New Orleans, Louisiana
February 25 – 28 , 1999
To all my friends both new and old:
It’s a very special moment when one can join a group of strangers and friends and emerge looking as far down the road as six months or more until the next time the same (and maybe more) can meet for a great time. Gulf Games is developing into one of those unique enclaves where family values, good fun, respect, decency, and hosing all reside to make my life just that much more bearable in my return the the “real” world in which I live. Isn’t it sad that the rest of the “world” refuses to hold the same virtues and values we, as Gulf Games, cherish so much? Except the hosing, of course!
As a personal note, I valued more than just games at this event. The privilege of having children and young adults participating along with the adults that have raised them is a very special relationship which, in my opinion, is a showcase event for any gathering. They play as equals in most events and that is a tribute to the parents’ attention, love, and dedication to these children which should be duly noted and heralded. Where else can a little girl who hasn’t yet lost all of her “baby” teeth trounce a room full of adults in a game of Take It Easy? (By the way, I have contracted with Emma to take lessons at an unspecified fee. Applications will be forwarded soon.) To Ariel, Emma, Frans, Jean Pierre, Lindsay, and Zane: Thank you for enjoying Gulf Games and making it a wonderful experience for all of us “old folks” too by your exemplary behavior. I have never been around such a well behaved, fun loving group of kids like you in a long time. Keep it up, Kids!
I intended to do a report for the previous Florida Gulf Games and words just could not express some of those things I just mentioned above. They are not coming any easier now. And the difficulty is not in finding words to use but qualifying the words with the depth and relativity to the group of people which just separated company. Sure some are still within arms reach. But most have made their way back to their own little worlds. I guess it’s so hard to put words on cyber-paper because our everyday worlds fall far short of the past 3 or 4 days. And some things are better left unsaid. Not because they shouldn’t be said . . . they just might not be able to be said adequately enough by mere words.
I won’t mention names because everyone knows by the term “workaholic” who I am referring to. And certain individuals are the backbone of any organization, spouse inclusive. And if it weren’t for these certain people, certain special events in all of our lives would not be as possible as they are now. Whether it’s organizing, cleaning, creating, supporting, this weekend was made that much more special by your efforts. And you all know who you are. We “others” play a valuable part, mind you, but following your lead makes it that much easier to contribute.
October seems like an eternity away now. But doesn’t Destin seem that much more like heaven on earth based on the information above? It does to me. Can’t wait.