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May
20th, 2007
I've been mentioning off and on, for the last six months about saying
prayers and sending positive vibes to John Bocko and his family.
John owned and operated GUS's Bicycle Shop in North Hampton.
John's been very sick and he had been fighting Cancer. He lost that
battle on Tuesday May 15th. His wife was at his side as he slipped
away quietly in his sleep. It's hard to understand how someone as young
and so seemingly fill of life, can suddenly get sick and be taken away
from his loved ones. The great mysteries of life come into play here.
John was actually preparing for this final Journey into the next
world or after life for sometime now. This Journey, that we are all on
in our current world, will eventually end, and we will embark on another
Journey. Depending on what you believe, this new Journey that John
is currently taking, is for all intents and purposes... the Ultimate Journey
into Paradise.
As surfers (and John was a Surfer), we like to think that our Journey
into the afterlife will take us to a tropical paradise (unless you're
really hardcore, and you're hoping for something like what we have around
here), with warm water, overhead perfect surf, swaying palm trees, sunny
skies and white sandy beaches.
But most importantly, we're looking for internal peace, and maybe reuniting
with family and friends who have already crossed over. The meeting together
of loved ones again. Or at least, I think that's what we all want to believe
is waiting for us. Again, I can't speak for all of you, but I believe
that's what we all want.
So how do we get there? This Tropical Paradise in heaven? Where do you
buy that ticket? Well, I think you get there, by simply being good. By
doing the right thing. Stopping to help someone along the way. Lend a
hand. Correct the wrongs you come across and make them right, even if
it means you ruffle a few feathers along the way. John was like
that. He helped people.
But I think that the being 'good to one another' is key. Lord knows we
can all work on that part of our personality. I know I could use some
help in that department. I'm trying to be good. I really am.
Stan Bocko is John's brother. I've known Stan for
a long time. He and his wife Mindy and their two children Joel
and Amber are a loving Surf Family. Stan has been surfing
here since 1966. He still surfs. Those of us who know Stan,
can testify of his goodness and love for his family and friends. At the
wake, Stan let me borrow a photo of John Surfing in 1967
(see below) and another photo of the two of them together this past winter
after his major surgery. He wanted to share it with you all.
Losing your only brother, is I'm sure, very hard for Stan. Yet
Stan and his family seem to be holding up quite nicely during this
time of sorrow. They have each other. They have a loving family and so
many loving friends. They are comforting John's wife Debbie
and daughter Kendra and all the friends of John.
And they have surfing.
Stan, Joel and Amber all surf. Maybe if this current swell holds
another day or two, they may get out and cleanse their souls. Or the very
least, they can all watch the surf. Mind surfing is good for the soul.
When we came back from John's wake, we went surfing. I found out
later that night, that another Surfer had suffered a similar loss. Local
Surfer Josh Bellam (JB) lost his Mother ,Viola Bellman on
Thursday. She passed away suddenly. Had I known about this, I would
of attended the wake. Josh is a great guy and the thought of losing
your mother, five days after Mother's Day seems so sad. So please
my friends, say a prayer tonight for Josh and his mom.
I've heard that prayers do work. I've heard it from several sources, that
the power of prayer can really help someone who is sick and someone who
needs emotional help. And they can help someone who's crossed over to
the other side. John Bocko and Viola Bellman.
Say a prayer tonight for the Bocko family, and the Bellman
family.
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Hope
you got to surf in the last few days. Too bad this swell was not here
last weekend when the ESA was in town. The waves would of been
perfect for the contest. I mean it. You all would of been treated to
a showcase of talent if the surf was like it was this weekend. But alas
my friends, 'twas not to be. It ain't easy predicting surf.
The glassy conditions all weekend kept the buzz going. The only thing
missing was the sun. I know the rain is not good for a lot of things,
but for us, we could care less. As long as there's surf, let it rain.
Hell, let it pour. Just keep the Lightening in check.
The surf this weekend caused a few of us to note that Summer is not
that far off. We saw it all this weekend. Guys wearing no gloves and
some even skipped the booties (are you shitting me?) Some guys wearing
trunks...yep it's true (see below). Actually these guys were wearing
them over their wetsuits. Fashion, it's hard to figure out.
There was a few incidents to report as well. People doing the usual
suspect stuff. You know, dropping in, ditching boards, parking in handicapped
spots. That kind of thing.
Look, no one I know wants to get in hassles with anyone for any reason.
Especially silly surf mishaps. Read up on the Surf Etiquette and use
common sense. There's a couple of surf sites that post these helpful
rules. There's NESURF
and I think NESURFARI
has it posted as well.
I know I've joked around in the past about publishing RALPH'S RULES
and maybe I'll get around to actually doing one before summer kicks
in. And it won't just be surfing. It will cover a whole bunch of stuff.
Put it this way. If you follow this handbook, you won't have any problems
from the time you leave your home, to the time you hit the pillow at
night. Like I said...common sense. Don't leave home without it.
Meanwhile check out those sites and brush up on some the unwritten code
of conduct in Surfing. Otherwise,
it's going to be a long testy summer.
Hey can we talk about the Red Sox here? Holy crap! What are they,
10 1/2 games up? And the dreaded Yankees are slipping
deeper into the depths of despair. With or without Roger, those
boys need help. And I don't think George's pockets are deep enough
to solve this problem. Pitching and injuries will kill any team. But
seriously, isn't it nice that it's happening to them and not us? Of
course it is.
There's a Golf Tournament for Danny Miller on June
30th. Call the shop for details about that outing. And we'll be
having a Paddle for Danny coming up with in the next month. And
we'll certainly keep you posted on that.
I thought about Danny today. I was watching the young son of
local Surfer Jack Cadigan watch his dad surf this afternoon.
Little John Cadigan was watching his pop catch wave after wave
this afternoon and you could see the lights going on in his little mind.
The seed had been planted. I thought about young Landon and wondered
which of Danny's friends would be planting that same seed. Turning
some young kid onto surfing is one of life's greatest pleasures as an
adult surfer.
Please Remember The Danny Miller Foundation.
Donations for Late Surfer Danny Miller's young son can be made to
The Landon Miller Fund through ANY Citizen Bank.
Or send your donation to:
The Landon Miller Foundation
83 South Road
North Hampton, NH 03862
Click
below to see Danny Tribute or see Danny Surfing
Tribute to Danny.
North By Northeast
Remember
my friends...Surfing heals all wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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