Al

Good Morning!! It was a beautiful day at the ball park, southwest little league.... the memories that I have at these fields will be with me always. If you know anything about little league, ya know wall ball is a game that ALL kids grow up playing, they finish their game and go straight to the wall. The first time I met him, he was standing by the concession stand and proceeds to be hit by the ball that these little leaguers were hurling with all their might... after the 3rd time he hollers at the kids. I turn around and see a big man with his hat on and a big loud voice, I ask Shelby "Who is the guy standing in the wall ball area hollering?", his reply "AL". I have said his name a million times since that day and have loved him for a long time. He and his precious wife Jean would come into the grill and we would spend time talking and laughing. He loved baseball with all his heart but his family meant everything to him. My family had the great honor to spend Easter with them a few years ago and to experience the love this family shares was very special. When we received word last night, that our friend's battle and pain were over, it was like the breath was sucked right out of me. No grief for our friend...he is celebrating with the angels and our heavenly father, but great grief for those that love him. This family, that he cherished, is waking up this morning in a world that has been changed forever and my heart grieves for them.. and Shelby? his sorrow great over losing his friend, that he talked with, laughed with and watched a lot of baseball with. What an amazing legacy Al has left behind, I am so honored that he was my friend. Happy Tuesday yall. I pray for his family, "Perfect peace" today and in the months to come. The memories that they have, we have and a whole little league community has will always be replayed in our hearts. His love and his robust laughter will live on. I am thankful his pain his gone but selfishly I will miss him always. His words when a home run was hit..."HELLO BASEBALL" will always be remembered!!