There was a great story in yesterday’s Province Newspaper about Zoe and Bob Longshaw. They’ve been married 65 years and the story of their relationship reads like a slice of history. It’s a great story and I’ve linked it here.
It reminded me of another couple I know who’ve been married over 50 years…I think 55 this September if my memory serves. (If it doesn’t I’m sure my sisters will correct me in short order.) Their names are Jake and Leona Friesen…aka my Mom and Dad.
They were down over Christmas and I had shot some video at Blackie Spit which I had written about at that time, but only put the video clips into a little movie this weekend.
The occasion? A bit of Valentine’s Day and a bit of a birthday…an 80th birthday to be exact.
DAD….HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR FEB 16!
MOM AND DAD…HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
You’ve given your family and so many others a great example of long-lasting relationships.
As has been said many times here, Max and Chris LOVED going to Grandma and Grandpa’s. We are so thankful for all the fantastic memories together.
So with that quick intro, here’s a little peek at a relationship that has stood the test of time.
Once you get involved with any kind of serious lacrosse in the Valley, you’ll soon learn that the Bull family is very well represented and have deep roots in the community and a passion and skill for the game that is in the blood.
Chris played with Brandon Bull, Ashley’s brother, Riley Brown, Ashley’s cousin, and was coached by Dennis Bull (dad) and Harvey Bull (grandpa). See what I mean? We saw Ashley at the rink all the time with stick in hand.
To be named to the National Team for Canada at the U19 level is unbelievable enough. To do it when you’re two and three years younger than most of the players is simply incredible.
It’s completely BE THE BEST!!!
There is a great story about Ashley in the Langley Times which is worth the read.
Here’s an excerpt:
The characteristics some of her coaches used to describe her — tenacious, fearless, determined and not afraid to mix it up — are fitting of her surname.
Coaches were describing Ashley Bull, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student at Walnut Grove Secondary.
“She is best described as fearless,” said former coach Sean Beasley. “Not too many girls find themselves on the lacrosse floor with male players, but she had no fear.”
I love the passion, dedication and focus that Ashley embodied as she pushed towards her dreams.
The Team Canada coaches called her a sponge.
They weren’t saying that because she’s soft…she’s one of the toughest players around and played with all-boys teams for many years holding her own and more often than not being one of the top players on the floor regardless of gender.
No, the coaches called her a sponge because of her desire and willingness to soak up information, to get better, to continually learn to BE THE BEST.
Congrats Ashley.
You’ve made your family, your town, your province and the lacrosse community very proud. We know you’ll make Canada proud too. Go get em!
I think I have a week’s worth of stuff to blog about.
Just like CoJo (I’m disturbed I know his name) at the Golden Globes, I’ll have my complete list of best dressed and worst dressed and other red carpet secrets later this week….or not. (before I get in trouble…everyone looked fantastic…even most of those lacrosse players clean up pretty good or at least had their mom’s or girlfriends iron a shirt for them which is a big step forward. (I have license to state these facts having lived with a lacrosse player for years…!))
What an evening.
I had not been at the Westwood Plateau facility since the Maple Leaf Award dinner last year. That was of course a different kind of evening. Chris won the BMS U-18 Defensive MVP award and we had a great evening hosted by Steve Darling from Global and Brian Price the keynote speaker, a gold medal Olympic rower.
This year, Scott Rintoul from TEAM1040 did a great job of hosting the sold-out event and Max Ritz, lacrosse player, entrepreneur and actor (The Hills on MTV- Season 6) provided interesting insight into the sport and the amazing future this game of lacrosse has.
And although there was to be a Chris Friesen award in 2011 as well, it was very very different that is for sure.
It was really fantastic to have Max with us along with his girlfriend Kiera. To be together as a family was huge for us. To have Langley families there was amazing. There was a family who flew their son in from his lacrosse school in VIRGINIA (yes, I mean east coast USA) to be there at the dinner last night as he played with Chris on the BMS program and wanted to honour his friend.
Are you kidding me?
These lacrosse families are simply awesome.
The BMS/SFU leadership gang asked if I’d put together a video intro to Chris’ award. I was honoured to do so, but it did not come easily. I had not seen Chris speaking for months and months and there are days where I can stare into those beautiful eyes and days where I just can’t. That’s all part of this thing. It’s all simply part of the deep love that provokes emotion far to bottomless for words or comprehension.
Here it is. Enjoy. Much more on this tomorrow…including pictures and who was awarded the Chris Friesen Memorial Award.
