And now....it's time to support Peter and Isa

Early in the morning on February 21st, one of the most magical humans the world has ever known, left us. Valerie Marina Feliciano Barrios--Jewel--passed peacefully at home.

My name is Rupa and I met Val in 1998 at Northwestern Welcome Weekend to decide if we wanted to attend in the Fall. It was a clear, “Yes!" and we began our beautiful adventure of adulting together.

I feel so humbled and lucky that Valerie, Peter and Isa + their families trusted me to be with them this week to support. I feel a duty to continue that role. Let me be super clear:

Peter and Isa STILL need us.

There is a fourth trimester to a cancer death. Peter and Isa must take time to grieve, process and find a new normal. But as a single dad now, he’s already saddled with trying to figure out how he’ll manage home ownership, medical bills, childcare costs, flights for family, uninsured mental health and self-care, etc etc etc etc.

Peter needs real REST. And he’s earned it!!! For two years he lived with daily uncertainty yet somehow maintained a massive amount of emotional availability to be the most incredible caretaker to Valerie, Isa and all of us. But we all know to offer that level of dedication comes with sacrifice—he wasn’t able to work full time.

So let’s gift him his bereavement period. I’m making the ask so he doesn’t have to. And because I promised Val I’d help mobilize her community to support Peter and Isa’s success.

Sending so much love to all of you….and Valerie!

—Rupa