Rest In Peace Ralphy

it has been a very draining week for me with the big conference coming less than a month away for urban youth workers institute. i am crunching all the details for that event and other uywi coalitions going that need not to be forgotten about. in the midst of this chaos of work, life through a wrench my way. i would have to admit even though i have not been bloggin life had been great. i really have had very little to complain about. but about two weeks ago on a monday morning, my friend johnny texted me at 5 am in the morning! johnny is not someone who text me often... he just barely figured the whole thing out and usually just busts a phone call. so needless to say... he had my attention and than i read the text and it said a very shocking statement. "uncle ralphy was murdered last night". i was shocked stunned and felt a deep pain. i am sure that most of you who read this blog dont know uncle ralphy, but for those of us who knew and loved him. he was special. he was a centerpiece into the family that i had allowed me to be apart of for so many years. he treated me as a young punk high schooler as family when i was in his home. he made me laugh many times even when he made me the center of the joke.

it was a few days after the murder that johnny called and told me that the family wanted me to do the funeral. they wanted someone who knew and loved ralphy to do the funeral. i was scared (never did a funeral) and emotional as i was not sure if i could do it, but i knew that i had to do it. steve from gateway hooked me up with some notes that would help me create a very personalized service for ralphy. thank you steve once again you are there for me.

the service was held last monday and i was so nervous, but was so honored to be asked by the family. the day for me started around 6 am and ended at about 9 pm. the service went smooth, the mass following it was ok and the graveside time was the most emotional. i was truly thankful for the opportunity and for the kind words that ralphy's family had for what i shared in the morning. i will miss you ralphy, i know your neices, nephews, brother, your mother and your seven kids will miss you. i just hope we all can take the humor and joy u brought to us and spread it to those in the lives that god allows us to influence. i am thankful to call you a freind. rest in peace and see you on the other side.

Kades 7th BDay Photo Album!

Thanks for everyone who came out and celebrated with us.... Good Times!

Kades 7 Bday

Meet Tiny Phillies!

Tiny Phillies 2008

The Tiny Phillies in 2008

kade and i are in a time of transition... we finish off our all star soccer season this saturday with the playoffs. he is the only 6 year old playing with 7 and 8 year olds and is holding his own. he has even survived playing some goalie! But it is know time to focus on baseball and the days of the tee and everyone playing are long gone. kade stood in the batter box at practice yesterday and face another kid for the first time. he looked terrified, but stayed in the box. the first pitch took off over his head ... he turned and looked at me like he was about to die, but stayed in there. andy had some trouble getting it over the plate, so i stepped in and kade hit a soft grounder... i think he was still a little scared.... maybe scared a lot. lol.

in the car on the way home, kade was like "dad, andy almo0st hit me ." i said i know, but he does not want to hit you. cause than u go to first base... he commented back... "it will hurt" my assurance that he would go to first base was met with ... "when does soccer season start again". i think kade is in some transition also... he is the youngest on this team too, but he always rises to the occasion and i think he will be alright. hopefully, i will survive too... i woke up last night at 2 am and could not sleep cause i was thinking about this team and how to get them ready for games in a few weeks. i have not been stressed like this in quite awhile. pray for me. :)

OBAMA Sweeps 3 Primaries

i cannot believe the momentum the obama has going his way right now. i cannot believe that we actually may have an african american male running for president and many people are saying that he would be favored to beat mccain. i can't believe this is all happening. this time last year, i would have said no way... the country would never vote an african american into office. i think things have changed.... oh have they changed. i was listening to his victory speech tonight in madison, wisconsin. i have never heard a person running for president speak like him. he spoke of hope, change, and dreams that can become reality. he acknowledge that it is an uphill road, but that we can make it. i told kade.... you see that guy on tv. his name is barak obama. he could change everything.

Jim Carey Top Picks

as i was watching the GIANTS end the quest toward perfection on Superbowl Sunday... it was great. my friend kurits' uncle had a flash back to me in high school when i would do my jim carey impersonations. fire marshall bill was my favorite.... "let me tell you something". today at uywi, we got into a discussion in regards to the best jim carey films of all time. i have seen i think all of them even an early film called rubberface, which i encourage everyone to stay away from. here are my top 5 in descending order:

#5 Man on the Moon (His ability in this film to take over a character was amazing.)

#4 Ace Ventura 2: When Nature Calls (i liked this one better than the first and when he comes out of the rhino butt naked... i loose it every time.)

#3 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (wow. this was a trip.)

#2 Liar Liar (this was really close to being first. the bathroom scene when he beats the crap out of himself is unforgettable. the father son piece to the movie also could have pushed it to #1 as well)

#1 Dumb and Dumber (i think i sharted the first time i saw this in the theater, i know i was crying in the aisle. this was a classic of all time.)

What do you think?

OBAMA08