Another Generation of Red Wings Fans!

Wanna see the photos from this entry? Look here

Finally, the time had arrived! For most of the past 3 weeks, my younger two children were drooling at the sight of the four tickets, which were tucked neatly into the cupboard door, sitting there like a chocolate Easter Bunny tempting the little ones daily. The 'Family Four Pack' kept them watching the calendar. The tickets, a gift from one of our local Hams' sons (Tim Wilson) were welcomed with open arms...that is a story all its own! How do you say 'Thank You' for a gift like that? I don't think he really understood just how thankful my entire Family of Red Wing fans were, but I hope to return the kindness somehow.

"How many days now?", Josh asked.

"Oh, let's see.....seven....seven more days and we go to the Joe Louis Arena!" I replied.

Josh has been 'indoctrinated' into Red Wing traditions since his early years, so when it comes to the Wings, he's into whatever it might be. Even at 15-18 months of age, we taught him the 'Let's go Red Wings' chant, complete with claps. By age two, Joshy was clappin' right along with us. But it goes beyond even that!

When our little man was born into this world, Dad was wearing a Red Wings sweater (jersey). It was 2002 and I had a Center Ice version of the Home Jersey. Nothing special and no number, or name, just the jersey. Well, when we won the Stanley Cup that year, I went out and bought a brand new away jersey, found and purchased an official 2002 Stanley Cup patch and added my nephew's number and name, because he also played in the youth hockey league in town. That sweater is Johy's now, once he can fit into it, but until then, I wear it (and I had it on last night).

And so, we head out Friday afternoon about 4pm, well ahead of time, in case of traffic. I wasn't going to be late for my kids' first Red Wings' game....and we weren't. But it was fun, watching Josh and Mick looking in awe at the Joe Louis Arena in the distance. We walked about 3 blocks to the raised tunnel that would take us into the JLA and got there about 30 minutes before the doors opened.

Once inside, we got the important stuff....the Red Wings #1 sponge finger, a puck, a book on the Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup Season and various other goodies. We also stopped for a Little Caesar's pizza and some Coke, before heading to our seats. Sec. 217C, row 20....a bit near the top, but if you have ever been to the Joe, there really aren't that many bad seats in the house and I have not seen the few that exist!

The magic of your first professional sporting event is something you never forget. Mine was going to see the Detroit Tigers, back when Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych was pitching for them. I will never forget 'The Bird' manicuring the mound, or talking to the ball.....or the animated way he did his job. And as we walked around the Joe, snapping pictures and watching the warm-ups at ice level, I was witnessing Josh marking this date in his life. Mick was enjoying herself, too, but this was a boy-thing. A Father-Son thing....something we will both remember for the rest of our lives.

Well, the Wings were shutout tonight...falling to the New York Islanders 2-0. The Islanders are the worst team in the NHL, but I was afraid this might happen. The neat thing was that we got to see Chris Osgood in goal for Detroit and my wife loves Ozzie! But the Wings tried...boy did they try. There were so many flurries in front of New York's goalie, Joey MacDonald (a former Wing, by the way), we should have won that game 8-2! LOL But it was not to be.

Walking out of the Joe Louis, Josh and I were walkin' hand in hand, chatting about the game. I felt I needed to see how he enjoyed the time.

"So what did you think, bud?", I asked. "Sorry you didn't get to see the Wings win tonight."

"That was fun, Dad.....", he said. "And don't worry, you can bring me back to see them win a different game!"

Yep, my little Winger enjoyed his first NHL Hockey Game....a new chapter begins!

The Frailty of Us Humans

Just over a week ago, I lost a friend. The details are unimportant, because Norm is no longer with us....but his death has caused me a great mix of thoughts and emotions, primarily because we had not spoken in some time. Again, the details are unimportant. But in the course of the last eight days, I have come to understand something about us, as a race.

It is easy to forgive and move on......when it's too late to correct the broken path we've left behind us. But no matter what WE, the living d0, it is already past the time of opportunity to repair a lost friendship, a broken marriage, or a relationship on any level. The deceased have found their rest, but the living must learn to cope with not only the loss, but the fact that they will never again have a chance to mend that fence in their lifetime.

