"Excuse Me, Just A Little More Pepper, Please"

Hey Pep, 

It's Hall. Happy Birthday, and all of the irony that implies. Well, it's been a couple of weeks since your memorial service and except for the fact that you were the reason we gathered, it was quite nice. It was cold but sunny at the New Life Church in Newtown and when I pulled into the parking lot a little after 9:00 am, parking spaces were hard to find. I know you don't want to hear things like this, but you need to know there were a lot of people who loved and cared about you and who just wanted to talk with, laugh with, and mourn with each other...in your honor. The old and new friends that paid their respects in that first hour for the family and the "viewing" made my heart soar. People talked and laughed and cried in the parking lot and in the sanctuary...and yes, Coach led the way! All of us; stories, stories, stories. In the end, they just wanted to say goodbye as well as pay their respects to Cheri (who was a wonderful rock that whole week, Pep) and the boys, and Tracy. And speaking of the boys (what am I saying, they are all great young men now), they had Dalton on-line from Italy! That was terrific. I know it was so important for him to be a part of everything even though he couldn't be there. You would have been so very proud of all of them. 

The pastor (who Cheri and the kids spoke so highly of) was terrific. They had met a couple of times that week before the service and he tapped into a wonderful take on you and Cheri, your history in the area and what you meant to everyone there as well as so many others who were not able to attend the formal service. The nicest thing was that he had someone pass a microphone around to anyone who wanted to say a few words. It was funny, touching and you would have hated every minute of it!! One person after another just spoke from the heart, with so much love and tenderness. And let me tell you, Pep - the wonderful and wise Elks could have spoken for us all. His homage to you, your Mom and Dad, and Trace was beautiful. His words and the words of everyone who spoke, will not be forgotten.

As for me, I sat there in wonderful awe at the mark you left on so many. And then, unfortunately, I had to get up, walk to the front and follow all of that!! And that's why I'm typing now. There were so many things I didn't say and a number of things I forgot to say. I'm going to blame the number of Steelers and Eagles jerseys in the congregation. You know I'm the son, grandson, and nephew of preachers. I've been in a lot of churches over the decades. Never in my life have I seen a sea of jerseys like that staring back at me whenever I've been in front of a congregation! It was a tad intimidating. Truth be told, I think I was just so sad, that for the first time in my life, I was speechless. So I'll tell you what I didn't tell them.

I didn't emphasize enough how grateful I was that you "drafted" me (you knew I had to get a sports metaphor in there!) into your circle way back in '74. And then all the words of basketball encouragement as I tried to find my way on the court as you had already found yours. They should have been told what your visit to Boston meant to me right after college. I still can't believe you did that. The weekly phone calls while I lived up there that kept me in touch with home, and the long wonderful conversations, pick-up games, and toasts after I moved back. I'll never forget those nights on the front patio in Willowood. We talked sports, music, even religion. It was the best of times. Thank you.

Most importantly, I didn't mention your second Act in life. Pep, most people don't get one great Act...you had two. You had this first Act which lifted people out of their seats to cheer and scream and yell, sometimes after they had a really hard day. I was thrilled and honored to be a part of that first Act. But your second Act...that was even better. To evolve into the husband and father that you became was great to see. Watching you watch your boys play was a little frightening! I mean, you didn't say a word; not to the coaches, not to your boys, and not even to the refs! I can't believe I'm saying this, but you were the template for the sports parent that everyone should be!

I didn't mention what you meant to my folks. Mom and Duane loved you, Pep. But you already know that. It broke Duane's heart that he couldn't be at the service because of his COVID nervousness, but he was there in spirit. And my Mom...good lord, my Mom. It was like she lost a son. You know she adopted you. And when you talked to her when you first found out about the cancer, she was so devastated, and yet so grateful that you wanted to talk to her and ask her advice. 

Here's the thing, Pep. You made a difference. You made a difference in more ways than you can imagine. You mattered. And that's rare in this world. You were larger than life and you loved life. And for better or worse you lived life as if each day was your last. You were a testament to the Blessing as I interpret it. More life, into a time without boundaries. And speaking of that thought, I want you to know how much Blas misses you. Sadly, it was your passing that got us in touch with each other again. I want you to know he was a great comfort to me in the days leading up to your service. And even though we are both a little angry that you're gone, we've got a lot of memories. 

I don't want to start rambling, Pep. I think I'm going to finish up and put on the album I just downloaded... thanks to you. That's right, Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison Blues. I'm never going to be able to shake you. A wise man once said, "Your friends are your needs answered." Well, Pep...you were all of that for me, and much more.

Oh, there's one more thing I didn't say that morning. I love you, Pep. I'm going to miss you. Rest in peace, my dear friend. 


The palm at the end of the mind,
Beyond the last thought, rises
In the bronze decor,

A gold-feathered bird
Sings in the palm, without human meaning,
Without human feeling, a foreign song.

You know then that it is not the reason 
That makes us happy or unhappy.
The bird sings. Its feathers shine.

The palm stands on the edge of space.
The wind moves slowly in the branches.
The bird's fire-fangled feathers dangle down.




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