My 11-year old son told me that I should post some content about our “back story”. I wrote this chapter several days after Gordie died so that I would never forget our last night as a family.
The night before Gordie died was such a typical night for our family. I came home to find Gordie, Nathan, and Wyatt in the backyard. Wyatt was practicing swinging his teeny tiny golf club. A few months after we moved into the Estate in 2011 Gordie had set up his own driving range. He purchased the real mat you see at some driving ranges with the hole on each side for the plastic tube tee thing. He even had the little tray that you see at many driving ranges to hold the balls. Gordie had spent hours teaching Wyatt to put a golf ball on the plastic tube tee, line up his club, and swing. Wyatt had a hell of a swing for a 1 year old. Gordie was so proud of it; he loved having Wyatt show people his drive when they came over to visit. The driving range was just not for Wyatt, Gordie spent hours out there hitting balls (with a smaller club, not a driver) trying to clear the fireplace that was across the lawn area.
“Hi Guys!” I said as I came out the back door.
“Mommy!” Wyatt yelled as he started running toward me.
Nathan and Gordie were playing catch on the lawn. Nathan’s first day of baseball practice was in two days and this year Gordie was one of the Assistant Coaches. Gordie wanted to get Nathan warmed up before Saturday’s practice.
“Hi Mommy” Nathan called and then turned to throw a ball into Gordie’s glove.
“Hey” Gordie called.
I walked over to Gordie with Wyatt in my arms.
“I had kind of a tough day. Do you mind if I do a quick three miles around the loop?” I asked.
The loop I was referring to was the 1/3 mile circle that went around the house and some of the grounds. The same loop that Gordie used for his run the next day right before he died.
“Sure” Gordie said. “Remember, I am going out with Chris, Rick, and Rob. I don’t need to leave until 7pm, but I need to shower before”, he continued.
“OK, I’ll be quick so you have enough time to shower and get ready”. I said.
“Take your time, I want to practice more with Nathan” Gordie said.
I brought Wyatt back to his driving range mat and he got back to work on his golf swing.
The loop goes around the lawn where Wyatt was golfing, Gordie and Nathan were playing catch, and Ralphie, our dog, was exploring. I ran around them ten times thinking it was a great night, I had a great family, and Gordie was a great Dad. I remember during one particular lap slowing down as I ran past them just enjoying looking at my family. It’s a snapshot that is now forever frozen in my mind.
I finished my 3 miles and walked over to the lawn. Wyatt had moved on to playing in the rocks but Gordie and Nathan were still playing catch.
“I’m done. I can take the kids now so that you can get ready” I told Gordie.
“Nathan, do you want to play some more?” Gordie asked.
“Yes Daddy” Nathan said.
“OK. I am going to play more with Nathan. Can you take Wyatt inside so that I don’t have to watch him?” he asked.
“Sure, but don’t you have to get ready and leave at 7”?
“It’s OK. It will only take me five minutes to shower and dress. I really want to practice with Nathan as long as he wants to go”, he said.
Such a typical response. Gordie always put his kids before himself. Always.
I went inside with Wyatt and started to get dinner ready for the boys and me. At 6:55 I walked outside and called to Gordie
“Gordie, it’s 6:55. Don’t you have to leave at 7?” I asked.
“We’ll come inside in 10 minutes” Gordie called. Nathan beamed. He was having a great time with his Dad.
Ten minutes later Gordie and Nathan came in. Gordie ran upstairs to get ready. About six minutes later he ran back down, gave Wyatt a kiss on his head, and gave Nathan a high five. “Night guys, I’ll see you in the morning” he said to the kids.
“I won’t be home too late” he said to me.
“Have fun. Tell them all I said hi”, I replied
Gordie came home later that night in a really good mood. He had a good time with his friends. Shortly after he got home we went up to bed. Gordie went into the boys’ room to check them before going to bed. I went into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
Gordie was laying in bed reading when I crawled in. Ralphie was snuggled right up to Gordie who was petting Ralphie as he read his book. I made eye contact with Gordie and rolled my eyes.
“You and that dog…” I said.
He smiled and gave Ralphie a kiss on his head.
We both read our books for a while and then turned out the lights. The big house was silent.
It seemed like such a typical night for our Family. Only it wasn’t. It was the last night for the family that I thought I would have the rest of my life.