In Memoriam

Feeling overcome with sadness tonight.


And if I don't write it down, it will seep into my bones and the right words will never come again.


I don't even know if they will come now, but I'll try.


Jordan's coach passed away unexpectedly this week.


He was a great man, husband, father of five, coach, friend....everything good and great in this world.


Our family knew him in his role of Coach. Jordan liked his baseball tips. Jamie would come home from practices raving about how "Coach Mike" was always so positive and encouraging with the boys. I could tell they were on the same page in that area.


And, Jordan became a better player and kid because of him.


I have found over the years in parenting...even though you can do every possible thing to raise your kids right...love them, hug them, validate them...give them the proper manners and social skills...help them through the challenges, but let them fall when they need to...expose them to great experiences in the world...protect them from the bad...and give them mostly good...it's still not enough.


there are always those people, in the most unexpected times in your kids' lives...


that will fill in the gaps with even more good.


Coach Mike did that for my son, and I will be forever grateful.


I remember one time after a disappointing game...he pulled Jordan to the side. Just my son.


Of course, I watched them. Coach Mike was all animated, waving his arms, slapping Jordan on his shoulders, and saying lots of "stuff". Baseball talk.


Jordan just stood there and nodded. Like he always does when a coach talks to him.


Big eyes. Nodding. Quiet. Maybe an occasional "ok".


I was dying to know what was said. Later Jordan relayed the entire conversation to me, but Coach Mike's message was:


You can do it.

You did good.

And you can do even better next time.

Tonight, the entire team slowly walked into Coach Mike's memorial service.


Wearing their uniforms.


Black bands on their arms, bearing Coach Mike's name.


Coversations stopped. His wife and son were overcome.


and I don't know how she found the strength to do it, but Mike's wife walked up to our team.

I watched my own son's eyes fill with tears...nodding his head as always... as she struggled to tell them:

"I want to thank you for being here. Mike loved you boys...SO MUCH.

He would come home from every single practice and say:

'These boys listen. These boys want to learn. These boys are respectful...and they look you in the eyes when you talk to them'.

He talked about you all the time.

Mike said more than once that your team was his favorite team to coach...EVER.

He was SO happy every time he came home from practice, and it was because of all of YOU.

So thank you for making his last months so happy. He loved you all so much."

I was in awe of the guts and bravery it took for her to step away from her own intense grief for a moment, just to speak the words that Mike would want the team to know.


Our boys will remember her words forever, and take that message with them, along with the lessons Mike taught...for the rest of their lives.


Coach Mike, Carla, Chad...and your whole family... this is for you.





















































Coach Mike...
Thank you for loving, coaching, and mentoring our boys. Our team will not be the same without you, and you will be remembered forever.