(ps…in case you’re wondering about the music about 30 seconds in…Thunderstruck by AC/DC is a tribute to the Langley Thunder lacrosse players and families as this was in essence the theme song for Langley Thunder lacrosse)
Although the winter weather is pounding eastern Canada and the US, the upper west coast of North America has been relatively mild…so far. With a few absolutely spectacular days in Vancouver over the Christmas break, it was a great opportunity to get out to Blackie Spit for a walk.
I’ve posted a previous blog about this place, adjacent to Crescent Beach, and if you can find the time to grab a coffee or tea and head out for a walk, this is an amazing place. Don’t forget your camera.
My Mom loves the ocean and with my Mom and Dad down for a few days over Christmas, this was a great mini trip here in the Lower Mainland.
Take a look at the words on the sign.
‘Imagine this oasis if you were resting during flight.’
Blackie Spit is the home to over 200 species of birds on their migratory routes in fall and spring.
I thought those were interesting words as I reflected on our journey on the new normal pathway and the need to rest during flight.
In many ways, I think that’s what the holidays are supposed to be about. A rest. Not a final place, but a pit-stop along the way. A chance to reflect, eat a whole lot, relax a bit and then get ready to fly again.
I love that last line as well, ‘as you wonder at its beauty, enjoy the sights and sounds; make sure to breathe the salty breeze the wind whips around’.
Two points.
First point: Not sure when the Surrey Parks Board or a Nature Society began to hire poets to write their sign info, but I like it!!
Second point: Resting during flight and feeling the salty breeze that the wind whips around is really great advice.
Burnaby towers under the North Shore MountainsMom and Dad on a little walk.
As much as we look ahead and live for tomorrow, there are still times to reflect on history.
I stumbled across some pictures from Chris and the Bantam Box Lacrosse squad from BC as they represented the Province so admirably in August of 2007.
I had written updates for the BC Lacrosse magazine and this was my final piece summarizing the tournament.
In that final game Chris played the game of his life to that point, being a physical presence that helped BC clinch the Bronze medal in a heavyweight showdown with Alberta. (ok, as heavyweight as 14 year olds can be…which is actually quite heavy…!)
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Chris with good bud Brett Dobray
The journey for the Bantam BC boys began months ago. There were regional selection camps. There was the Team BC final selection camp. For those chosen to represent BC, a number of weekends were spent training for the national championships.
The 22 lacrosse players, along with coaches and entourage, jetted out of Vancouver on Thursday, August 2. After spending 2 days in Peterborough, Ontario for a conditioning camp, the team traveled to the dorms at Durham College in Oshawa, which would be home for the next week.
On Sunday, August 5th, the highlight of the day was the opening ceremonies at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre, touted as Canada’s largest municipal sports centre.
The teams were cheered on by enthusiastic supporters as they entered the arena. Team BC looked strongly West Coast in their multi-blue and gold jerseys proudly showing the mountains and a west coast ‘feel’.
Chris with Mr. Will VH
It felt like every team would be immediately ready to set up the nets and get playing, but there was one more night to go.
On Monday morning, seeing the Team BC players hit the floor in the warm-up of game one against Manitoba produced chills. “Those jerseys look awesome”, whispered one onlooker from an opposing team to his buddy. His friend couldn’t say anything. They were. And as good as the uniforms looked, Bantam Team BC looked even better in them. This was the first official game they had played together and the game ended with a score of 16-1 for the BC crew.
Team BC played Saskatchewan Monday afternoon which was a hard hitting matinee with both teams making their opponents pay the price to get to the net. Team BC finished the game strong with a final score of 10-2.
With two solid first-day games under their collective belts, rest was the top priority post-game, with a major test against Ontario on Tuesday.
Monday’s muggy weather made the arenas the equivalent of being in a steam room with a parka on and you could add an additional 10 degrees on the floor itself. The event staff could not operate the exhaust fans either, explaining that by doing so the draw of air into the building would produce dangerous slippery floor conditions because of the moist, humid conditions outside.
Tuesday’s conditions improved somewhat in the morning with overcast skies and less humidity allowing the exhaust fans to run.
Team Ontario plays big and they came out hitting and highly aggressive. Team BC took the first period to adjust and came back hard in the second with an exceptional effort but the spirited affair ended with a 5-2 loss for BC.
Team Ontario looked strong, but Team BC was immediately hungry to play again. They didn’t have long to wait as Nova Scotia was the challenger in the 6:30pm game. Team BC jumped to an early lead and dominated the run of the play. The final score was BC 10 and Nova Scotia 2.
