Ryan and his friends shot this video over the last few days! Ryan is wearing a black shirt in some of the pics and a red shirt in some of the other shots!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Our amazing adventure with my dad
This past week my dad was cremated and today the family got together to intern my dad at the mortuary. While my son, Ryan, played his guitar in the background, Rev. Bob McDill, spoke tender loving words as my mom, brother, Joe, sister, Monica Jo, my brother in law, Jim, my aunt (dad's sister)Barbara, my uncle Alan, my cousin, Liz, Niece Kimi, great nephew Luke, Megan, Briggor and I all said our final see ya's to my dad. Another beautiful day for my dad.
The highlight of the day was our journey to three ball parks in Burbank where my dad played softball. One of my dad's final wishes was to have some of his ashes sprinkled at the pitchers mound.
Our first stop was Pacific Park which is right next to the cemetary. My brother walked right out to the mound and laid some of my dad's ashes right there. Some of us picked up a bat and gloves and headed out to "PLAY BALL!" for my dad. While we were there, a man arrived with his son and asked if they could play with us. We invited them to play. My brother eventually told the man why we were there. Explained my dad's wishes and the man started to cry and thought it was the most wonderful thing! We invited the man, his son and wife to continue on our journey to the next park and he didn't hestitate......they all came with us! :)
Next stop - Gross Park - which when my dad played for Lockheed was named L.E.R.C. Again, my brother laid ashes out at the mound and we played catch right there on the field. While some of us played - the others sat in the dugout and cheered us on! :)
Our last stop was Olive Park. My dad ended his career in softball here. He played for quite a number of years on an over 55 mens travel ball team. The field has 4 diamonds and one of the diamonds is named after my dad's over 55 team's coach. My brother decided to walk all 4 diamonds to put my dad's ashes on each one. Joe, Ryan, Briggor and I each took turns rubbing the ashes into the pitchers mounds. Finally, one last batting practice and fielding before calling it a day.
Need to mention this too - while going through some of my dad's things - a whole lot of softballs were found. At each park, we left a lot of them scattered all around the outfield, infield so others can find them and play. :) and maybe my dad would like to play no and then!
My brother finally asked the man and his family why he showed up at Pacific today. The man answered - Was looking for a place to play ball with my son. We drove up and my son said - the field is taken dad - He said his wife said - you have to go and play with them - (like the Lord was leading them right there!) They strolled up and joined us for a wonderful afternoon!
The man that traveled with us to each park had his wife go get a softball from his car and wanted us all to sign it so he can remember this beautiful day. He also shook my brother's hand, gave my mom a big hug, thanked my family and handed my brother a bible which he said was given to him when his mom passed away 3 years ago. I think we were all in shock at the amazing event that took place today! I truly believe the Lord and my dad were working together today with our family and our stranger friend!!
The highlight of the day was our journey to three ball parks in Burbank where my dad played softball. One of my dad's final wishes was to have some of his ashes sprinkled at the pitchers mound.
Our first stop was Pacific Park which is right next to the cemetary. My brother walked right out to the mound and laid some of my dad's ashes right there. Some of us picked up a bat and gloves and headed out to "PLAY BALL!" for my dad. While we were there, a man arrived with his son and asked if they could play with us. We invited them to play. My brother eventually told the man why we were there. Explained my dad's wishes and the man started to cry and thought it was the most wonderful thing! We invited the man, his son and wife to continue on our journey to the next park and he didn't hestitate......they all came with us! :)
Next stop - Gross Park - which when my dad played for Lockheed was named L.E.R.C. Again, my brother laid ashes out at the mound and we played catch right there on the field. While some of us played - the others sat in the dugout and cheered us on! :)
Our last stop was Olive Park. My dad ended his career in softball here. He played for quite a number of years on an over 55 mens travel ball team. The field has 4 diamonds and one of the diamonds is named after my dad's over 55 team's coach. My brother decided to walk all 4 diamonds to put my dad's ashes on each one. Joe, Ryan, Briggor and I each took turns rubbing the ashes into the pitchers mounds. Finally, one last batting practice and fielding before calling it a day.
Need to mention this too - while going through some of my dad's things - a whole lot of softballs were found. At each park, we left a lot of them scattered all around the outfield, infield so others can find them and play. :) and maybe my dad would like to play no and then!
My brother finally asked the man and his family why he showed up at Pacific today. The man answered - Was looking for a place to play ball with my son. We drove up and my son said - the field is taken dad - He said his wife said - you have to go and play with them - (like the Lord was leading them right there!) They strolled up and joined us for a wonderful afternoon!
The man that traveled with us to each park had his wife go get a softball from his car and wanted us all to sign it so he can remember this beautiful day. He also shook my brother's hand, gave my mom a big hug, thanked my family and handed my brother a bible which he said was given to him when his mom passed away 3 years ago. I think we were all in shock at the amazing event that took place today! I truly believe the Lord and my dad were working together today with our family and our stranger friend!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
My Dad's Memorial Service
Last Friday, Family and Friends gathered to say a few incredible words about my dad. Old Friends, family, past ball players came to pay their respects. My dad would have loved the service even though you told my mom NOT to have the memorial. :)
Rev. Bob McDill presided over the service and it was a time of laughter and a time for tears. It was so wonderful to sit in the first pew and hear words that described my dad. You realize that just one person has touched so many lives.
After the service, we gathered at my parents house. It was a great day to reflect on my dad!
As of this writing a week has gone by since my dad has passed. It is amazing how fast time flies! There isn't a day that I don't think about my dad. The tears are falling less often. I smile at night when I step outside to see the stars. They remind me of my dad. I smile when I see an airplane fly across the sky. They remind me of my dad. The tomatoes that are growing outside, remind me of my dad. The memories are still there - forever in my heart!
My dad was certainly a gift from God and I thank Him everyday for that gift.
Rev. Bob McDill presided over the service and it was a time of laughter and a time for tears. It was so wonderful to sit in the first pew and hear words that described my dad. You realize that just one person has touched so many lives.
After the service, we gathered at my parents house. It was a great day to reflect on my dad!
As of this writing a week has gone by since my dad has passed. It is amazing how fast time flies! There isn't a day that I don't think about my dad. The tears are falling less often. I smile at night when I step outside to see the stars. They remind me of my dad. I smile when I see an airplane fly across the sky. They remind me of my dad. The tomatoes that are growing outside, remind me of my dad. The memories are still there - forever in my heart!
My dad was certainly a gift from God and I thank Him everyday for that gift.
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