Today I'd like to take a few moments to thank all the people who make the 'other' 364 days of the year worth remembering when we get to this time of the year.
Kudos to all the prep athletes who work, toil, dream and achieve within a handful of yards of us year after year. Seasons greetings to the coaches and athletic directors who pour so much sweat equity into their team, their schools and their sports. The passion, pandemonium and interest in sports, all the way to the professional level, starts with you.
Holiday wishes to the officials who are willing to step on the field and try every day and every game. We as a sporting community focus so much on all the ancillary faults of officials in the modern information era, but the credit goes to the men and women who step on the field and bare themselves to everything imaginable -- like endless criticism -- while leaving everything but their confidence and good will behind.
Merry Christmas to the business family of Cliff Keen. It was an amazing 2008 and we're poised to smash through more barriers in '09. Thanks for your generosity and trust.
Thanks to the many media professionals who helped me achieve a personal dream of becoming an author. Specifically, Communications Director John Johnson and the other staff members at the Michigan High School Athletic Association. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the sales, marketing and editorial staff at Arcadia Publishing -- thanks for the belief and fortitude to stick by me. And blessings to my agent, Terry Whalin, who is a good sounding board for my map to success.
To the many former athletes, collectors, historians and coaches who volunteered their pictures, articles, knowledge and enthusiasm for my two books, thank you and Merry Christmas. Thanks to the loyal readers who read either my original WriteReferee blog or the syndicated version found at MIPrepsZone.com. To the newspaper staffs at the Livonia and Birmingham editions of the Observer & Eccentric, specifically Dan O'Meara and Marty Budner, thank you. To Jim Evans of The Daily Tribune and Glenn Gilbert, Jeff Kuehn and my man Kozmo at The Oakland Press, thanks for a great 2008!
To everyone who bought my book -- thank you for your support! You have my undying gratitude and well wishes for a great holiday season.
Closer to the heart, to my loyal friends and family (especially my wife and kids), thank you for the faith, support and encouragement as I live the dream. None of this would be possible without you. I look back at 8 August, 2006 and wonder in amazement, how did I ever get here?
Finally, to my nephew Trevor, no matter where you are, there's not a day that goes by I don't think of you. I can't help but hope that a clean split from bad memories gave you the space you needed to find your good heart again. There's a door here for you to knock on if you ever so desire. Uncle Scar loves you, Simba. I'm sure your grandma misses you, too.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Andy, I hope you and Megan had a great Christmas in merry ole' London! BTW, what is Christmas like in the 'old country'? Shoot me an e-mail.
(We are) TC
Posted by: Be The Best | December 27, 2008 at 15:05
I thought that was a great piece, Merry Christmas to you and your family, cousin.
Posted by: Niner! | December 27, 2008 at 07:47