Just Incredible

-
There were so many wonderful moments at the Memorial Softball Tourney for Jeff.

Almost too many to mention, but each wonderful moment has been filed away, and through the next several weeks our family will thank all who helped make it another rousing success for Jeff's kids.

But as I sit behind the keyboard, hardly feeling anything other than pain, I just smile at so many things:

My wonderful cousins from Maryland and Delaware who just give and give and give. My cousin Mary Ann bringing a beautiful banner that welcomed all to the tourney with photos of Jeff and the kids - it simply brought tears to about 300 eyes. Jan, Diane, Pops, Jeffy, Millie...just so many people.

Dave Neisser who provided wonderful memorabilia. Dave is my son Sam's all-time favorite. My Uncle Lenny who won the signed baseball from Yankee pitcher David Phelps, and promptly handed the ball to Sam. My cousin Sally who came from Florida to be there.

And the baskets!

Just wonderful donations for a basket auction that is so great it just makes me laugh. Kim and Terrie and Larry Bowman and so many, many more.

One basket more beautiful than the one before.

And the games?

I roped the first ball into center for a double.

It should've been a triple.

Then I decided to be smart and get a kid to run for me.

It didn't matter.

We won our first two games and then had to sit for two games.

It was in that time that I stiffened up.

"I need the Tin Man's oil can," I told my cousin.

And it was worse than that.

I sat on the ground so the kids could try and throw marshmallows into my mouth for a door prize.

(Some of those kids had anger in their eyes. I was glad I didn't see them throwing the vienna sausages into the cup attached to my back - I was eating pickled eggs when that was going on).

And in the end...

...I ate an awful lot of stuffed peppers in a 72 hour period.

We put a healthy donation into the kids college fund.

I laughed 7 thousand times and I looked up all day long, and Thanked God for a wonderful group of people.

Just Incredible.

All day long I thought of Jeff, of course, and I laughed every single time when I considered that he would've owned a day like Sunday.

He lived for such celebrations.

Every day.

Thank you to all who remind us of that love.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more