It's Over?

The first Jeff Milano-Johnson JV Lacrosse Tournament was yesterday. Someone asked me -- was it a success? I didn't know how to answer.

16 teams were there - 10 boys and 6 girls - it didn't rain (I was never worried) -- we have a raffle -- we had a silent auction -- we (actually it was the Pittsford Football Booster Club) sold food from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The event could not have happened with Dan Troup. Dan helped us set up the fund, the scholarship award, the tourney -- he managed the tourney. God has a special place in heaven for Dan, this I know.

so was it a success?

the kids seem to have a lot of fun -- but for the exception of one coach who temporarily lost his mind during one of the games, the adults seem to enjoy themselves also. For me, there were three incredibly high points of the day. The first occurred when we broke up after congregating on the hill for lunch and a few comments. I turned my back to other people and got teary eyed. As I was walking down the hill a young man came up to me -- his face painted black just the way Jeff's was when I saw him in the Emergency Room the night he died -- he looked straight into my eyes and said "I am sorry for your loss." "I am sorry for your loss." 6 words. the only words I can recall yesterday that we said to me about Jeff or Jeff's death. And I felt like time stood still that moment and someone gave me the oh so infrequently felt "wink from heaven."
The second came when TP, who played with Doug and Jeff on varsity last year, and who volunteered to keep score, came up to me and a bunch of other adults hanging around the info table and said "Well, I will definitely be back next year doing this same thing!" -- This, said from a 17 year old senior. And the last was looking over at Doug who was standing with his friends talking and seeing that he was ok at that moment in time and feeling incredibly proud of him as he stood there chatting, wearing his Nazareth lacrosse jacket.

It was a success. Not possible without the love and support of so very many many people.
It was a success.