Moreau Integration Three Andy De la Garza 3/4/2022 A Reflection of a Fulfilled Life I would like to thank everyone who is in attendance for taking the time out of your busy schedules to celebrate the life of the late Andres Noe De la Garza Jr. Known by most simply as Andy, he was an individual that many found to be a reliable friend, a trusting associate, and a genuine individual. While it can be quite a difficult task to reflect on the life of a deceased friend or relative, I encourage you all to recall your favorite memories with Andy and think about the mark that he left on you as I continue to speak. Many of you who are in attendance may have first encountered Andy at his time at the University of Notre Dame. An undergraduate student from the years 2021 to 2025, Andy looked back on his time at the university with fondness, always grateful for the variety of experiences and opportunities that it provided him with. Much like the founder of Notre Dame, Father Hesburg, who valued critical thinking, faith spreading, as well as charitable activities, Andy valued variety in his life, and this can be seen through his relationship to the university (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). He was always an academically motivated student, graduating with a double major in Business Analytics and English. However, he also contributed to the community at Notre Dame. A member of the Latino Studies Scholars Program, Andy served as a mentor for younger students in his years as an upperclassman, and continued to pay visits to the directors of the program even after his graduation. His desire to learn, even after graduating, paired with his desire to serve the community represent the well-rounded individual that Andy became. https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 Having spent a fair amount of time with Andy, I was always able to identify his desire to be well-rounded. However, it was this desire that brought him quite a bit of stress at points in his life. I remember discussing future career options with him, and hearing him discuss his wide variety of interests, growing anxious as he realized he did not have one singular passion that he wished to pursue. But as he got older, he began to embrace his variety of interests, doing as much as he could with every second. One of his proudest accomplishments were the works of literature he published, which included a few novels and short stories. He often credited his works to a discussion with a friend, who left him with the following takeaway: “As scary as it might be for you to pursue a career as a writer, I don’t think you’ll be satisfied until you take that risk” (“Week Five Discernment Conversation Activity” by Noah Korth - Moreau FYE Week Five). Through reading his works for many years, it was never a doubt to me that he had a passion for writing. However, it was the fact that he balanced this with his other work that always impressed me. He also worked as a consultant for many years, and even later returned to schooling, where he achieved a PhD in English. After achieving this milestone, he would take every chance to remind young students that “Contrary to popular belief, deciding on a major does not determine the rest of your life” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Merulo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). I believe that it was through letting go of career restraints and pursuing all of his interests that Andy was able to find the most joy in his life. It brought him fulfillment that was not fleeting, and taught him the importance of applying himself. Another quote that he liked to reference was the following: “Happiness changes from moment to moment, day to day. Joy, on the other hand, is much deeper and much more central, it comes from within, and it's a genuine rightness of how one lives one’s life” (“Three Key Questions” by Fr. Micheal Hines - Moreau FYE Week Three). He took his value for education and learning and https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40253/files/467215?module_item_id=142974 applied it directly to his life, and I admire his ability to follow his interests that brought him such fulfillment. Based on all that I have said, I’m sure that those of you who were not as familiar with Andy are picturing him as a fully regimented and stressed individual who did not take time to himself. This assumption could not be further from the truth. As disciplined and hardworking as he was, Andy always made time to rest and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. He always stressed the importance of stepping away from his work and responsibilities in order to recover: “The need for an empty space, a pause, is something we have all felt in our bones; it’s the rest in a piece of music that gives it resonance and shape” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). Some of his favorite ways to regroup were reading books and short stories, as well as catching up with friends from his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. A highly motivated and driven individual, I was always amazed and impressed by Andy’s ability to calmly step back from his busy life, and it is something that I continue to implement in my own life. As much as I would love to drone on about all that I admired about Andy, I know that he would not be pleased with this assessment of him. A self-critical individual, he always valued transparency and one’s ability to acknowledge his or her own flaws: “If we’re not self-aware, it’s almost impossible to master the skills that make us stronger team players, superior leaders and better relationship builders, either at work or in the rest of our lives.” (“The Right Way to be Introspective (Yes, There’s a Wrong Way)” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week Six). Andy believed that one of the best ways to grow was through identifying his own weaknesses, of which he saw many. One that he always expressed frustration with was his ability to confront https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ others directly. While I know that he struggled with this skill, I saw him grow throughout his life and become more and more confident as he grew. As I conclude, I implore you all to remember the best parts of your relationship with Andy, and the virtues that he lived by. A well-rounded and aware individual, my goal is for all of us to grow in a way that he would appreciate. Whether through encountering new individuals or taking on a new task, there is room for all of us to grow, and I hope that we can all say “Our sphere has widened, and we find ourselves, quite unexpectedly, in a new, expansive location, in a place of endless acceptance and infinite love” (“Chapter 8: Jurisdiction” by Fr. Greg Boyle - Moreau FYE Week Seven). https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40253/files/523815?module_item_id=167944