Now, understand that I can differentiate between the loss of a 'real' friend and someone who only pretended to be one...and that happened to me only recently, too! And there is a period of mourning for both. One, because you know that friend is gone and you didn't mend the fence and the other, because you have 'wasted' a period of months....or in my case....YEARS on building what you thought was iron clad! Yet, in both instances, the blame for the breakdown is on the same person's shoulders-your own.

Hey, it's my blogspace to ramble in, so I am going to continue.

I've learned a great deal about loss these last few years. I've lost my Grandfather, a man whom I loved and held in high esteem, in 2005. He was an old man, quiet and unassuming, but who would have thought that he was a real, live hero? And yet he was....assisting in the rescue of many men, from a ship that had run aground in the UP's Sac Bay. Cecil H. Shawl was a good man, a decent man and more 'Christ-like' than a lot of so called 'Christians' I have known. He didn't talk much about his Faith, he just lived his Faith...day by day....year by year.

And then there is another Family member I cannot yet talk about. Nuff said.

Add to this a 'friend' I entrusted for more than 14 years, before finding he was not the person he claimed to be.....and then Norm, a good man who had some really tough cards dealt to him. Yep, life has taught me a lot about losing. And there are lessons in each loss, which I can and will pass on to my children as they grow.

The only lesson I want to talk about today, other than avoiding missed opportunities, is to cherish the aged. Within their still fertile minds lie a wealth of history. Stories untold can pour from their lips at will and if you give them a chance.....they will! I wish I had taken far more opportunities to sit with Bpa and talk to him about the olden days. We talked once, on tape, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. We should have talked far more often than that....and on my last trip to see him, just days before his death, I looked back at my video camera and said, "Ah, next time". 19 days later, next time came, but Bpa was no longer able to tell me stories.

If you have a Grandfather, Grandmother, or Great Grama, or Grampa, sit down with them TODAY and talk to them. Ask them what it was like growing up in their early years....what it was like when they worked....what it was like in everyday America. You'd be surprised how much it has changed.

As for my neighbor and friend, Norm.....all I can say is "Thank You" for being a friend, for offering help in time of need and for teaching me to watch more closely, so I can avoid future mistakes.

2009 SKYWARN Training in Lansing, Michgan

The 2009 Storm Season is upon us and it was time to refresh our memories at our annual SKYWARN Training Day, held at the West Campus of Lansing Community College. This venue has been VERY good to us, allowing us to hold our training here each year and even feeding us lunch!

On hand for this year's event was our NEW Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Jamie R. Bielinski and WLNS TV-6 Meteorologist, Rob Dale (N8GSK). Jamie provided the training we get each year from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and it took the better part of two hours to complete. But anyone in attendance can tell you, it was far from boring! Jamie seemed a natural at her task, mixing in a little personal humor and some stories of her own Storm Chasing.

At the conclusion of Bielinski's program, the good folks at LCC West showed us tremendous hospitality, with lunch for each attendee. The feast consisted of Kettle Cooked chips, shaved Roast Beef, Ham or Turkey for sandwiches, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad and fresh cookies for dessert. Talk about a nice meal!

With full bellies and great anticipation, we welcomed Rob Dale to the podium. Most of the local folks know Rob, but it didn't take long for those who did not know Rob to warm up to him. He's one of those speakers that captivate your attention, because they are real. Rob doesn't put on airs and he doesn't pretend to know something if he doesn't fully understand it. It's one more reason we applauded Rob, as he announced his new position in Eaton County. It's great to know that while he's leaving local TV, he is not leaving us!

Another special guest in attendance for the event was Kaz Fujita, son of the late Ted Fujita (creator of the F-Scale). Kaz and I have been friends since 1998, when we first met at 'Science Day at the Mall', held at Meridian Mall in Okemos.

Our heartfelt thanks to LCC-West, Tom Shaver (KC8NJK), Trent Atkins, Rob, Jamie, Kaz and especially to Ben Holcomb (WX8BEN) for getting things together for us. There were many others (far too many to list here) who deserve recognition and we appreciate all YOU have done, as well. THANKS TEAM! To see more photos of our SKYWARN Training, please visit Our SKYWARN Photo Album