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On a lighter note……one year in

Beachfan
Beachfan Member Posts: 803
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Last Sunday marked one year without DH. On Saturday, I felt the need to carry out a threat that I had made many times over many years. DH coached HS baseball for 43 years on the field that is now named in his honor. He was successful, well respected, and well loved, but he was unable (or unwilling) to stay in the 3rd base “coaching box” (a small, marked, grassy area beside third base) when his team was batting. Instead, he would wander all along the 3rd baseline, calling encouragement and giving signs to each batter. (Not prohibited, but the coach must stay within the “box”). The opposing fans, seated behind him in the bleachers, constantly called for him to “stay in the box” or get thrown out of the game. It got ridiculous; the home fans loved it, the opposing fans screamed, the umps ignored it all and DH was never thrown out of any game. I told him, many times, that if I outlived him, I would make sure he was in that 3rd base box and he wouldn’t get out, ever.
After our grandson’s game on Saturday, my oldest son, who helps coach, carved out a small, neat niche by 3rd base and there rests “Coach” never more to terrorize the opposing fans.
I apologize if our family activity is offensive to anyone or macabre; but we all have great memories made on that field and wanted a part of DH to rest in peace there in the spot where he had so much fun. That’s how we roll. I miss him every day, especially now when the grandkids play; somehow the games are not as exciting. May you all find peace after Alzheimer’s in any way you can.

Comments

  • Kibbee
    Kibbee Member Posts: 229
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    That is thoughtful and fitting, now your DH can forever be present in a place that brought him joy.

  • ThisLife
    ThisLife Member Posts: 267
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    Oh, Beachfan! I absolutely love this. Building new precious memories.

  • ButterflyWings
    ButterflyWings Member Posts: 1,755
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    LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

  • M1
    M1 Member Posts: 6,788
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    bravo! I love it too!!!!

  • fmb
    fmb Member Posts: 430
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    What a fitting resting place! I think that is wonderful.

  • midge333
    midge333 Member Posts: 332
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    Outstanding! What a great idea and implementation!

  • PookieBlue
    PookieBlue Member Posts: 202
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    Beachfan, That is a great picture of your husband! What fond memories you must have. Thanks for sharing.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 4,521
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    I love this.

  • jsps139_
    jsps139_ Member Posts: 202
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    How fun - I’m sure he’s looking down laughing at the jester and happy to be in the box!
    Thanks for sharing!!

  • ImMaggieMae
    ImMaggieMae Member Posts: 1,034
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    LOVE this! What a great honor and lasting memory!

  • JeriLynn66
    JeriLynn66 Member Posts: 849
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    Absolutely beautiful and loving tribute. And oh, the memories for your kids and grands. ❤️

  • concerned_sister
    concerned_sister Member Posts: 425
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    Baseball is a big part of our family's life as well. I love it.

  • psg712
    psg712 Member Posts: 394
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    That is beautiful. Also gives much hope that the good memories can bring comfort after the ravages of dementia are over. Thank you.

  • Brokenhearted in Illinois
    Brokenhearted in Illinois Member Posts: 70
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    Beautiful memories

  • SSHarkey
    SSHarkey Member Posts: 298
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    Oh, I love this! What a perfect way to honor his legacy and his love of the game and the kids!

  • Jgirl57
    Jgirl57 Member Posts: 494
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    That was wonderful to read! Thank you for sharing!!!!

  • wose
    wose Member Posts: 137
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    This is wonderful 💜 Our first date was a baseball game. Baseball has been a part of my life since the day I was born. So very grateful for happy memories shared.

  • GothicGremlin
    GothicGremlin Member Posts: 867
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    I love this! I think it honors him, and from what I know of him, I think it would give him a smile.

  • Nowhere
    Nowhere Member Posts: 295
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    edited April 27

    You’ve endured a year! What a beautiful tribute to mark the occasion and ground and honor your husband’s legacy. You found a meaningful way to keep the memory of him alive and in good “form”. And I can just feel his spirit leaving that box whispering encouragement into the ears of players and coaches who follow. ⚾️

  • mrahope
    mrahope Member Posts: 538
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    Oh, @Beachfan . You have been so courageous and loving, and I'm glad your family was able to honor your DH and his great coaching legacy in a way that would have pleased him. FWIW, we did something kinda "out there", too. When my mother passed, she simply told us to have her funeral/burial in any way that provided us comfort. So we bought biodegradable turtle-shaped urns and placed her ashes , and those of her favorite cat inside. We set them free on a river on my sister's property and had a dinner afterwards, remembering the many happy times we'd all enjoyed there. Remembering a life well lived doesn't have to be sober. It can be a time for enjoying shared memories.

  • White Crane
    White Crane Member Posts: 890
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    Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing it.

  • RickM
    RickM Member Posts: 115
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    DearBeach fan, I loved your story. Thank you for sharing. Peace.

  • eaglemom
    eaglemom Member Posts: 559
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    This is an absolutely beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it.

    eagle

  • mommafour
    mommafour Member Posts: 85
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    Beachfan, how wonderful. I hope the tribute and memories of your DH bring you and your family much peace and comfort.

  • remarquis
    remarquis Member Posts: 6
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    as my sister has fallen deeper into the Alzheimer’s rabbit hole, my nephew and I track the funny things she has said or done. Not to make fun of her, but to give us memories we will look back on fondly.
    that said, it’s like what you have done as well, and I’m here for it! It’s a fabulous tribute and provides fond memories.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more