This is a small section from a long memoir I had written. A personal reflection of those past few days... "

The heat was high and humidity was about the same as we all stepped out onto the field very lethargically without the momentum and fire that was once concealed in our hearts. Our practice was interrupted at mid stride when Ms. Keegan, the assistant supervisor of sports, had asked for or undivided attention. I don't remember what was said but I do remember a little passage about unity and how Herricks is known for it. A situation such as this is what makes our unity strengthen and I felt a growing inspiration that started to develop in me. I could also recall my tears down my cheeks and many of our strongest players breakdown and cry yet my own glistening tears still was not enough to compensate for such an overwhelming loss.

I started to ease myself during practice and I figured that all the hitting had shot away the frustration and it really did. The once murky waters had cleared as the silt settled to the bottom and the once hazy skies cleared up as the clouds parted and the heat dropped. My once foggy thoughts unraveled and so I picked up my pen and started to write. I didn't have much plans on where my hands would take me but I do know that if I ever had the chance to write a letter to him and he was able to read it, it would write…

Dear Tom,
What's goin on Tece? Do you remember all those days when I was at Denton and we'd meet up with each other and you'd start playing ball with me and a couple other guy? And during My Fair Lady when you were a part of set crew and I was the bartender? When I wrote "Kiss The Bartender" across my apron and you pretended to make out with me backstage and I nearly crushed the extra scenery? Well, I just want you to know that I enjoyed every one of those days and there's nothing that I wouldn't do to have anymore of those days. To be pitching and see you off to the side performing pop up wheelies on my heavy mountain bike or making fun of my pitching to mess me up or even when you used to ride my friends bikes into the outfield and used them as targets or when you were the umpire or even in school when I'd just see you in the hallways and you'd punch my arm in a playful tone and say "sup Fu". I just want you to know that you were one of the best friends I made up in the high school. Ou'd probably ask why when we barely spent enough time with each other and I'll just answer, because you were nice and funny and one of a very few upper classmen that showed me respect for who I was as a character and not by reputation of being "The Big Guy" or "Richie Fu's little brother" As a matter of fact, you even knew me before you met my brother in health class. One night during dress rehearsal, you asked me if I had a brother that looked exactly like myself. I heard about that project you and Richie made and I was laughing hysterically. You know, the laser-guided condiments. When I met your brother over the summer, I thought of him as a substitute for you cause I didn't see you so often and I saw how you two were so a like in both looks and personality. He even gave me a nickname: Bad Andy. When I heard about the accident and them declaring you deceased, I wished that I had been there for you in the hospital. I wish that I was just there so I could see you again even though that would never be the face and condition I would remember. I miss you a lot and there is not a day that I would ever take back. I have too much to say and I can never get it all out; I could never say much when you were around. You used to always start our conversations no matter how short they were. I'll always imagine you playing both the catcher and the umpire we never had and I'll always imagine you doing tricks on my bike as I pitch. I keep asking myself why and though I grieve, I feel that you have not gone to a better or worse place but merely moved on to your next life. But I still wonder whether heaven and hell really exists and if there is, I know you'll be up there looking down and I'll hopefully see you again. But until then, Peace out man… I'll see you when I get there.

Yours Truly, (Bad Andy) Fu Those would be the words I would give him and in writing this, I thought of what my brother had told me earlier that morning that even though he's gone, donating his organs would save the lives of maybe four or five people. But honestly, I would not accept the lives of four or five strangers in trade for one Tom Ehrhart and being that those are my closing words, I still wonder when it is that I will finally shed more than a few tears.

Grievances When someone close to you leaves your side
The clouds begin to rise and blind
Your one true pessimistic side of mind
Takes flight as optimists subside.
Grievances we call it
It always gets us down
The clouds that form around us
Break silence yet tear up sound
And the eternal forces of nature
The links of life all around
They seem to bring us together
To cut grieves that we are bound.
Never let them cross our minds
And let loved thoughts roam far away
To see the memories of our lost ones
Cross the silence of the bay
And let these people be heard
Don't let their dreams be lost and gone
For letting go of grievances
Is the way that they'll live on.

I love you man and I'll catch ya lataz

~ Andy Fu