Nice tribute to DG
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A Family Legacy
There is no better tribute to a man than the legacy he leaves behind.
So many of us have our own personal memories of Dave that we will share over the weeks, months and years to come and many of mine are woven into the fabric of the Virginia State Frisbee Tournament. They are dominated by his devotion to and love of family.
I will never be able to think of Dave without thinking about Jen and Lauren because they never existed separately. When Lauren was playing, Big Daddy was there. When Jen was winning, he was there. When Dave was playing the girls were there. That did not happen because of any theoretical concept of family or any belief that this is what families do. They came, and they played and they encouraged and they enjoyed together because none of them wanted it any other way. You could see it in the way Jen reacted when she won. The truly special moments were the silent ones as they embraced and shared the pride of accomplishment as a family. I could see it in Lauren who every April would be by her Daddy's side.
Dave's love for the Virginia State Frisbee tournament was a natural extension of the man. We are, above all else, a family and it is no wonder that this man whose life was so dominated by family, would nurture and thrive in ours.
April will come and it will never be the same at Shelter H.
So many of us have our own personal memories of Dave that we will share over the weeks, months and years to come and many of mine are woven into the fabric of the Virginia State Frisbee Tournament. They are dominated by his devotion to and love of family.
I will never be able to think of Dave without thinking about Jen and Lauren because they never existed separately. When Lauren was playing, Big Daddy was there. When Jen was winning, he was there. When Dave was playing the girls were there. That did not happen because of any theoretical concept of family or any belief that this is what families do. They came, and they played and they encouraged and they enjoyed together because none of them wanted it any other way. You could see it in the way Jen reacted when she won. The truly special moments were the silent ones as they embraced and shared the pride of accomplishment as a family. I could see it in Lauren who every April would be by her Daddy's side.
Dave's love for the Virginia State Frisbee tournament was a natural extension of the man. We are, above all else, a family and it is no wonder that this man whose life was so dominated by family, would nurture and thrive in ours.
April will come and it will never be the same at Shelter H.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
MY DADDY!
Hello Everyone!
I would like to first thank everyone for your love and support during this difficult time. I feel a true sense of peace listening to and hearing all of the stories that have been shared about my father. This exchange has helped my family cope with this incredible loss.
Secondly I would like to let everyone know that I am working on all of the details for the Celebration of Family and Life for my Daddy! I will be sending out an email to a few of you, in hopes that you can assist me in getting the word out to the Frisbee Family. Here is a brief overview of the email that will be sent:
Dave Griffin’s Celebration of Family and Life will be held at St. Timothy’s Methodist Church in Mandeville, LA on Saturday, January 17th 2009 at 11:00am. For those arriving early or for individuals that would like to share thoughts or stories about Daddy, there will be a Pre-service at 10:30am so that you can be given the necessary information about the agenda and ceremony. There will also be a reception and lunch to follow the service. If you need hotel accommodations, we have reserved a block of rooms at The Holiday Inn in Covington, LA. Please mention that you are attending Dave Griffin’s Memorial Service for the discounted rate of $109 per night. The final day to secure this rate is Sunday January 11th. I am also making arrangements at another hotel so that information will be coming soon.
Thanks again, and I will be in touch will all of you soon with other updates. I am looking forward to seeing you in the next week. Your presence and support is truly appreciated.
St. Timothy’s Methodist Church
335 Asbury Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
985-626-3307
Holiday Inn Suites
501 North Hwy 190
Covington, LA 70433
985-893-3580
I would like to first thank everyone for your love and support during this difficult time. I feel a true sense of peace listening to and hearing all of the stories that have been shared about my father. This exchange has helped my family cope with this incredible loss.
Secondly I would like to let everyone know that I am working on all of the details for the Celebration of Family and Life for my Daddy! I will be sending out an email to a few of you, in hopes that you can assist me in getting the word out to the Frisbee Family. Here is a brief overview of the email that will be sent:
Dave Griffin’s Celebration of Family and Life will be held at St. Timothy’s Methodist Church in Mandeville, LA on Saturday, January 17th 2009 at 11:00am. For those arriving early or for individuals that would like to share thoughts or stories about Daddy, there will be a Pre-service at 10:30am so that you can be given the necessary information about the agenda and ceremony. There will also be a reception and lunch to follow the service. If you need hotel accommodations, we have reserved a block of rooms at The Holiday Inn in Covington, LA. Please mention that you are attending Dave Griffin’s Memorial Service for the discounted rate of $109 per night. The final day to secure this rate is Sunday January 11th. I am also making arrangements at another hotel so that information will be coming soon.
Thanks again, and I will be in touch will all of you soon with other updates. I am looking forward to seeing you in the next week. Your presence and support is truly appreciated.
