My little athletes

Good morning Dad! Every time my kids do something spectacular in sports I have the urge to pick up the phone and call you. I remember once in the baseball season after you died I was sitting in the stands and Clayton hit a home run. I immediately reached for my cell phone and started to dial your number. Man it hit me like a brick while I was dialing that you wouldn't be there to brag to. Thank you for all the times you made it all the way from Brenham to our sports activities. You did get to see some basktball and soccer and Christian play baseball. I'm glad you didn't miss out on all of it.

Anyway, the real reason for this entry was to let you know that Christian's Optimist football team won the Championship this year. They were undefeated for the year and even though Christian played mostly defense he did score one touchdown. I remember seeing a picture of you in a football uniform. Were you fast like my boys? I'll have to ask Aunt Beverely.

All the boys have turned out to be very good athletes. Clayton plays everything really well and we are giving him golf lessons all year round. They all played this summer and did really good in tournaments.

You would be so proud of their abilities but mostly sportmanship. They are learning how to win and lose graciously. They are learning how to get along with all types of people even screaming coaches. I'm proud too.

I think I'll just assume that you can see us from up there. Enjoy the games!!!!

One of your best qualities....

You were mentioned the other day in a conversation between my father-in-law, his mother, and I think one of the kids was standing there in the kitchen with us too. We were talking about how generally healthy I am and the kids are and counting our blessings. I mentioned that except for the cancer you and MawMaw were extememly strong people. BV, (my father-in-law) said he remembered the day you came to Clayton's 5th Birthday party in 2001. That would have been in November, only a month before you passed away. He said he remembered how you came and visited with everyone and never let on how much pain you were in or how hard that trip must have been. He admired you for that and I think it has helped him see how strong I can be too. I didn't realize the sacrifice you made that day until you were so sick only a few weeks later. I didn't know until this conversation with BV that anyone else had noticed your bravery or selflessness either. After you were gone I wondered if you knew how happy we were to have you there that day. And I need you to know now what it meant to us, even my inlaws. So I just wanted to say thank you for coming to that birthday party. Thank you for making that huge effort. Thank you for teaching me to be a strong person.