Page 1 of 1
On the 4th anniversary of my dad's passing....
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:27 pm
by ZiggyZoomba
My dad, Howard Cummings, the inspiration for this site, died on 4/27/2001.
Here, on this 4th anniversary of is passing, is a letter to the editor he wrote to the BG Sentinel Tribune on 10/23/2000... Thankfully, student attendance has really been on the upswing these past few years... I only wish dad could see this team and this program today!
And Mark (Rightupinthere), my thoughts are with you this day as well, my brother...
BGHoward wrote:
I am asking the following favor of most of those who consider themselves students at Bowling Green State University:
When you go back home, when you are with old friends, when you fill out a job application, when your Maiden Aunt Tillie asks you what you are doing these days; please say only that you are "taking classes at Bowling Green". DO NOT SAY "I GO TO BOWLING GREEN"! You do not , in fact, "go to Bowling Green" because that implies involvement in the college experience as a whole. "Going to Bowling Green" includes, among many other things, attending football games and supporting your school by that attendance!
The hordes of empty seats at the three home football games this season speak volumes about student apathy and lack of involvement. There is much more to a college education than simply going to classes and earning a degree.
A college education includes supporting institutional goals, and it includes learning that simply because something is not totally successful, does not mean it is unworthy of support! Your lack of support hurts your team, your school, and most important of all, it harms you, the student, most of all. You are depriving yourselves of the fun, excitement, and diversity of the full college experience.
So, please, don't present yourselves as students who "Go to Bowling Green". Be honest, say that you "Take classes at Bowling Green".
Of course you could always head on out to The Doyt the first two Saturdays in November and cheer yourselves silly supporting your team win or lose. Then you could honestly answer good old Aunt Tillie at Thanksgiving: "I'm going to Bowling Green, and I'm really learning a lot!"
Howard D. Cummings
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:41 pm
by always a falcon
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He left behind a pretty darn good legacy who runs a kick ass web site.
Re: On the 4th anniversary of my dad's passing....
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 1:16 am
by Metz
ZiggyZoomba wrote:I only wish dad could see this team and this program today!
I'm sure he is still watching Grant and I'm sure he's proud of everything you have done for him and BG! That was article, too. I really wish more students would get the chance to see that.
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:14 am
by Rightupinthere
My thoughts are with you and your family as well, Grant.
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:37 am
by golfertk14
My prayers go out to you Grant, if he were here to see you, your site, and the Falcons teams he'd be very, very proud. :-\
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:56 am
by ZiggyZoomba
Thanks everyone...
If any of you are interested, I posted the eulogy I delivered at my dad's funeral on my blog today...
http://www.pepperguy.com
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:00 am
by MiamiBando
That has to be one of the best things I have ever read. As bad as that may sound, that is touching, in EVERY SENSE of the word. Thank you, and thanks to your father. (I don't even go to BGSU!) Everyone needs someone like him, and not everyone has that person. It seems his legacy lives on!
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:32 pm
by kdog27
I wrote a letter to the editor once about poor attendance, it was not half as good as that one.
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:24 pm
by It's the Journey...
That was amazing. I am sure cancer has touched us all in one way or another. If any of you were at the Men's Chorus concert on the 22nd of April this will be familiar. The group did a piece based on this text and I think it is apporpriate to post here. This is for all those we have lost or currently loosing, God Speed.
TOUCHING SHOULDERS
There's a comforting thought at the close of the day,
When I'm wary and lonely and sad,
That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart
And bids it be merry and glad.
It gets in my soul and drives out the blues,
And finally thrills through and through.
It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain:
"I'm glad I touched shoulders with you!"
Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong?
Did you know there was some leaning hard?
Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed,
And was cheered by your simplest word?
Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face,
For the sound of your voice ringing true?
Did you know I grew stronger and better because
I had merely touched shoulders with you?
I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive
For the place that I know I must fill;
I'm thankful for sorrows, I'll meet with a grin
What fortune may send, good or ill.
I may not have wealth, I may not be great,
But I know I shall always be true,
For I have in my live that courage you gave
When once I rubbed shoulders with you.
-- Unknown