St. Timothy’s Methodist Church
335 Asbury Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
985-626-3307
Holiday Inn Suites
501 North Hwy 190
Covington, LA 70433
985-893-3580
Back in the Day with Dave
I met Dave when I was 13 or 14 in the Virginia overall disc scene. Big Daddy, PDGA #1414, was one of the hot-shit golfers and distance throwers around the state and East Coast. I was riding with Dave the weekend he qualified for his first World Frisbee Championship (would have been '80 or '81) after a North American Series meet in Rochester, NY. (Could have been Amherst, MA, though -- can't quite remember.) I just remember Dave letting me ride back to Virginia with him and him having to put me up for a night in Northern Virginia before sticking me on a Greyhound back to Richmond the next morning. He was excited about going to the Rose Bowl and proudly exclaimed to Jen, who was just a diaper-wearing tot in a play pen, "Daddy's going to the Frisbee Bowl, Jenny!"
I looked up to Dave -- he was an older, strong guy who was a great thrower and an intense competitor. When I was a kid, I was a big Nick Nolte fan, and Dave Griffin had all of that same swagger and confidence that I thought was so friggin' cool.
As I sought to break into the upper ranks of our disc scene, I began to regard Dave as a pretty staunch competitor. Dave was constantly trying to refine his throwing technique and his mechanics. In 1984, I was at the PDGA Worlds in Rochester -- by then I was 16, 17 -- and I was out alone on the course between rounds. Dave came trotting along -- he was powering through the holes -- and we played together. He was on fire with this new approach to his tee shots -- he was just going to step up and throw. "You gotta get the mind out of the way," he kept saying. He was in the middle of this big discovery and just consumed with the new idea. Those little things about Dave have always stuck with me -- I identify with that guy who has such a big heart that he feels everything so deeply and strongly. He wasn't satisfied with anything but his best -- again, something I find true in my own disc-throwing career. I am cast in that same mold that Randy mentioned -- Dave could be his own worst critic if he didn't execute to his potential.
And in 1991, when Dave was in the strong running to win the Virginia States overall title, he approached my brother and me about teaming up for freestyle. It was really an honor and a pleasure to play with him because he was so happy during that routine. I look back on it now, and I can just remember how he had a spring about him. This thing he had worked for so hard was coming true. It means a lot to me now that I was able to share a piece of that journey with Dave.
As Randy says, he was a proud champion. I never remember Dave being cocky or totally ego-fueled, but he was a happy, joyful winner when he wore the crown. No apologies, no regrets. I love that. And that same happiness was something that seemed to float around him simply when he was with his daughters at States, just hanging out. We've got the pictures to prove it. Jen, Lauren, Cindy, all of us -- we're gonna miss our Big Daddy in person, but his spirit will always be there to prop us up. We've got an angel on our shoulders. Never forget it. Keep him flying with us, always. We love you, Dave.
I looked up to Dave -- he was an older, strong guy who was a great thrower and an intense competitor. When I was a kid, I was a big Nick Nolte fan, and Dave Griffin had all of that same swagger and confidence that I thought was so friggin' cool.
As I sought to break into the upper ranks of our disc scene, I began to regard Dave as a pretty staunch competitor. Dave was constantly trying to refine his throwing technique and his mechanics. In 1984, I was at the PDGA Worlds in Rochester -- by then I was 16, 17 -- and I was out alone on the course between rounds. Dave came trotting along -- he was powering through the holes -- and we played together. He was on fire with this new approach to his tee shots -- he was just going to step up and throw. "You gotta get the mind out of the way," he kept saying. He was in the middle of this big discovery and just consumed with the new idea. Those little things about Dave have always stuck with me -- I identify with that guy who has such a big heart that he feels everything so deeply and strongly. He wasn't satisfied with anything but his best -- again, something I find true in my own disc-throwing career. I am cast in that same mold that Randy mentioned -- Dave could be his own worst critic if he didn't execute to his potential.
And in 1991, when Dave was in the strong running to win the Virginia States overall title, he approached my brother and me about teaming up for freestyle. It was really an honor and a pleasure to play with him because he was so happy during that routine. I look back on it now, and I can just remember how he had a spring about him. This thing he had worked for so hard was coming true. It means a lot to me now that I was able to share a piece of that journey with Dave.
As Randy says, he was a proud champion. I never remember Dave being cocky or totally ego-fueled, but he was a happy, joyful winner when he wore the crown. No apologies, no regrets. I love that. And that same happiness was something that seemed to float around him simply when he was with his daughters at States, just hanging out. We've got the pictures to prove it. Jen, Lauren, Cindy, all of us -- we're gonna miss our Big Daddy in person, but his spirit will always be there to prop us up. We've got an angel on our shoulders. Never forget it. Keep him flying with us, always. We love you, Dave.
Daddy's 1st visit to the Woodshed...
One year in January (1996 or 1997)I convinced Daddy to go with me to the Ice Bowl that Dave Steger was holding in Paw Paw (this was also Daddy's first visit to the Woodshed). The whole day was a comedy of errors. It was slightly above freezing that day so coming in was a little slushy, yet nothing to worry about.
Apparently, I drive way too fast on Detour Road coming into the woodshed or at least that is what Daddy said. He was so nervous that I was going to drive off that mountain road...I'm sure there are still fingernail marks on the "oh jesus bar" of my Honda Civic. Every time I would take an right hairpin turn, Daddy's weight in the passenger seat, caused the tire to rub in the inside of the wheel well and Daddy would punch me in the arm and tell me to slow down! He punches really hard! I was laughing so hard I was crying trying to look for the next right turn to scare him agian! To this day I thank God I'm left handed, because my right arm was jelly when we arrived.
