The world lost a wonderful soul last night. When I met Andrew Ashwood he was the program director for the radio station that I worked for. I have never known anyone who was more passionate about life. He had a little ADD, but that was part of his charm. Below is a letter that a co-worker wrote about this man...and it epitomizes everything he was.
A LETTER FROM HEAVEN
"I thought I heard this last night"
Yeeaaah Babe. Talk to me babe. Whaatcha doing? What's the matter? I knew you loved me, but come on, why the sad face? This is great. Had I known it was going to be like this, I would have let the cancer get me sooner. Here's what we're going to do. I need you to let it all out, and then we gotta get back to work. I got this new big promotion and I need you on my team. It's going to be Huuuuuge!! babe.
Ready for this? huh? Guess who "yours truly" met today? Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing?.... give up? Vince Lombardi....AND Tom Landry. You know the big C got both of them. They met me at the gate to see how I did it. They heard it took a heart attack for the big man to get the Gorilla. After some talk about the Ice Bowl over a few "adult beverages" Lombardi wants ME to help HIM with a motivational book. Go figure. And Landry is a hoot. Who knew? Hate to admit it, but the hole in the roof thing so God can watch his favorite team? True. Damn.
Turns out, you can only reach so many people in radio, and with the world the way it is, the big guy says he needs me. Says I can do a lot more good from up here.
It's going to be awhile before you get here, but when you do, talk to Peter at the gate. Great guy, We're tight. Tell him you know me. Better yet, I'll be waiting for you. But if I'm not, hit me on my cell. Oh, by the way, Jesus says the long hair and beard? Never goes out of style, so Ha Says I shouldn't have cut it and sold out to the man. Didn't think I knew him either? Yeah, we were real close when I was young. Lost touch for awhile, but he was around a lot helping me with the chemo the past few years and we got to know each other better. It's been just like old times. You should get to know him.
As for the new gig? I'm getting the playbook ready. We'll meet soon and discuss. My house, I got brats, cold beverages etc. It will be fun. The big man wants me to see If I can get more people to live like I did. Veeeery cool huh? I'm blushing. First step: Slow down. Business is business, but you gotta have some fun. Slow down enjoy each other. Laugh out loud at least 5 times a day. Relationships over the bottom line. Love each other. Remember when I used to get so moved about something, my bottom lip would quiver? Didn't want you to see me cry, but now I don't care. You shouldn't care either. Cry.
Then let's talk. I'll be waiting for you. In the meantime, do me a favor. Hug the Puerto Rican. She's going to need you for awhile. God, was I lucky to have her. Oh, sorry, God says there was no luck involved. Oops. Anyway, let her know we talked and that it's going to be O.K. She already knows the game plan, she knows how much we laughed and loved. So I'll be waiting. The brats are hot, the "adult beverages" are cold. And remember, DARE TO BE GREAT. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
YEEEAH, BABE.. LUV YOU BABE.
Andrew
Also, within the last couple of weeks, 7 year-old Sean Gontz went on to heaven as well. It is always heart-breaking for someone to pass on, but it is almost a betrayal when a parent out-lives their child. It goes against the natural order of life and is truly something that I wouldn't even wish on the most miserable soul in the world.
You will both be missed more than you know and I know that you are smiling down from heaven on all of us still here trying to find a way to move on yet still remember.
No comments:
Post a Comment