shtuffff

Sorry for posting in two spots. Just wanted to share....

It's been a crazy, crazy week.
I was getting ready to do the Ride of Silence bike ride Wednesday night that Jeremy Webb put together. Two hours before the ride I got a call from my friend Andy Adams at the Lufkin Daily. He told me that Gary had passed away. Still stunned.
I did the ride and even wrote the story about it for the Lufkin Daily. I'm sure that's what Gary would have wanted me to do.
The next morning I get the paper and my story is right next to the story about Gary's death.
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Also that morning I took my dad to the doctor for a colonoscopy. He was worried. His pastor (my father-in-law) showed up as did my dad's lady friend. I was way outnumbered. And they were loud and embarrassing. They talked about the heat, the humidity, the wind (it's apparently windier this year than in previous ones), mine and Donna's wedding (how her dad married us and he told me I could shake the brides hand - everyone in the doctor's office heard). I was dying a slow, painful death.
Dad was okay and then when we left we went out to the airport where his lady friend works as a cook.
We sat and talked with her for a while. We were talking about my brother's wedding and trying to figure out what year it was. I remembered that Donna was pregnant with Ashton at the time so I knew what year it was. I was talking about Donna being pregnant in the pictures and I think dad's friend thought I meant mine and Donna's wedding. I wasn 't sure, but she started talking about a couple she knew that got married and the bride was pregnant at the time of the wedding. She said they have a great marriage...geez.... I didn't know what to say so I said nothing.
I get home and tell Donna, and she's like, "Great, now she thinks I'm a slut." uh oh.
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Friday I take my friend Tom to Houston to the doctor for a procedure on his hand. First I have to drive to Nacogdoches to pick up Astros tickets I ordered. They are at the Fed Ex office cause I have to sign for them and they missed me at home. Twice. I can't find the dang place. I drive around the loop twice before finally getting directions. Geez...
We're running 20 minutes late. I jump in the shower before we go. I drop a shampoo bottle on my toe. Blood everywhere....geez.... I have to take a first aid kit with us. When will it end?
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Anyway, everything goes okay. I leave when he goes in at the doctor's office. Go to a Barnes and Noble. Finally, relaxed. Leave and stop at a Chick Fil A to eat a bite. Sitting there and the doctor's office calls and tells me he's done. Dang it, I coulda waited and we could ate somewhere good. Oh well.
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Anyhoo....it's Biggio mini-helmet giveaway night at the game to the first 10,000 fans. We get in a looooong line. We are about 10 people back from getting in when they ran out of helmets. On way home, Tom tells me it's all my fault we didn't get the helmet because I drove around the loop 20 times that morning looking for the Fed Ex office. geez...
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Saturday I'm talking with Jon on the phone. He asks me what time the celebration is. Meaning what time is Gary's funeral. I tell him the funeral is at 2. Celebration? What the heck? Never heard it like that before. It's a funeral.
So....the funeral begins with a guy playing a guitar and two girls singing with him. We all stand. They play three praise and worship songs. Just like Gary would like. Then the first of four people to talk about Gary starts talking about Gary's life. And telling stories.
Then it hits me. This is a celebration. Dang it Jon, you were right. Cool.
Lots of stories about Gary. All good. At one point I was wondering if this guy ever did anything wrong. Hmmmm....I really don't remember. Cool.
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Today, I get up early. Don't go to lake with Donna and girls and some of our friends. Ya know, I just ain't a fan of the lake. Kinda wanna be on my own today.
I ran an hour, rode 10.5 miles on bike, swam a little. Left to get a paper and then went to cemetery.
Talked to mom.
Told her about Gary. Uh, like she didn't know.
I sang. Horribly. Sang part of Amazing Grace to her. Told her I'm sorry that my singing sucks.
Told her I miss her. Told her dad is having fun. She should be happy.
Told her to tell Gary....right then I choked up...couldn't talk. Finally, told her to tell Gary we'd do lunch one day.