Wednesday was a rest day.
Thursday’s results were not what Team BC would have wanted. The morning affair featured a game against a rough and tumble brand of lacrosse from Alberta. The Bantams got behind early and could never completely recover. The game ended in an all-out frenzy with Team BC running out of time to mount a full comeback.
Following a brief lunch break, it was ‘game-on’ with Iroquois Nation. A win in this game meant advancing to the 2 vs. 3 playoff game on Friday with a chance to proceed to the gold medal game on Saturday. A loss in the game would mean a bittersweet day off on Friday with a run at the bronze medal.
Chris gets ready to take on all comers in that familiar defensive stance.
The Iroquois Bantams showed BC and every fan in attendance a little thing or two about lacrosse on Thursday evening. Their passing was quick and rhythmic; almost mesmerizing. Their shooting was beautifully wicked. It was as if the Iroquois were stating, “Don’t forget who invented this game.” The symphony of drive, desire, and stick skills mixed with quiet aggression and flawless execution culminated in a 9-1 win for the Iroquois.
This is not to say that Team BC didn’t show up. They did. They worked hard and at times their hard work was misinterpreted into penalty minutes that ended up putting them in multiple odd man situations.
Following the unexpected day off on Friday, the Bantam squad had one thing and one thing only in their sites on Saturday. The Bronze Medal.
They hit. They ran. They shot. They never gave up. If they wanted to have an excuse to fold their tents, they had one in the first period after out-chancing Alberta but finding themselves down by a couple of goals.
In a battle against a team that plays a mean and physical brand of lacrosse you have to play hard and you have to play smart. Team BC executed their game plan perfectly.
Building on a 2nd period attack that just wouldn’t quit, goals were scored by Wesley Berg, Drew Millikin, Mason Pynn, Steve Ferdinandi and Michael Henry. The final score was Team BC 8 and Alberta 4.
The boy’s elation was palatable. Parents and supporters hugged in the stands. The coaches high-fived each other as the players swarmed their goalie, Ryley Brown, in an embrace of champions.
“I’m glad we got things done”, said a proud Coach Sean Beasley. Getting things done was not an easy task. This team could have easily been very down after losing to Alberta and Team Iroquois on Thursday, but they rallied and came to work on Saturday like a team possessed.
With the Bronze Medals proudly around their necks, the players traded gear with new friends who had been foes and looked forward to the next time they could play for their Province in a National Championship.
The Bantam squad from BC did their province proud and they will inevitably bring back experiences, emotions and skill that will build their club teams and ultimately continue to build the beautiful game of lacrosse.
You’ve heard the other name for the town…Lost Wages.
What better place to take a bunch of underage kids for a lacrosse tournament! Joking aside, the supervision for Burnaby Mountain Selects is always awesome and last time I checked, the fields weren’t right on the strip.
Guess what. One of the squads…the U12 (so these are young men 12 years of age and under) won their entire division securing the victory with a come from behind win just hours ago.
That is fantastic and for all the teams, win or lose on the scoreboard, these tournaments just make you better. The competition makes you stronger. It’s all good. Everyone wins.
And now for the completely unexpected.
The winners of this tournie get a cheque for $250. I can think of a lot of things a team could buy. All deserved. Dinner, snacks, souvenirs, lacrosse gear, odor-be-gone for lacrosse bags, etc 🙂
Guess what they just did?
Donated the whole thing to Chris’ fund.
Here’s the pic to prove it just an hour or so ago. (see link below)
I’ve talked a lot about giving and grieving and how those go together. This gift to us is so amazing beyond any dollar amount. What an amazing gift.
THANK YOU boys. THANK YOU Joyce, Brent and Jeff and the entire BMS gang.
Be The Best!
We are humbled, proud and grateful.
I think Chris might just bodycheck someone up in heaven tonight in your honour…if that’s allowed…wait, I’ll check with Rev. Jake (Chris’ Grandpa) cause I’m pretty sure there’s a lacrosse section up there! In fact I know there is…I just wasn’t sure on the bodychecking rule…
Chris, in red, takes on fellow BMSer in practice session.
Late yesterday afternoon we left BCIT and headed up the hill to Simon Fraser University.
We’ve done that drive many times. Most of those times were to drop Chris and his fellow Burnaby Mountain Selects lax dudes off for a practice. Then they would beat each other with sticks and run like crazy people and throw a hard rubber ball as intensely as they could at even crazier dudes who were the goalies! Chris loved it.
