"To Me, Legacy Is Paramount"

Its October 23rd 1999 just before 11am and the sun is out, yet still cold enough in my hometown of Cle Elum, WA. that we can see our breath.

I had just turned 18 a couple months before and graduated high school the previous June.

I find myself with my sister and father as we make our way through a parking lot full of cars into the church.

It was packed to capacity, standing room only, and we are directed to the front row.

After the service we are the first to exit the church, as we walk out slowly, arm in arm, I see the faces of an entire community, the community I grew up in.

They shared grief and sadness for us.

There are aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Even teachers that my older sister and I both had. As well as colleagues of my father’s that are there.

This crowd is made up of generations of people that have known my family for what seems like forever.

As we turn left to finally exit the church, I look up and see Mike, his son Ericis one of my best friends to this day and has been since we were 6.

Mike looked at me but didn’t say a word...

He just reached out with his right hand to shake my right hand then covered it with his left as a comforting gesture.

He then nodded and had a look in his eyes that said,

“We Got You”.

My sister, father, and I continued to go outside, and now the parking lot is not only full of cars but people too.

There were people who couldn’t get in because the church couldn’t hold them.

As strange is this may sound, I cannot help but smile when I think of this day…

If you haven’t figured it out yet, this was the day of my mother Cheri’s funeral.

You are probably asking yourself,

“Why is this a day that makes him smile?”

I will tell you why. But first, a little about my mom…

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