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nwhikerAnne-Chloe's old gymnastics coach, Dan, died this morning. It was apparently lung cancer, and it was an aggressive and fast one. He didn't tell anyone but his ex-wife/friend/co-gym-owner-for-many-years. His kids didn't find out until last week.
I have no idea how many years Dan was Anne-Chloe's coach. He got her through her ACL injury and back from it, and was always a good egg. Dh and I worked with him many a time on meet set up and tear down, and he really liked dh. It was always fun, working with Dan.
He always wore a baseball cap, backwards, and curly locks popped out from under it. This despite the fact that he was pretty much 100% bald on top, LOL. The gym in in a warehouse at the top of a hill, and there is a small strip of dirt running all the way down, and Dan planted a garden there. He had grapes, and tomatoes, and strawberries, and flowers. Green thumb.
He was, first and foremost, an educator. He retired, a long time ago, and headed down to California to be as much of a beach bum/used book seller as he could afford to be. Then... Jeff, another coach on the team, committed suicide, leaving a whole bunch of traumatized little girls.
Dan came straight back. He packed his old red truck and was back in Washington within a few days, helping the girls get through that horrible horrible time. That's one of those things, as a parent, that you don't forget, the people who truly care.
Last time we saw him was a few years back. We often went up to the gym when we needed a clear view to the West and were up there one evening, probably comet hunting. Dan was closing up, we all called out greetings. Ah well.
I don't believe in Heaven, but if I did, I'd wish Dan sunny beaches, a warm ocean, and plenty of books to read and trade.
I have no idea how many years Dan was Anne-Chloe's coach. He got her through her ACL injury and back from it, and was always a good egg. Dh and I worked with him many a time on meet set up and tear down, and he really liked dh. It was always fun, working with Dan.
He always wore a baseball cap, backwards, and curly locks popped out from under it. This despite the fact that he was pretty much 100% bald on top, LOL. The gym in in a warehouse at the top of a hill, and there is a small strip of dirt running all the way down, and Dan planted a garden there. He had grapes, and tomatoes, and strawberries, and flowers. Green thumb.
He was, first and foremost, an educator. He retired, a long time ago, and headed down to California to be as much of a beach bum/used book seller as he could afford to be. Then... Jeff, another coach on the team, committed suicide, leaving a whole bunch of traumatized little girls.
Dan came straight back. He packed his old red truck and was back in Washington within a few days, helping the girls get through that horrible horrible time. That's one of those things, as a parent, that you don't forget, the people who truly care.
Last time we saw him was a few years back. We often went up to the gym when we needed a clear view to the West and were up there one evening, probably comet hunting. Dan was closing up, we all called out greetings. Ah well.
I don't believe in Heaven, but if I did, I'd wish Dan sunny beaches, a warm ocean, and plenty of books to read and trade.
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