Look at these pics from Aug 2009. This was actually a practice down in New West, but these are all BMS players in a scrimmage. Chris is red #32. I love the picture where you can see him smiling through his mouth guard. He loved playing defense. I spoke to some of his teammates who said Chris would hurt you in practice and it was excellent, cause it made you better. You knew he was giving 100% all the time…practice, scrimmage or championship game.
I just LOVE that smile.
Anyways, yesterday wasn’t a practice.
We were heading up to SFU to deliver the cheque that will be presented to the first receipient of the Chris Friesen Memorial Award in January 2011. Wanda from the foundation at SFU met us and she has become a wonderful part of all the good that is happening and will continue to happen in Chris’ name. With the fund over $30,000 and the first gift in place, the fund is now fully operational and will provide the first official payout based on interest earned from the fund in January 2012. We cannot think about the fund or the legacy from the fund without thinking about everyone who contributed directly and indirectly to the fund and our family with love and care over the past 8 months.
That’s the cheque…the coat was today.
Our entrepreneurial marketing students at BCIT were having a fund raiser today with a silent auction and also having a coat drive. Ingrid had a used coat and we also had one from Chris. The thought of his coat keeping someone warm this winter makes us feel good, even though the very simple act of giving away his coat this afternoon was not the easiest thing that I’ve ever done.
There’s a kid that Chris played lacrosse with for years here in Langley.
His name is Bulldog. His given name is Brendan, but I didn’t know that for about 4 years.
He’s graduating from Brookswood Secondary this coming June.
His parents, Kevin and Nauja, are TIRELESS supporters of minor lacrosse. Managing teams, arranging officials, getting parents to volunteer (THE toughest job in the league :)) and being there rain or shine to not only support their son, but support the team which many times included Chris and Bulldog playing on the same squad.
Kevin phoned me up on Saturday.
He talked to Ingrid first as I was driving and what I could overhear sounded good. I parked and she handed the phone over. Great news. Brendan the Bulldog is the first Langley student that I’m aware of from this year’s crop to be accepted and signed (it’s called a National Letter of Intent) with an American College.
Florida Sourthern Mocs
He’ll be playing and studying in Southern Florida at Florida Southern College and the teams are called, the Moccasins, or the Mocs for short.
This is cool on many levels. Firstly, it’s a BE THE BEST moment at the highest level. To have a goal and to see it fulfilled like this is amazing. GREAT JOB BULLDOG!
Secondly, just the drive to be in a position to take things to a new level is life changing. That takes focus and is something we can all learn from.
That phone call was more emotional for me than expected as of course we think of Chris and the opportunities we would have been exploring at this time. Would it be the US? SFU? Other Canadian Universities? We’ll never know, but there is a few things that we do know.
We know that when anyone has a Be The Best moment whether it’s a daily push-up routine or a college scholarship, it’s another victory and another way to honour Chris’ memory.
Be The Best has become much more than a phrase or slogan. It’s a lifestyle and a way to continue to honour Chris as we journey forward.
Bulldog, this news is awesome. We are extremely proud of your accomplishments and wish you every success on your collegiate journey at Florida Southern starting September 2011!!
After a number of weeks of renovations, the ping pong ‘arena’ recently re-opened in the basement.
That means some ping pong must be played.
Tonight we had some of the old Brookswood gang over. Great to see Allan, Beau, Cam and Marshall.
I don’t know if I’m just getting shorter…but these guys are definitely getting taller as we approach the 1/3 mark of their grad year.
Of course we think about what this grad year would have been like with Chris…for Chris and for us. Looking forward to the future. US colleges? SFU? Lacrosse scholarships?
Those questions will never be answered…and it’s hard.
That being said, it’s fantastic to hear the thoughts, dreams and plans of these young men and others like them as they prepare for their next steps. Not that everything is clear yet. My goodness…I had no idea what to do after Grade 12…but you start making decisions, see where that leads and make another decision and keep moving forward.
To everyone I would encourage you that things start with dreams. Action (ie simple decisions) turn dreams into goals and goals into measurable tasks…usually on a daily and most certainly weekly basis.
Allan picked up his Chris Friesen memorial lacrosse shafts tonight and you see me and the guys in the pics below. Thanks to Max for being the photographer tonight!
Remember…it’s ok to not know where you’re exactly going. You just want to keep your feet moving.
THAT is advice that we are aiming to live every single day.
Be The Best. 