Birthday Blues

Well it's been about a week since I posted anything so I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed.

Last Tuesday was my birthday. It was not all that great. Another one of those firsts that come around that really stinks. Chris and I never made a big deal out events like birthdays but would always make sure the kids got out and did something. Her parents came over on my birthday and took the boys and I out to dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. We had a good time and dinner was very good.

Before that however I went to pay my respects to Father Wayne. It was and continues to be a huge loss for me and the entire community. I spoke with several people at the church and all told me that he continued to keep our family in his prayers and he asked about us frequently.

I've been busy with our local lacrosse program. www.spireslacrosse.org if you want to check out what I'm doing there. We have a big parent meeting tonight that I have to present at. Practice starts on Saturday for this club. Michael plays in that and on another team as well. He's been practicing on Sunday afternoons for that already. Tyler's high school team begins Saturday and he's been staying after for the preseason practices already.

Alex came home last Saturday and brought her friend / teammate. I took them to the airport on Saturday. Their team is in Clearwater Beach for spring break. They'll be back on Saturday and then off to school on Sunday.

I finally went to the Dr. yesterday. Been having a huge problem with my upper back. Stress related so she says. On muscle relaxers and ibuprofen. Hopefully that will help. I'm going to be going back for a physical and all that soon as well. I have to take care of myself so I've been told.

Ty and I have been busy working in the basement. We are remodelling the whole thing and have a little construction going on. It's a work in progress.

God has taken a wonderful man to be with Chris.

This morning I found out that Father Wayne passed away yesterday. Father Wayne had been battling cancer for awhile now and was the priest that was so helpful to me and my family when Chris passed away. He was the one who performed the wonderful mass that we will all remember forever.

Just 3 weeks ago I saw him on the way out of the church after 11am mass. (See my Sunday, Jan. 20'th post)

He smiled and told me that he was praying for my family. He then gave me a very big and sincere embrace. One that I will remember for the rest of my lift. I've lost a new friend. But I know that he and Chris are now together and looking after us now.

Father Wayne Funk

Father Wayne G. Funk, 70, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born Jan. 6, 1938 in Baltimore, he was a son of Clara I. Lambert Funk, of Catonsville and the late Alfred H. Funk. Father Funk was ordained Dec. 19, 1962 at the Church of Christ the King, Rome, Italy and was first assigned to Saint Agnes Parish in Catonsville. He was later appointed to the faculty of the Pontifical North American Collegein Rome, where he served until returning to Baltimore as Associate Pastor of St. Matthew's Parish. He faithfully served the Parish until his appointment as director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He later returned to Saint Matthew's Parish, where he served as pastor until he assumed the same position with St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick where he has served for many years.

He is survived by two brothers, Alfred H. Funk Jr. and wife, Seldra and John W. Funk and his faithful friend, Gloria Scherer, all of Baltimore; a nephew, Donald W. Funk and wife, Ann; greatnephew, Paul E. Funk and wife, Jennifer; and great-greatnephew, Samuel C. Funk.

His body will be prayerfully received at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18, at St. John the Evangelist RomanCatholic Church, 118 E. Second St., Frederick, where friends may call until 9 p.m. and where a Wake Service will be offered at 7 p.m. by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Vicar of Western Maryland for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Friends and parishioners are also welcome to vist during a vigil from 1 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, February 19. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 from the church, with the Most Rev. Archbishop William D. Borders, as principal celebrant, with commendation by His Excellency Edwin F.O'Brien, Archbishop of the Baltimore Diocese.

Interment will be in SaintJohn's Cemetery, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are to be sent to St Matthews Parish, 5401 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239; to Cardinal Shenan School, 5407 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239; Saint John's Regional Catholic School, 8414 OpossumtownPike, Frederick, MD 21702; or to Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 112 E. Second St., Frederick, MD 21701.

Arrangements are by Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick, and online condolences may be shared wih his family at www.keeneybasford.com.

Happy Valentine's Day?

