A BUSY, EMOTIONAL WEEKEND

 

Girls

Friday night, we had the blessing of watching Owen walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma from Jefferson High School. He greeted, and was greeted, by many friends as they celebrated the completion of this stage of their life and prepare for the next. My mind can still see him, along with Anna and Mason, walking down 10th street from our house as they walked to Earhart Elementary. For that amount of time to pass so quickly that he was now graduating from high school was hard to fathom.

Saturday we watched Owen pitch in his last high school baseball game. It was very moving to watch as he walked off the mound for the last time. His long-time friend Brady walked out to the mound to share in a big hug, just the two of them. In their minds, maybe recalling all those years ( 9? ) of playing baseball together, the practices, the car and bus rides, the meals, the hotels, the trips, the close games, the ones that got away, the many victories shared as pitcher and catcher and the friendship deepened by it all. 

Then, one-by-one, the remaining on-field teammates walked over to give him a hug as well, showing their appreciation for all he did for the team. Even several of the opposing team players and fans applauded as he walked off the field. Owen was a well-respected, loved teammate and competitor and it showed. 

Sunday, we celebrated with a party at the Linder ranch as friends and family gathered to wish Owen congratulations and best wishes for the future. We have great pride in Owen and the challenges he faced head-on during his academic and athletic career, from grade school through high school. 

Academically, he was faithful to get his work done, he was respectful to his teachers and never created trouble for himself, his friends or the school.

Athletically, not everyone has the courage to shoot the basketball in pressure situations knowing your action may win, but also may lose the game for you, your teammates and the school you represent. Few players have the skills, or the desire, to be the guy on the mound, involved in every play that occurs, again knowing what you do may help your team to win, but also be the reason for a loss. 

Guts. Not everyone has them. Owen does. We are proud and excited to see where 'the kid with guts' goes next.

REMEMBER:  Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. – Lao Tzu

Be talkin’ to ya.
Dad

Family memories

Girls

A few days ago, your mom got news that her cousin Paul Hoalt had passed away unexpectedly. That was sad news to hear. Paul was such a fun-loving, nice guy. We knew him to always be in a good mood, laughing about whatever was happening at the time. Always kind. Always willing to help in any way. 

He was at mamaw’s funeral a few months ago and his last words to us was about seeing us at the next fish fry this fall. 

You see, every October Paul hosted a fish fry at his house in the country. He spent all spring and summer catching fish and freezing them, and then had all the family over to fry them up. Everyone else’s job was to bring some side dishes and eat up the fish. It was his way of keeping the Hoalt family reunion going. 

I’m sure you girls remember when we used to drive to Vincennes and meet at the park for mamaw’s Hoalt family reunion and the many, many people who were there. Mom’s uncles, aunts and many cousins along with new little kids and babies and lots and lots of food, horseshoes, baseball, talking and more talking and swings to swing in and slides to slide on. 

The fish fries at Paul’s house were equally well attended. It was a chance to catch up with everyone again if you hadn’t seen them since last year. 

I miss those old reunions in the park. And I will miss the fish fries at Paul’s house. I hope Paul’s brothers will find a way to keep the fish fry going. It would be a good way to honor Paul...and to keep those old comfortable memories going.

 

REMEMBER: If you don't take time to thank God for the good things, please don't blame Him for the bad things. 

Be talkin’ to ya.
Dad