GOODBYE MICHAEL

This has been a shocking...heart-wrenching weekend. Now...we're left with heavy hearts. A too-young friend of our family...including our grandchildren...has died...and it hurts.

Michael was in a freak accident Friday night...not six hours after I saw and spoke to him. As usual...I parted ways with a smile on my face as Michael and I exchanged words...that made us each smile. How could I know...that that would be our last conversation...well...one that I could hear Michael's response anyway.

Through the weekend...Michael's wife Heather kept us up to date from his ICU room. Cindy & I stopped in to see the two of them several times too. Michael hit his head in the accident...and was never responsive from that moment on. Late last night...it was determined that there would be no miracle for Michael...as Heather said...at least not the miracle we were praying for.

Once Heather realized that the miracle she, and her family and friends, was praying for wouldn't happen...the next miracle she prayed for was that some of Michael's organs could be used to help others. That one came true.

My heart is happy for those other families whose miracle they were praying for...was answered. But my heart is heavy...because Michael's three little children...are now left without a daddy.

Heather...has watched over our 3 grandchildren since they were very young. They have grown up at Michael and Heather's house. Michael was such a blessing to our 3 little ones. He was 'a kid' with them when they needed him to be...he loved on them when they needed it...and he corrected them when they needed it too.

We shared with them last night that Michael was not going to survive his injuries and was going to die. They are sad. And we are sad with them.

It will be a hard battle for Heather to win...but our family will do our best to help her and her three little ones...Ellie...Tage...and Sawyer...through the hardship.

Michael...we are so sorry that this has happened. I told you last night in your room...thanks for taking care of my grandchildren for me. I now pledge to help take care of your little ones for you.

Rest in Peace Michael.


Dan

ROBERTS STADIUM

An article today says ‘Pieces of Evansville stadium to be salvaged’

Well there’s only one Evansville 'stadium' that I knew of…Roberts Stadium. My first memories of Roberts Stadium was when I was very young…5 or 6 or 7 years old maybe. From our home in Owensville…about 30 minutes northwest of Evansville…we would frequently drive by Roberts Stadium on our way to see mom, or take her back to the state hospital where she was a patient.

The University of Evansville's basketball team...the Purple Aces...played their basketball games in Roberts Stadium. And in the '60s, Roberts Stadium became a frequent stop for me.

My high school, Vincennes Lincoln, had some very successful basketball teams in my high school years. At tournament time…sectionals were played at Adams Coliseum in Vincennes…regionals were played in Washington…and the semi state was played in Evansville at Roberts Stadium. It was huge…by my standards then…and a great place for us watch our basketball teams win games.

One of the things that made it different...at the time...was that the basketball surface was below ground level. Rather than walking into a stadium where the main floor was at street level...and you climbed up and up the steps to get to your seats...at Roberts Stadium...you walked in to the upper level of the arena...and you walked 'down' to your seats.

Also during those high school years…many of my ‘music’ buddies and I, went to Roberts Stadium to attend concerts of some of the popular bands of the time. I saw bands like Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, Three Dog Night, Rod Stewart, Badfinger, Seals and Crofts, and Canned Heat..all in Roberts Stadium...just to mention a few that come to mind.

Well…the old stadium has apparently outlived its usefulness. I suppose there is a new stadium somewhere else in town that now does the events that Roberts Stadium used to.

The article says the stadium will be torn down and converted to a park site. They hope that some of the contents of the stadium can be sold off to people…like me…who have good memories of the old building. Reportedly, some of the seats from Roberts Stadium are to be moved to the Mesker Ampitheatre, and some of the bricks from the arena will be auctioned off to raise funds for the University of Evansville. 

It will sure look different…the next time I drive through Evansville and pass the site where the stadium sat. Memories from over 50 years run through my mind…and apparently that will be all that remains…memories.

Dan

'BRACING' FOR THE FUTURE

It's been an interesting week at the house...and a boon for several of our local Orthodontists.

Anna went to the Orthodontist Monday and will have braces put on her teeth...but not now...maybe later this year...maybe next year.  She has to have a few of her adult teeth grow in before they'll put them on. But it's gonna happen.

Mason went to a different Orthodontist on Tuesday...and he will have braces go on in mid-August...just before school starts for the fall.  He has an under-bite that they want to fix. He's lucky in that he will only have to wear them for about 6 months...so they think. He might need further work done in the future...when his adult teeth finish coming in...but the one's going on in August will fix the immediate problem.

Owen went to Anna's Orthodontist yesterday...and he will get braces in about 10 days. His will be on for about a year...then they will come off to let some of his baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in...and then will likely need another set of braces when that happens.

Three grand babies...all needing braces. The Orthodontists must have some car payments due or something.

I was hoping to retire some day but...oh well...retirement is overrated!


Dan