Tag: Lacrosse

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Be The Best.

Decision: Let’s play lacrosse!

Today’s date is not lost on me.  It is exactly one month today that Chris passed away.  Yesterday was probably the hardest day I’ve had since the first week.  Remember that yo-yo analogy? Maybe more like an elevator.  What I believe more than ever is that we continue to move forward by making decisions on a daily or hourly basis, whatever is needed, to move forward.

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Does that mean blocking feelings and emotion? No. But what it does mean is that we are not going to sit around and be sad 24-7.  Specifically for today, it means lacrosse.

We are very proud to be attending the Intermediate A Langley Thunder lacrosse home opener at the Langley Event Centre at 2pm.  We are there as fans and to support Chris’ teammates. I found this picture that I just had to show you.  This was taken in April of 2007 at a tournament in Coquitlam.  For privacy sake, I’ll leave out the names of the boys, but you’ll recognize many of the faces.  Coach Sean Beasley and Harvey Bull flank the boys with Chris in the front row. They may have grown a little in the past three years!!!  Many of these boys will be on the floor this afternoon.  Chris will be with you in spirit boys.  Be The Best! I’m hoping to be in my ‘usual game spot’ at least some of the time in the corner of the rink at rink level shooting some pictures!

ps. For the uninitiated, lacrosse is an intense, fast-paced game like hockey with big hits and amazing stick skills.  More on the history of Canada’s national summer sport in future blogs!

pps. We are also attending the home opener of the Junior A Langley Thunder on Tuesday night where a video tribute to Chris is planned as well as the 50-50 proceeds will go to the Chris Friesen Memorial Award.  We humbly thank the Thunder and the lacrosse community for this amazing support!!

Have a great Sunday.

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Be The Best.

The New Normal

I was at the bank the other day dealing with Chris’ account.  It’s one of many things you have to ‘take care of’.

My bank rep was very understanding and kind.

She shared with me a story of loss in her own family and then described how she had processed and proceeded to the future.  She called it THE NEW NORMAL.

I really like that term.  Nothing will ever be the same.  There is no such thing as normal.  Every day for the rest of our lives we will remember.  However, we need to continue living…and more than that we need to continue to live with purpose, desire and a sense of urgency to help shape the world (through people) in a positive way.

Chris at Field Nationals (Sept '09)

Short-term, that means we’ll focus on the Chris Friesen Memorial Award and providing young lacrosse playing SFU students a chance to concentrate more on their sport and studies through this fund…with the purpose of challenging them to make the world a better place.

Their challenge will be to Be The Best.

We’re not sure what the future holds exactly, but we choose to live with purpose.

That’s our new normal.

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Be The Best.

Is your workstation the best?

Be The Best. Now that's a workstation!

When my nephew Steve and his wonderful wife Meggan were contacted about Chris’ passing, I did not expect them to be at my doorstep 24 hours later.  Not because they wouldn’t want to, it’s just that they live in Charleston, South Carolina and Steve was consulting in the New York area at the time.  Multiple planes and over 5,000 km later, they were in our Langley home (near Vancouver, BC) helping us deal with events as they were unfolding.  Steve’s dedication to the eulogy videos was incredible. Meggan did everything from dishes to vacuuming to listening and supporting and everything else in between.

On Saturday they had to leave for home.  After 3 more planes and a long day of travel, Steve ‘rested’ for 8 hours before jumping on yet another plane for an entire week of consulting work in New Jersey. Tired yet?  Not Steve.  He has helped me immensely this week with patches and logos for lacrosse stickers and jersey patches and even had time to create the desktop background you see above…(picture taken at his hotel workstation).

He’s also been working on AC’s (Auntie Cathy’s) new website and improved access to her music!  Be The Best. You are living it Steve-o.  We love you guys!  With all that energy, he’s like some incredible BCIT graduate or something…(oh right, he is…Computer Systems).  Meggan, he is authorized to sleep in till at least 7:30am this Saturday, that is unless you need him to wash the dishes…  ur  (Uncle Randy)

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Be The Best.

The Back Story – part 2

Ok, so if you’ve done your homework, (see The Back Story – part 1) you are now ready for part 2. (yes, that’s my teaching side coming through!)

I did not trust myself to complete the eulogy ‘live’ at the service, so I decided to write the eulogy (working with Ingrid (amazing wife) and Max (18 yr old son)) and then with the incredible effort of my nephew Steve Lacoursiere, this 18 minute production was developed. (2 videos below)  I must mention that Max insisted on being involved in the narration, a decision that I deeply respect and cherish.  That kid has been a rock.  Max I love ya.

I completely understand that Chris’ passing causes questions about ‘who was that kid?’, ‘who is that family?’.

We want the world to understand that Chris Friesen was a passionate person who was also a perfectionist.  He was his own worst critic.  At its best, that pushed him to the next level, constantly raising the bar.  At its worst, he would get mad at himself (you’ll hear the story about his driving exam) when he didn’t achieve the level of success he felt he should.

On March 25, 2010, Chris had a car accident driving out of the school parking lot in which he hit a fence with the car and sustained damage to the vehicle, but it was still drivable.  The impact of this one event was massive for Chris.  You’ll understand more if you have watched every video in The Back Story – part 1 and the full and complete videos below.  Chris wanted to Be The Best.  Chris, your passion WILL fuel us!

Chris Friesen Eulogy – part 1

Chris Friesen Eulogy – part 2

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Be The Best.

The Back Story – part 1

To understand a story, you need some history.

We played these videos at Chris’ funeral.

We’re not a perfect family, but you’ll be able to see a few things.

In the Zipline videoyou see a family having fun and sharing experiences.

In the Christmas Tree video, you see typical teenagers standing asleep or looking like they don’t really care…oh, but they do!

In the Lacrosse Highlight video, you see the amazing skill of Chris Friesen. (Yes, I know I’m his Dad, but he was really good!)

In the Interview video, you see the passion of the kid.  He wanted to win and be part of a team.  He wanted to help people.  He wanted to Be The Best.

You’ve got some video watching to do! That’s going to be your homework, before this whole blog and interchange of ideas really makes sense.  I told you I was a teacher, right?  Now go do your homework…!

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Be The Best.

Easter Sunday – and so it begins.

Welcome to my blog.  When I set this up a few months ago, I could never have imagined this being my first post.

Chris Friesen

My youngest son Christian Douglas Friesen…(we called him Chris), passed away on March 25, 2010.  He was just 17 years old.  In the next days and weeks I will introduce you to Chris from a father’s perspective.

I don’t think I would be starting this blog if it hadn’t have been for the amazing strength and powerful relationships that we gained through a Facebook memorial page this past week as we prepared to honour and remember Chris at his funeral service on April 1.

I read a book last year called How Starbucks Saved My Life. I feel like writing my own book now…How Facebook Saved our Lives.  Of course it’s the people behind the technology, but in our darkest moments…and in dark moments to come, the on-line community balanced with the outpouring of support from family and friends drove our strength.

You’ll hear a lot about Chris Friesen in this blog, but we’ll also journey through life and hopefully learn together.  Chris…your passion will fuel us.  You are fueling me already to share all the life lessons I gave you as a Dad with a wider circle.  Seeing your influence in others since your passing has made this Dad (and Mom), so amazingly proud of you I simply cannot tell you.

This blog is dedicated to helping fuel the passion in all of us.  That will make more and more sense as time goes on…

Note: To gain full context of this blog, you’re encouraged to view Back Story part 1 and Back Story part 2.