To My "C"

Coach (Aka Gru)

     I don't think you understand how much I miss you already. You have been one of my heroes since 4th grade. When I looked at you I thought I was looking straight at god(even though you are Jewish). You have always been there for me and it's going to be really hard to let you go. I do believe I am still in shock. You have guided me through every problem I thought I had or would have and ever faced. You have been the parental figure to all of us. Coach, you have changed lives, in ways I don't think you can even imagine. My saying for you is "Live, Love, Laugh." Mostly because it explains you completely. I have never ever been a confident person. Yet, you never stopped trying to make me feel comfortable in my own skin. By this time I am actually crying while trying to get out every word. You made me feel almost invincible. That no matter what mistake I made you would still give me the best bear hug in the whole freaking world. You have always given me hope, kindness, joy and complete and utter honesty( Like seriously too much honest :)). You have taught me and so many other people life lessons that no one will get the chance to learn at such a young age. I was some boney, tiny blond with too many freckles and "eyes like color of my candy lollipop" ( you quoted this coach, and if you get to read this one day then yes I know your weird!)
   We are supposed to write these and then cremate them with you... But I am at a loss of words to say. There are so many memories that I have with you I can't write them all. Yet I am going to try because you need something to read while you are watching over our boring lives. I don't know if you will remember this but, in 7th grade, we were at the cheer clinic. I was flying for the first time and trying to do a lib, and then got dropped on my head... you picked me up looked me in the eyes and said a good job, try it again so you will not be scared. I felt so proud of myself. Just you recognizing my hard work meant and will always mean everything to me. I look up to you so much coach and you were my person, you always will be. You honestly remind me what it is to be human. You have shown us all what it means to make mistakes and take responsibility for your actions. To never give up, to keep going when your heart is broken or when your too weak to go on. You were there to pick us all up and finish the race. I wish I could have been there to pick you up. But either way, you won 1st place.

There was a moment that we, as a team, all remember. Your Mantrums. The best thing I have ever seen. Mostly because I was trying not to laugh. You were so mad we did not put all of our poms in one pile, you picked them up and yelled: "put them in a pile!!" You were so mad hahaha. Those moments when One direction What Makes You Beautiful was your favorite song and wanted it to be the tryout song. You knew every single word to that song. Yet your favorite part was the one word "Come on". I still do not understand, but your coach and I don't think I ever will.

I do believe I now have a guardian angel looking over me, protecting me from all the things coming at me in the night. I know that every yellow light I hit is you laughing at me and making fun of me. I really don't know why the best people have the worst of luck. It does not make any sense to me what so ever. How is it that you could have Lymphoma B cell Cancer? And the fact that it is 95% curable and you landed in the 5%?? I want to be really angry with you because you left us... you left me. But I can't, your the only person I know who could start a fight and end it with everyone laughing in a matter of minutes. You would tell us we were fugly so that when we were called it, it would affect us ha-ha. You will always be my second father. You raised me. Jordan and Cole are like my siblings. Suzy is like my mom, protecting me and fixing my hair :). I love you coach and I am going to miss you so much. Rest in Paradise C. #4C!!

Sarah