Its been one year since we lost one of the best. Emil Jr.-Zac's dad-passed away one year ago and I can hardly believe it. I think it is important to remember those who have passed on, especially when they are as good as Butchie.
Peggy decided as a family we should do something and with us all scattered about we decided we should all go to the temple at the same time. So on Saturday Zac and I woke up at 5:00 a.m. so we could make it to the 7:00 session (I don't move to fast with the busted leg). We got all ready, I double checked the temple schedule to make sure nothing was going on like a Tongan session or something, and we headed off. We arrive at the temple and the parking lot is empty. I immediately think "sweet! we are the first ones here. That has never happened to me before!" Zac dropped me off and I started to crutch towards the door when I notice all the lights are off and nobody is around. The gardener was near by and she came up to me and told me the temple is closed for maintenance. I looked at her with a "nice try" look and proceeded to tell her I checked the schedule twice and there is nothing scheduled for this date. She looked at me with a "are you mental" look and told me whatever the schedule said, it was closed. So I crutched back to Zac with a "great, the temple is closed" look and immediately whipped out my pocket schedule to prove this gardener wrong. I scan the dates and show Zac that seriously--I am not going crazy. That is when Zac turns the schedule over and shows me that I am looking at the 2008 schedule. Nice one eh? We felt like we needed to do something so both of our first thoughts were "We need to get to a baseball field."
Now it was a rainy and brisk morning....I would even venture to say chilly as we headed out to find a field. I knew in Mesa there is a Chicago Cubs spring training facility so we started to hunt for that. Luckily I saw a sign that said stadium this way and we followed it. So we got to the stadium and began to drive around it. It was sealed up as tight as a jam jar. I would have totally shimmied over the fence but with a busted leg and skirt that wasn't about to happen. Just then we saw a garbage truck enter the stadium and the garbage man had to open the gate. So Zac B-lined it to the garbage man to ask him if we could get in. He rolled down the window as the garbage man was finishing up and asked "Can we go in and look at the field for five minutes or so?" (doesn't hurt to ask right?) I'd like to think this garbage man's name was Juan so that is what I will call him. Juan said "I don't even work here so I don't think I can let you in." Zac comes back at him with "You can go and we will lock the gate when we are done." Juan says "Okay....but I don't know nothin'." I think Juan thought Zac was the mafia because he was in his black suit and black tie with his jet black hair.
Side note-I love sports. I have since I was a wee girl. I have never been a huge fan of baseball....that is until I married into the Drzayich family. I have a huge respect for the game and it has been really fun to get to learn it.--end of Side note. If any of you out there haven't been to a major league baseball field it is quite the site. So we weave our way through the stands and bust out upon one of the most BEAutiful fields. It was so GREEN especially contrasting against the grey sky. We talked for a little bit about dad and some of our memories about him. As we were getting ready to leave I noticed the flag in center field....it was blowing out just like Butchie likes it.
We all miss Emil very much. I see his kindness in Zac's eyes everyday and I feel so blessed to have known him. All you back in Idaho, please keep checking on my Mom D. She is a trooper and it is hard to be away from her when she is going through so much. I love you Mom D.
"The key to successful relationships, and ultimately all things good, is to realize and value the importance of the good pursuits of all people. Doing this builds mutual respect among people and grows the unconditional love of Jesus Christ within us. This love is the cornerstone of the eternal family." --Emil Drzayich
9 comments:
Oh Kristen, this was so great. I thought of you all htis weekend. I hope you all know how much I love you! Thanks for sharing our story. Love you tons.
A few type-os there... i meant this weekend, and your story...not our story. I am an idiot.
My mom and I were talking about Emil last night and how it has been a year. It's still pretty hard to believe that he's not just down the path and around the corner. I wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you guys.
So, I never met Zac's dad, but that was beautiful. For the record, I think that totally counts!
Nice job Kristen! I can't believe it's been a year. I was watching a Mariner game on TV last night and the pitcher fielded a bunt and threw the ball into right field, waaaaay too high so I yell, "Weeeeeeeeeeeee!" just like Emil would have and realized most of what I know about baseball came from him. And 100% of the hilarious things to yell during a game came from him too. Zac probably knows about a million more!
Oh Krip- this was so tender. I can't believe it's been a year. I' glad you guys were able to get out on the field to remember him...
Totally like you!
chirur, I am just sitting at work in between calls and wanted to give a shout out. shout. out. I am getting ready to call a korean boy named arnold mcnugget. classic. keep it easy!
kristen, this is kami (field) i read your blog from time to time. i just wanted to say that this was a really beautiful post. i read it with tears filling my eyes. i didn't know Emil too well but like everyone else was shocked a year ago when he passed away. i still think about all of you and especially peggy, hoping you're all doing okay. he was a great man!
Kristen,
We were thinking and praying for you guys that day...and always!
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