HEART FELT THANK YOU TO THE WINGS

[liloz 0]

I just have to say THANK YOU so much to this team that I love so much. I’ve been a hockey fan since I was little when my step-dad use to take us to see the Flint Generals. I use to think they where the be all end all until I got older and discovered the Red Wings. My family moved around a lot so I followed them on and off from a far until 1996 when we finally moved back to southeast MI and settled in. From then on I was totally hooked and have had so much fun over the past 12 years going to games, attending training camp in Traverse City and getting a chance to meet most of the players. I was young and free and had a great group of friends (who also loved the Wings) and we could take off at a moments notice to go down to the Joe to see a game or travel to Toronto or Chicago to see an away game. We had so much fun.

Three years ago that all changed. My Grandfather, who was a surrogate father to me and my brother, passed away quite unexpectedly. He was the most wonderful Grandfather and father anyone could ever have and I took his death very hard.

As if the loss of the most important man in my life was not hard enough, my Grandmother (My Grandpa’s wife) was still living, but her health was not good. I knew she could not live alone so I made the decision to give up my place and move in with her and take care of her so she would not have to go into a nursing home. Because of my commitment to her and the depression that I experienced after grandpa’s death I basically withdrew from everything and everyone except my family. Although my friends understood I was grieving we inevitably lost contact with each other.

When the playoffs started this year it was the first time I had gotten excited about anything in a looong time. I found myself actually looking forward to something again. As each game was played I got more and more excited about life again. I wanted to go to the games and be with people (other than just my family) again.

Unfortunately my Grandmothers health has taken a dramatic turn for the worse in recent weeks and I was unable to attend any games. But I watched them all. I stayed up and watched the triple overtime game, and was devastated when they lost. I moped around for the next day and half, but I never lost faith in my boys. I knew they would pull it off in Pittsburgh. I cried when they won the Cup, tears of happiness for the first time in 3 years.

I watched the parade on TV today and so wished to be a part of some of the celebrations. Obviously family is more important and I must attend to my Grandmother (which I do with all the love in the world). But I finally feel like joining in on life again and I owe that to this team. For whatever reason they’ve sparked something in me that nothing else has been able to do in 3 years. And I’m just so grateful for this hockey team and the entertainment and excitement and happiness they bring into my life.

My dream is to someday be one of those lucky few fans that get to drink from the Cup and I will enjoy every minute of trying to make that dream come true.

THANKS GUYS FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR AND FOR THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES!!!

[kemosabi 0]

Well I for one found that very touching. I hope your grandma and you find peace. And I hope you realize your dream of drinking from the cup! PTL for these Red Wings and a sport that generates truly inspirational warriors. GO WINGS!!!

[spydrwebb 0]

right there with you, grew up in the IMA myself, with the Generals faithful.

what a ride. simply amazing.

amen.

[Kira 451]

I just have to say THANK YOU so much to this team that I love so much. I’ve been a hockey fan since I was little when my step-dad use to take us to see the Flint Generals. I use to think they where the be all end all until I got older and discovered the Red Wings. My family moved around a lot so I followed them on and off from a far until 1996 when we finally moved back to southeast MI and settled in. From then on I was totally hooked and have had so much fun over the past 12 years going to games, attending training camp in Traverse City and getting a chance to meet most of the players. I was young and free and had a great group of friends (who also loved the Wings) and we could take off at a moments notice to go down to the Joe to see a game or travel to Toronto or Chicago to see an away game. We had so much fun.

Three years ago that all changed. My Grandfather, who was a surrogate father to me and my brother, passed away quite unexpectedly. He was the most wonderful Grandfather and father anyone could ever have and I took his death very hard.

As if the loss of the most important man in my life was not hard enough, my Grandmother (My Grandpa’s wife) was still living, but her health was not good. I knew she could not live alone so I made the decision to give up my place and move in with her and take care of her so she would not have to go into a nursing home. Because of my commitment to her and the depression that I experienced after grandpa’s death I basically withdrew from everything and everyone except my family. Although my friends understood I was grieving we inevitably lost contact with each other.

When the playoffs started this year it was the first time I had gotten excited about anything in a looong time. I found myself actually looking forward to something again. As each game was played I got more and more excited about life again. I wanted to go to the games and be with people (other than just my family) again.

Unfortunately my Grandmothers health has taken a dramatic turn for the worse in recent weeks and I was unable to attend any games. But I watched them all. I stayed up and watched the triple overtime game, and was devastated when they lost. I moped around for the next day and half, but I never lost faith in my boys. I knew they would pull it off in Pittsburgh. I cried when they won the Cup, tears of happiness for the first time in 3 years.

