As many of you know my mother had a massive stroke on Jan. 27th. She fought hard (which anyone that knew her would expect nothing less) but we lost her on Feb. 2. The stress has been almost unbearable and emotions high the last week and a half with the decisions we've had to make and i'm just now slowing down enough in the last few days to see just how much support there has been and with this i would like to thank some people. First of all i know that i would never have made it this far in this situation without Stacy, she has been by my side the whole time supporting me. Sometimes without even having to say a word. Then there are all the kind words that have been posted on this site some by people i don't even know. For the people i've been on the phone with whether it be them calling me or the other way around just listening to me ramble incoherently you'll never know how much it helped. Next would be the incredible people i've surrounded myself with at Team Xtreme. They have been out of this world between making sure sign ups were done, getting Jared to and from practice and fed to actually talking of pulling our team so that they could all be at the funeral, then coming up with a plan of 1 coach volunteering to go to the tourny (thanks Danny B.) and the rest coming in support, which just blew me away seeing coaches and wrestlers there. I have never been prouder to be a part of a group of people then these. Then the coaches from other clubs I don't know all of them yet but will find out at practice this week and make some phone calls but the ones i know of right now i owe dinner to (Jeff Smith and Derby coaches Dave Langley and Newton and the people of the Maize club who said don't worry we will all help with your kids) you guys are amazing. Then at the service to see flowers/plants from people from all the different clubs and families (please don't be offended if i leave some out as i don't have the entire list yet) like Newton wrestling, valley c. and coach s. the Kasitz, the delforges, rangles, and families from our own club, for that i say thank you.
I am humbled, grateful and honored to be a part of the wrestling community.
Thank You all,
Jerry Dale