"Come on Dad, this is stupid. You're going to fall into the Bar-B-Q

~Mox, Varsity Blues

So I threw a going away party for Ernie. It was great. A lot of people showed up. It was the strangest mix of people. People from work...people from the hotel...people from Doggie Daycare. Everyone was there. A reporter showed up and a photographer. And get this...we made the local news. How awesome is that!!!

If you look up http://www.nwanews.com/dailyrecord/story_searchresults.phpstoryid=8490&storydb=BCDRstories2004

If that doesn't work just go on nwanews.com and search for "Ernie Dulay"

What made the night was that the kid showed up at the party. I was pleasantly surprised because I thought he had a softball game that night and couldn't come. He did have a game but he dropped by for a few minutes. I on the other hand decided to go to see his game. Very ballsy of me. Keri had to give me words of encouragement. I felt so stupid sitting there in the stands just like the stalker I am. But I did it because it was my last night here and I said "What the hell."

After the game we talked for a very long time...after midnight I believe. It was nice to have a decent conversation with someone for once. And I learned a lot about him. He has one of those "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" stories...the story that makes you cry within 5 minutes of the show. He is so appreciative of everything he has and he is such a nice person. All I can say is...why didn't I do this earlier???? Why didn't I talk to him when there was time??? As Keri would say, "Hind sight is always 20/20". But then again, I can not compete with Jesus. He is very much a Christian and is very involved with the church and what not...something that I haven't had the calling for. I mean, I make of people for being "Team Jesus". But I guess the life he grew up with, having Faith has helped him deal with his struggles. So I can't fault him for it...at least he's not crack addict or anything.

Well, it's late and I'm tired...and I'm suppose to drive back to Dallas tomorrow. Until then...Arkansas has been a very pleasant surprise and I'm so glad I came here and I'm awfully sad to leave.

Peace out to the Ozarks!