I watched the parade on TV today and so wished to be a part of some of the celebrations. Obviously family is more important and I must attend to my Grandmother (which I do with all the love in the world). But I finally feel like joining in on life again and I owe that to this team. For whatever reason they’ve sparked something in me that nothing else has been able to do in 3 years. And I’m just so grateful for this hockey team and the entertainment and excitement and happiness they bring into my life.

My dream is to someday be one of those lucky few fans that get to drink from the Cup and I will enjoy every minute of trying to make that dream come true.

THANKS GUYS FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR AND FOR THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES!!!

I know where you are coming from. I too have memories like that, but mine are with parents.

On January 16, 1997 I lost my mom to cancer. She did not live to see The Captain lift the Cup, though some words she said before she passed fit the guys and the team so well, now as well as then..."I didn't fight this long and this hard to give up this easily." Those words are forever a part of me.

Now, here it is, 2008. We've won it again. And I am losing my father. I found out he probably will not survive the summer. Yet he did get to see the guys raise it one more time. It's a whole new world of faces from '97, but it's still as magic and wonderful.

My memories of this team go back to training camp last September. I have been there the last three years and I've met a lot of the guys. They are some of the sweetest, kindest, classiest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Kirk Maltby, Tomas Holmstrom, Jim Howard and Pasha have been kind enough to let me have a photo with them. Pasha has autographed both my Moscow Dynamo jerseys for me - in fact, he has asked me if I would like him to do that - how many athletes in pro sports would take the time to do that?

I've got my tickets for Traverse already, and I'm looking forward to it. But for now, thank you to all the guys...to Andreas, Kyle, Nick, Justin, Dan, Derek, Dallas, Kirk, Aaron (you were so sweet at camp - I hope you come back), Brett, Brad, Cheli, D-mac. Jiri (thanks for making a point of signing my book after everyone pushed me away- you didn't have to but you did), Brian, Ozzie, Kris, Jim (you were a good sport), Mikael, Dom, Henrik, Mattias, Darren, Mark, Jonathan, Valtteri, Nik, Kopi, Johan, Homer, and especially Pasha. I will see you guys in September - count on it. I love you all.

Edited June 7, 2008 by Kira

[liloz 0]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted well wishes to me and my Grandmother.

My grammie (as I always called her) passed away this morning (Wed. 6/11/08). She lived a long full life (she was 91) and although I will miss her terribly she is in a better place now and not suffering anymore.

Again thanks for the support

[TheCaptain19 49]

liloz it seems its been awhile since uve been around. good luck to your grandma.

[David 2]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted well wishes to me and my Grandmother.

My grammie (as I always called her) passed away this morning (Wed. 6/11/08). She lived a long full life (she was 91) and although I will miss her terribly she is in a better place now and not suffering anymore.

Again thanks for the support

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, but glad that something as simple as a sport can help to lift your spirits through hard times.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted well wishes to me and my Grandmother.

My grammie (as I always called her) passed away this morning (Wed. 6/11/08). She lived a long full life (she was 91) and although I will miss her terribly she is in a better place now and not suffering anymore.

Again thanks for the support

You're a very special person, to do what you did for your beloved Grammie. She is your angel now, dear, always. My best friend, and "extra" mom as I call her, is 90 and recently diagnosed with cancer, so I treasure every day with her even more. She and your grammie sound very similar in spirit!

You always have friends here, you know. Take care of yourself and enjoy life, she would want you to.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted well wishes to me and my Grandmother.

My grammie (as I always called her) passed away this morning (Wed. 6/11/08). She lived a long full life (she was 91) and although I will miss her terribly she is in a better place now and not suffering anymore.

Again thanks for the support

May your grandmother rest in peace. At least she went out the right way, after a long and I am assuming mostly healthy life given she made it through 9 decades.

I hope I can somehow get to that age of living as well before my time is up.

[Kira 451]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted well wishes to me and my Grandmother.

My grammie (as I always called her) passed away this morning (Wed. 6/11/08). She lived a long full life (she was 91) and although I will miss her terribly she is in a better place now and not suffering anymore.

Again thanks for the support

My heartfelt condolences to you, liloz.

Your words made me think of something the late, great Groucho Marx said when his brother Harpo passed away. "He loved life and lived it joyously and deeply, and that's as good an epitaph as anyone can have." I believe those words are for your Grammie too. If you need to vent you can always PM me...I'm not far away.