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September
2nd, 2007
You
know that old saying about "stopping to smell the roses", I'm
sure you're all familiar with it. My version of that, is to stop and look
at an empty wave going by whenever I'm paddling out, or just standing
on the beach with friends and family. I can't pass up a chance to look
at an empty wave. I love to look deep into hollow waves and try and see
things I've never seen before.
I guess, it's mostly because of my age, that I do this.
I suppose there aren't too many amped young surfers in New England
taking the time to watch an empty wave go by. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe there
are plenty of young surfers stopping to smell the roses, or stopping to
watch an empty wave. The point of all of this is, to remind us all again,
that life, is indeed too short. We really shouldn't have to constantly
remind one another, that life is short. But we do. And because I write
this weekly blog, I will gladly take the time to remind you all again.
Life is short. We are here on this planet for a very short time. Where
we all go from here, is a subject for another day. I'm talking about the
living. Today, in the "now."
Last weekend, a very good friend of our local surfing community took ill
for what could of been the worse possible outcome. Longtime surfer and
friend Gary Ritchie suffered a Massive heart attack after surfing
on Friday. Only he didn't know it until Monday. He felt
sick all weekend and by Monday he couldn't stand the pain and being
sick anymore, so he drove himself to the local hospital. Once he arrived
there, they did a quick scan on him and realized, he was having a massive
heart attack, and they immediately transported him to a larger medical
facility. Thank God.
A triple by-pass later, Gary was in a medical induced coma, and
for the next 48 hours it was a wait and see for his family and
friends.
I'm happy to report that Gary is doing better. He's not completely
out of the woods just yet, but he is on the road to recovery. The power
of positive thinking and deep prayers by his family and friends have worked
their positive force into Gary's subconscious state and gave him
the strength to fight back.
His family and friends are beyond happy today. His brother Billy
and his wife Alex, his daughter Jessica and son Eric,
his Mom and everyone else close to him have all been very thankful for
everyone's thoughts and prayers.
I
like to think that, Gary's late brother Mark may have had
something to do with his recovery process, as well as his late Grandfather.
There are forces and things, bigger and more beautiful, than any of us
can ever imagine out there. And it's there for those of us, who have done
good things, during on our short visit on this planet.
But
like I said earlier, that's a subject for another time.
This is about a local surfer, here on this earth, who went through a very
difficult time and survived. And he did it, because of the reasons I had
mentioned above.
One thing's for sure. He's going to need help when this is all said and
done with. The road to recovery will be a long and difficult one. We'll
be talking with Gary's family in the near future, and when we have
more information, we will once again, come together as a community, to
help one of our own get back on his feet. Maybe we'll even call it, "Get
Gary Back On His Feet Fund". Whatever we call it, we'll be getting
you all the info as it comes in.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the entire Ritchie family, and friends
of Gary, we thank you for all your well wishes and positive thoughts,
and meaningful prayers. They worked.
Now, don't forget to smell the roses. To watch an empty wave. To call
an old friend, or family member that you have not spoken with in some
time. Don't leave any regrets behind. Our time here on this earth is very
short.
The surfing, and everything else we do, is fine and good, but the love
and friendships, that we have for each other, is just as, if not more
important.
"Look at that perfect empty wave!"
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Speaking of local Surf families and friends, we had another great turnout
for the local SURF FAMILY ROBINSON beach party. For 16
consecutive years now, the local New England surfers with children
have gotten together on the first Saturday of Labor Day Weekend
to enjoy each other's company. We did it all for the youngsters, Crab
Racing (both using Real Crabs and then human crabs) and Pin the Surfer
On The wave (a Pin the tail on the donkey offshoot), there were Outrigger
rides, boogie boarding, surfing and even some SUPB'in going on.
And
of course, the ever popular Silver dollar hunt followed by the appearance
of Pirate Jonas ( the most despicable, most disliked, stinkiest,
smelliest pirate on the seacoast) and the subsequent sword fight against
the outgunned, under sworded, underweight, poor Capn' Vince look-a-like
Capn' Ralph. And then the huge treasure hunt. Sound corny? Well,
if you're a young surf child with an active imagination, it is anything
but. It is in a word...FUN.
This was, and is, a concept that a bunch of us Surf Families came up with
16 years ago. My daughter Gabby was 2yrs old, and Max
was not quite a year old, during the very first one. Now, they are all
grown up and there are new kids from younger surfers with kids who show
up each year.
And
so the spirit of Surf Family Robinson lives on.
If you have a young child who lives in a surf family atmosphere, you should
really try and come next year, You'll be glad you did. But more importantly,
your kid will be glad you did. Just ask any parent surfer you know who's
been to this yearly event. The first Saturday, Every Labor Day Weekend
since 1992.
OK
back to reality. The Cold Harsh Reality.
Hurricane
Felix is following the same path as Dean last from the week
before. That's got to be bad news for all those poor people down there.
Just terrible. These wild weather patterns, have no rhyme or reason, to
what's fair and not fair. Lord knows those people have suffered enough
already.
And how about those Grass Fires in Greece? Over 60 people killed
in the fast moving flames and wind.
Global warming? Who the hell knows. It's just another reminder for us
all to be thankful for where we are, and what we have. New England
may have cold winters, but at least we don't have to suffer through some
of the world's most dangerous storms and firestorms.
We do have to suffer through the Red Sox losing 3 straight
to the Yanks last week. Ouch. I mean OUCHIE WA WA.
I'm afraid to ask how many games up they are now. The last time I checked
it was 5. I'm sure one of you will set me straight. You always
do. But HOW ABOUT THE ROOKIE NO HITTER? That was something special.
And how about Rodney Harrison? Or should we now call him "Roidney"
Harrison? I mean come on Rodney! WE NEED YOU! And I just read
this morning, that Seymour will be out for the first 6 weeks!
Huh??? Are you kidding me? Wait, let me get this straight. No Seymour.
No Harrison. For the first 4-6 weeks? And we're supposed to be
going to superbowl? Hello? We may be going to the "Stupid
Bow"
if this shit keeps up. This is ridiculous.
I guess it could be worse They could be killing dogs.
Don't forget...
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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