Yesterday was another one of those "first" days. You know, first _____ w/o Chris... Valentine's Day was always a bit special to us. I asked Chris to marry me on 2/14/85. Probably did it on that day so I'd never forget it. I had only known her since August 84 and we were married in October 85. Love at 1st sight? I guess so.

I went by the cemetery yesterday. I am finding it a bit easier to go there now. I find a bit peace when I'm there. I'm finalizing some things for her headstone and hopefully can get that ordered next week. That's my goal anyways.

My neighbor Sharon stopped by and gave me a box of truffles from Randy's place. He just opened it at the end of the year and yesterday was a big day. I bought the boys some candy and they received a few cards in the mail too. We sent a box to Alex with some goodies in it too. She sent us a card. It was addressed to the "DeWitt Men"...

The boys went to ski club last night and I spent the day at home working. Been pretty busy with that. I went to the high school hockey game last night and eventually went out to dinner with Ray and Cheryl (neighbors across the street) as their son was playing in the game. It was nice to be out on this day.

Alex comes home next Friday for spring break. She'll only be home until Saturday though as she is going to Tampa with her lacrosse team.

Blue Man Group

Last weekend the boys and I went to a concert at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Virginia. We saw the Blue Man Group. A Vegas icon for sure. I've always wanted to see them myself and this was an excellent chance.

We had great seats and the show was really entertaining. I took the picture you see with my phone and the youtube videos are some samples of what they do. Highly recommended especially for families.

I know a lot of you have been wondering "how we're doing"... The answer to that all depends on how you look at it I guess. Alex seems to be doing pretty well. College life is pretty good to her. Lacrosse is now in full swing and her practices keep her pretty busy. She comes home next Friday for 1 night and then flies to Florida for spring break with her team. They return the following Saturday and back to school on Sunday. Her 1st game is the following weekend. I am going to try so very hard to see as many as I can. Chris was so proud of Alex and proud to be her lacrosse mom. I too always had a rush when I saw her step out onto the collegiate field. I will do my best to continue that this year as well.

Last Friday Tyler skipped school and went to the PA Outdoorsman Show with his Uncle Ken and his grandfather. They were gone all day and he was exhausted. He really enjoyed it and had a good time getting out of the house. Lacrosse practice has started for him as well. It's been cold but he's working hard and looking forward to the season. He is doing well in school both socially and academically.

Michael is having a tough time in school. His grades have suffered considerably but we are working very hard to try and keep him focused and on track. It is so much work for me trying to keep on top of all that has to be done, not only with him but the entire household as well.

So that leaves me... I've been very busy with work recently. That's been good but very tiring. I had to go to Philadelphia for the day last week and I really was upset a little about leaving. I got home at 7:30 and the boys actually weren't home. Our friend Billie came and got them and took them to her house on the other side of town. They had a great time and it made me feel a lot better.

I find myself waking up in the middle of the night sometimes and not falling back to sleep. Even the dog looks at me like I'm crazy. I usually lay there and eventually just get up. I've been to a couple of grief counselor meetings. It's sort of good to be able to talk to someone about what's really going on inside, but I find it hard to get motivated to go.

The last few years I played in a pool league with my brothers-in-law Ken, and Joey and my father in law too. I quit going back in September and dropped in once or twice in the last 5 months. Well Ken called me and talked me in to coming back full time (or "more" time). I asked the boys and they didn't mind. It is really good to get out of the house and actually have some time for myself. I really miss the adult conversation that I always had when Chris was here. We all take things for granted and that was certainly one of things that I miss the most.

Tonight we went to the high school hockey game to watch our neighbor play . They won and play again Thursday. Afterwards, the boys and I went to Chris's favorite restaurant, La Paz, in downtown Frederick. We had a nice dinner and when we got our drinks we had a toast to our "Mom".

I really miss her.

Lycoming goes Pink

http://www.lycoming.edu/athletics/07WBasketball/ThinkPink.htm

Lycoming College's Women's basketball team is also doing a special breast cancer fundraiser this Saturday. It's really nice to see how the college has stepped up and allowed teams to do this type of event!

Lycoming goes Pink

http://www.lycoming.edu/athletics/07WBasketball/ThinkPink.htm