And on the eve of year 6...Happy Fathers day Cappy

Six  Years tomorrow...and today, on the eve of the day you left us,  I am reminded so wonderfully who you were, by these images of your children. You would be so proud Ted. T-Moe took this semester off to re-evaluate and re-energize. He left school and a lacrosse team of guys he really loved, to make choices that best suited  him. I watched thru his college career, as he shared time in goal at Goucher, and always felt you there.  I watched  him as the starting goalie at Merrimack and playing in a National title game, and you were there.  I also watched as he sat on the bench, but instead of being mad and bitter,  I watched him rise up and lift up the team and be a really, really good teammate. This I know was guided by you. And now that decisions have been made,  I look forward to his next year (as he "comes out of retirement", as he says) at a new school,  back on the field, doing what he loves. All the choices he has made, not easy, but I am so proud of the man we raised.

I watched as T-Moe coached youth and HS teams thru the winter, reffed 10 games at the 7th Annual Ted Hellier Laxfest, and then as he took on his first HS coaching gig, enjoying the moments just like you.  Just look at that stance... no denying who he takes after, minus the keg! (For those of you who don't know...Ted affectionately referred to his growing mid section as a keg instead of a 6pack)  

And your girl... her compassion and drive... You! Her life choices, its like you are right  here guiding her. She reminds me of you so much. When she's frustrated with the dogs... she Ted pets them... its crazy! Her talent in the kitchen...you. Her early rise to start the day...you... I know she misses her morning buddy so much. Unlike you however ...she hates to get her pic taken... that she gets from me!

So as Zaz and I watched T-Moe in action as NYA's assistant coach, yesterday in the State Championship game, we got a glimpse of you. 

He is passionate about the game...like you,

 he cares about his players...like you

 He enjoys the moment...like you

He is a hugger...like you

he is happy for others successes...like you

he is a team player... like you. You taught him that lesson very well.

All these reminders yesterday, that the best things we ever did... are STILL  the best things we ever did. And I am so grateful to you for them. I am so happy I get to see YOU in them each day. Some days, like yesterday, it just screams you more than others. I am ever so grateful and joy filled for  days like these. You my dear are forever in our hearts, and missed more than I thought possible. Happy Fathers Day Cappy!

7th Annual

It is hard to believe Seven years ago, was the first Ted Hellier Laxfest... as many of you already know, Ted was quite ill at the time, but he was so  determined to make an appearance at the festival. He was able to attend, that very first Laxfest... and his energy and spirit has been felt at every one since. He may no longer be with us physically,  but boy oh boy do we feel him at this festival every year. Today the 7th annual Ted Hellier LaxFest, was no different. It has come to be one of my favorite days of the year, for so many reasons.

I love the energy of the day.. Friday night before the Fest... volunteers meet to set up the field, hang banners, place signs, and meet food trucks. All the months of planning are realized and everyone is so on it!  At 6am on Saturday... all the tired Varsity and JV lacrosse players groggily head to the complex to help set up the fields. These boys comically work together to get the huge tent set up ... each year it is something to watch... seeing who takes the lead, how many opinions it takes, technique styles.  How many lacrosse players does it take to raise a tent? It is  like watching the 3 stooges, but more like 18 stooges! This year with Heather at the helm... the quickest tent raising ever!!! Once the tent is set,  all the Varsity players get ready to either  Ref lots of games, man the Speedball,  or do whatever the volunteer coordinator asks of them, while the JV ready themselves for 3 good games of lacrosse.  The  parents of these players and past players also show up at 6am... coffee fueled to get the show on the road, and by 7am when teams start arriving, everything is in place and running smoothly. Everyone just happy to be here and ready to spend a day outside and around LOTS of Lacrosse games.

 THE LOVE OF LACROSSE... Its different than any other sport I have been involved with...Ted always encouraged his youth players to play both Lacrosse and Baseball... heck, Ted was a huge baseball fan, but he knew as the boys got older, there would come a time when there would  not enough room on a baseball team for all the athletic talent. He was sure the lure of the fastest game on two feet,  would woo many of them to the game... he was not wrong. He would always say... "there is room on a lacrosse team for every kid".
 Ted, was a believer in his players, all of his players, he had a way of communicating with them... not yelling, not ignoring, not belittling, no passive aggression... just respect, he was a believer that you had to give respect to get it.

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For the Love of my husband... a lacrosse fest of this size is a huge deal to organize and run. It takes many, many planning hours, so many volunteers, a ton of sponsors, lots of teams from all over New England (showing up to get their game on),  logistical snafus that need to be dealt with at the last minute, weather issues beyond our control and just stuff... it happens when coordinating an event with over 1000 atteendees. But for the LOVE of TED... all the pieces fall into place, folks understand that things happen, Volunteers rise to the occasion and spend more time than scheduled, do tasks they have never done before, all with a smile on their faces and  all for the Love of Lacrosse and the love of Ted.

This year for me marks the last of "Teds boys" The age group below was his favorite to coach... he got to see raw talent... help them channel energy and develop a passion... all the good sweet parts of coaching... for the purity and love of a sport. Many of the boys in the photo below have recently graduated or will be graduating this year.  A shout out to all of them... for making Coach Teds time with you all,  such a joy... it was his honor to watch you all grow, and become great young adults. His time on the field with you all was treasured by him and I thank you all.

I personally look forward to watching you all, in Your HS careers, college years and beyond...

and until next years Laxfest... "Play well young fellas"!