I must say, all in all, June 2011has been an exceptionally great month. It had to be because up to this point January through May (pardon my language) sucked!
June however has been fantastic.
Yesterday it continued as my boy surprised me and I was able to spend the day with him and his girlfriends daughter. Watching him with her was a special moment for me. First, she is a wonderful 4 year old full of energy. My boy was fantastic with her. We spent the afternoon at "The Taste of Tacoma." Google Point Defiance Park for reference. Your typical food, gift and carnival event.
Anybody who has taken a 4 year old to an event like this knows that it can be tough if you are not careful. Well, I must say, the boy was fantastic and Bella was great. Holding her hand to the front of the park her eyes went right to the rides. Eric knelt down to eye level and explained how we were going to do things (to Bella not me). A snow cone started the day then a trip to the crafters. Eric was looking to get something for Bella's mom. All the while Bella was happy to take in everything. Eric kept watch on Bella and knew it was time for rides. We did the dragon roller coaster, the super slide and a grab the duck game. After we got some ice cream and sat and listened to some live music. Then a couple more rides and games. I loved how Eric made sure she was safe on the rides, took pictures and videos. Not all 28 year old boys would remember such things and how important they would be for Bella's mom who was at work.
See, it isn't really what we did that was important but it was the way in which my boy took charge of the situation and made it a great day for Bella. There was never a tear, never an argument and she had fun the entire day.
I am proud of all my kids but yesterday Eric made my day. Yes, June is a great month.
June is the month for summer basketball. Today I refereed two games at a local high school summer basketball tournament. Top teams from the northwest. My first game was pretty good. Both teams played well we called a good game.
The second game was also a good game and again the kids played well and we did a good job. The second game has me thinking though.
During warm ups before the game I was checking out the players and I noticed something about one of the players. He was probably 16 or 17 about 5'7" and appeared to be in pretty good shape. He also had only one hand. His right hand was missing. He went through pregame drills and when the game started he was on the bench. He came in during the second half and played pretty much the whole half. The kid could play. He wasn't the best player on the court but he was far from the worse. Maybe at first most of us on the court saw him as the "one handed" player but after a few minutes after he stole the ball, lead a fast break and handled the offense like a seasoned vet, we saw him as a kid trying to make the team.
It was one of those moments that transcends the game. I have no idea about anything about this young man. I don't know his background, his parents or his story. What I do know is that today is his teammates, coaches, fans, other team and coaches and three referees know is that he can play ball. Today he was a ball player, nothing more or nothing less. Not a one handed ball player but a ball player. Period.
Yesterday was a great day. My oldest daughter Erin Rene' was married. It was a beautiful day (actually the nicest day of the year, 80°). Anybody familiar with the Pacific Northwest will tell you planing anything outdoors is risky. With only a handful of days that were over 60°
we were a bit worried.
The event was held at Chambers Bay Golf Course which is a new link style course getting rave reviews in the USA and around the world. The course is 4 years old and will host the U.S. Open in 2015. My son Eric and Erin's brother has worked at Chambers from opening day. This past summer he was the liaison between the golf course and the USGA for the U.S. Armature Open.
I could not be more proud of all my children and yesterday was a great testament to how much they have all grown into young adults and good people.
My youngest, Caitlin, was a beautiful bridesmaid for her sister. I hung out with her most of the day and we had a great chance to talk like fathers and daughters do once in a great while. My boy Eric was fantastic. Since the Golf Course is his home turf he made sure that his sister had the best of everything. He came through with flying colors. If that isn't enough, His beautiful girl friend Amy was the wedding coordinator. Hands down she was the hardest working person at the wedding. We all owe Amy much for taking her day and making sure Erin had a great wedding. She did not let anybody down and we owe her much. We love you Amy.
I could not be more proud of both bride and groom. I welcome Jakob to the family as my new son. A native of Alaska, he is a smart, fun, easy going young man. Jakob is a talented hockey player and manages a famous sporting goods store. He is one of the brightest young man I know. There is not enough space to describe how I feel about Erin. A very independent young lady, outgoing and brilliant. Erin is a software consultant and travels the country solving problems for companies. They are both an example of why we need not worry about the future of our country. With people like Jakob and Erin we will be just fine.
Kathy was absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed every minute and held hands most all of the night. Next to the bride and groom we were the happiest couple at the wedding. Everybody was expecting the father of the bride to have a melt down (including "the father of the bride" himself)! It did not happen. Okay, I did start to cry a
bit when the Godfather theme started for the Father and Daughter dance.
I have included the link to some pictures of the wedding. I hope you enjoy them.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150206814219445.328158.36496874444
