I decided to start curling my hair because it's getting longer and when it's straight it looks like a mop on my head by the end of the day in this crazy heat!! So yesterday this was the conversation....
Will - are you going to work with your hair like that?
Me - yes, why?
Will - looks like bedhead!!!
I just love kids!!
Another quote:
Will: I think Caroline is more Mexican than American
Christian: Will's right we should sell her to the Mexicans
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Gary Golson
My good friend Gary Golson passed away July 7, 2011. He fought a two year long courageous battle with skin cancer, before he was welcomed to heaven with open arms. Gary was 54 years old, with a beautiful loving wife Gaby, that is one of my best friends and two young sons, Gabe 7 and Gavin 2. Gary asked me to speak at his memorial service, and the following is what I wrote to remember him and celebrate his life.
Gary would tell you that he lived his life in the reverse order of most people. He traveled the world, made friends everywhere he went, but didn't meet the love of his life until he was 44 years old. Gaby and Gary have the most beautiful love story. It was truly a "love boat" moment when they met. Neither one of them spoke the other's language very well, but somehow they had a very real connection. I remember Gary telling me the story of their meeting on the cruise ship and he said, he knew right away that she was the one. It's not hard to see why Gaby loves him so, and is evidenced by this sanctuary filled with friends and family today. Though he said he lived his life in reverse order, I'm sure he would tell you that the last 11 years have been the best of his life.
I love hearing the stories about Gary during college, and in his single days of his 20's and 30's, and you can tell that he didn't miss a beat and was living every moment to the fullest. But the guy that was the first one ready to party back then, and the last to drag in, in the wee hours of the morning is not the man I know. I know him as a family man, completely devoted to his wife and two boys.
I'll never forget the day that we met...We were at Primrose school, a local preschool, that both our boys attended. It was a party day in their classroom, and as was typical a bunch of mom's come with snacks and treats for the kids and here comes Gary. Big smile on his face, party favors in hand. All the boys were sitting around one table having their snacks, except Gabe. Gary asked Gabe, "don't you want to sit with your friends"?
Gabe said a very matter of fact, "no". Gary asked again trying to persuade him to join in the fun, and Gabe wasn't moving. So, Gary picks up the chair with Gabe in it, while he's kicking and screaming saying, "put me down, I don't want to"....Gary's fighting him the whole way, he cannot believe he has a kid that isn't as much a social butterfly as he is. When he puts the chair down, Gabe gets up and walks back to the other table and Gary throws his hands up in frustration. That was the moment that I knew we would be fast friends!!
We have a tight group of friends that blossomed out of friendships formed by little boys from their preschool days, but the glue that holds us all together is the love we have for our kids. Gary was a big part of that group and certainly always brought the party spirit into everything. I have a little saying that I use for Gary...have cooler will travel. The rest of us were carrying diaper bags and juice boxes, Gary brought the adult beverages. He was very popular!!
Gary had an entrepreneurial spirit that was unmatched. He used to call me, very serious, and ask me to meet with him the next day. Gaby told him to stop calling all mysterious, makes it sound like their getting a divorce or something. I knew better, he had an idea and he wanted to share.
He'd come by my office and he would tell me about a new business venture and ask me what I thought. I enjoyed those visits, talking shop with him, and I always appreciated his never ending thirst for adventure and the chase. I believe you either have that gambling spirit in your blood, or you don't. Gary and I share that trait, big time.
I feel a little cheated really that I only knew Gary for the last 7 years of his life. The outpouring of love and support that came his way in the last two years is nothing short of amazing. He had friends and family from all over this country, Mexico, Italy, and as far back as elementary school sending him well wishes. The thing that has always struck me the most is his unselfishness. If you asked him how he was feeling he would answer, but then always redirect and ask about you and your family. In his last days, he summoned up all his strength to say goodbye to as many people as he could. He said he would be our guardian angel and would watch over all of us and our kids. He had many jobs during his life, but I believe that is the job he will keep until we see him again in heaven.
I miss him already.....
I love hearing the stories about Gary during college, and in his single days of his 20's and 30's, and you can tell that he didn't miss a beat and was living every moment to the fullest. But the guy that was the first one ready to party back then, and the last to drag in, in the wee hours of the morning is not the man I know. I know him as a family man, completely devoted to his wife and two boys.
I'll never forget the day that we met...We were at Primrose school, a local preschool, that both our boys attended. It was a party day in their classroom, and as was typical a bunch of mom's come with snacks and treats for the kids and here comes Gary. Big smile on his face, party favors in hand. All the boys were sitting around one table having their snacks, except Gabe. Gary asked Gabe, "don't you want to sit with your friends"?
Gabe said a very matter of fact, "no". Gary asked again trying to persuade him to join in the fun, and Gabe wasn't moving. So, Gary picks up the chair with Gabe in it, while he's kicking and screaming saying, "put me down, I don't want to"....Gary's fighting him the whole way, he cannot believe he has a kid that isn't as much a social butterfly as he is. When he puts the chair down, Gabe gets up and walks back to the other table and Gary throws his hands up in frustration. That was the moment that I knew we would be fast friends!!
We have a tight group of friends that blossomed out of friendships formed by little boys from their preschool days, but the glue that holds us all together is the love we have for our kids. Gary was a big part of that group and certainly always brought the party spirit into everything. I have a little saying that I use for Gary...have cooler will travel. The rest of us were carrying diaper bags and juice boxes, Gary brought the adult beverages. He was very popular!!
Gary had an entrepreneurial spirit that was unmatched. He used to call me, very serious, and ask me to meet with him the next day. Gaby told him to stop calling all mysterious, makes it sound like their getting a divorce or something. I knew better, he had an idea and he wanted to share.
He'd come by my office and he would tell me about a new business venture and ask me what I thought. I enjoyed those visits, talking shop with him, and I always appreciated his never ending thirst for adventure and the chase. I believe you either have that gambling spirit in your blood, or you don't. Gary and I share that trait, big time.
I feel a little cheated really that I only knew Gary for the last 7 years of his life. The outpouring of love and support that came his way in the last two years is nothing short of amazing. He had friends and family from all over this country, Mexico, Italy, and as far back as elementary school sending him well wishes. The thing that has always struck me the most is his unselfishness. If you asked him how he was feeling he would answer, but then always redirect and ask about you and your family. In his last days, he summoned up all his strength to say goodbye to as many people as he could. He said he would be our guardian angel and would watch over all of us and our kids. He had many jobs during his life, but I believe that is the job he will keep until we see him again in heaven.
I miss him already.....
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