that is going to happen, He allows accidents to happen as part of the normal course of life. We all have a date of birth and a date of death. I believe that God was the first to shed tears when Andrew fell from the mountain. Any good that Andrew did in his life, I give God all the credit. And any time Andrew fell short of God’s plan for his life, Andrew had no one to blame but himself. That is the meaning of Grace, and it is true for all of us.

So today I am thanking God for hearing my prayers to heal Andrew. The hard part is just that God healed Andrew by taking him home for eternity. But God answered my prayer, as promised. 

I go through some hours in tears, I miss him deeply. But I go through many more hours remembering Andrew’s blessings to me and to others. And for that reason I thank God. He was such a beautiful human being! Kindness and gentleness, love and compassion, were among his many personal gifts, and these are gifts of God! God willing, I hope someday to hold his baby, for he will be the greatest gift both he and Nina ever give to the world. I will feel his warmth when I hold his baby. When I look into the eyes of the baby, I expect to see a bit of Andrew.

So friends, I write to tell you that I need your love and prayers to get through this loss. I cannot do this on my own. One of the greatest gifts God ever gave to me is gone, and that is hard no matter how deep my faith might be.  I pray that Andrew who taught me so much in life, will teach me even more in his death.

So, take time today and be in prayer. Love God for all He has given you, and don’t blame God. God loves us with an everlasting love, and nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Pray for the mercy and forgiveness of God, for that is what God LOVES to do! And remember, more good will come to you in your life by being faithful to God, than any other thing you ever do!

I close with a poem, my favorite poem, from Robert Frost. I believe it could have been written by Andrew about how He lived His life. It’s called “The Friend.”

When a friend calls to me from the road

and slows his horse to a meaningful walk,

I don’t stand still and look around on all the hills I haven’t hoed,

and shout from where I stand, “What is it?”

No, not as there is a time to talk.

I thrust my hoe into the mellow ground,

with blade end-up and five feet tall.

I go up to the stone wall for a friendly visit!

Dear God, may Andrew’s soul and all the souls of the dead, rest in peace. Amen!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.