Shortly after arriving the temps started to drop and everything froze up, the round was just silly. Discs would not stay where they landed and Daddy was getting quite frustrated. On hole 12 his approach kept sliding down the hill and didn't stop until it cam to rest in the swale next to 17's tee. We were using 4 discs to sled on...one under each hand and one under each knee, this would allow us to side across the crust at lightning speed! Except Daddy, his weight would cause the discs to crack through the crust and he would just sit there, again getting frustrated by all the fun we were having slipping around...poor Daddy he doesn't get to have any fun! Dave Steger also lost his car keys somewhere on hole 13's sledding run (to this day those keys haven't shown up) and Spencer had to hot wire Daves car so he could get home, not sure whether he had to use a fork to start his car, as that is how I had to start my truck for a while after Spence hot wired that one!
Needless to say that Daddy was not too impressed with the Woodshed after all that fun.
Then it came time to leave, remember that the temps dropped, and there is a major hill on the gravel road (Gaither Road) leaving the woodshed and not one of us had four wheel drive except Spence. We all had ended up at the bottom of that hill unable to leave. Spencer had to come and tow us up the hill indiviually. So, then it was mine and Daddy's turn to get towed up the hill...Spence got us about a 1/4 of the way up and we started slipping backward, I yelled at Daddy to get out to lighten the load, as soon as he popped out of the car Spencer's truck got a grip and we went to the top of the hill...um, without Daddy. Due to the ice Daddy had to walk the hill and HE could not grip to climb the hill! He had to crawl up the hill on his hands and knees in order to grip the ice.
Big Daddy swore he was NEVER coming back to this frozen wasteland in the middle of nowhere!
I still laugh about this when I think of it....I don't think Daddy ever did.
And yes he did go back to Paw paw eventually, just rest assured, it was not winter time.
We'll always love you Daddy.
Apparently, I drive way too fast on Detour Road coming into the woodshed or at least that is what Daddy said. He was so nervous that I was going to drive off that mountain road...I'm sure there are still fingernail marks on the "oh jesus bar" of my Honda Civic. Every time I would take an right hairpin turn, Daddy's weight in the passenger seat, caused the tire to rub in the inside of the wheel well and Daddy would punch me in the arm and tell me to slow down! He punches really hard! I was laughing so hard I was crying trying to look for the next right turn to scare him agian! To this day I thank God I'm left handed, because my right arm was jelly when we arrived.
Shortly after arriving the temps started to drop and everything froze up, the round was just silly. Discs would not stay where they landed and Daddy was getting quite frustrated. On hole 12 his approach kept sliding down the hill and didn't stop until it cam to rest in the swale next to 17's tee. We were using 4 discs to sled on...one under each hand and one under each knee, this would allow us to side across the crust at lightning speed! Except Daddy, his weight would cause the discs to crack through the crust and he would just sit there, again getting frustrated by all the fun we were having slipping around...poor Daddy he doesn't get to have any fun! Dave Steger also lost his car keys somewhere on hole 13's sledding run (to this day those keys haven't shown up) and Spencer had to hot wire Daves car so he could get home, not sure whether he had to use a fork to start his car, as that is how I had to start my truck for a while after Spence hot wired that one!
Needless to say that Daddy was not too impressed with the Woodshed after all that fun.
Then it came time to leave, remember that the temps dropped, and there is a major hill on the gravel road (Gaither Road) leaving the woodshed and not one of us had four wheel drive except Spence. We all had ended up at the bottom of that hill unable to leave. Spencer had to come and tow us up the hill indiviually. So, then it was mine and Daddy's turn to get towed up the hill...Spence got us about a 1/4 of the way up and we started slipping backward, I yelled at Daddy to get out to lighten the load, as soon as he popped out of the car Spencer's truck got a grip and we went to the top of the hill...um, without Daddy. Due to the ice Daddy had to walk the hill and HE could not grip to climb the hill! He had to crawl up the hill on his hands and knees in order to grip the ice.
Big Daddy swore he was NEVER coming back to this frozen wasteland in the middle of nowhere!
I still laugh about this when I think of it....I don't think Daddy ever did.
And yes he did go back to Paw paw eventually, just rest assured, it was not winter time.
We'll always love you Daddy.
Do not stand at Shelter H and weep!
Just a little something that I have been working on and would like everyone to add a stanza or two...becuase we all need to do a little healing....
Do not stand at Shelter H and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand Discs that Fly.
I am in the Stands watching my beloved Os.
I am the ambiance that is at Lazlo’s
I am throwing a ball to my Humphrey Flyer
I am the gentle nay Heavy rain that falls at Virginia States
Do not stand at Shelter H and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.
When you wake in the morning to play that first round, or throw far and high
I am the swift, uplifting wind that will make that disc fly
Of counter or clock in a Frisbees freestylers circling flight
I am the soft Ice Cream at Carl’s in which we delight
I am with you at the Parthenon having pizza and beer
I am the breeze that makes the MTA seconds appear
For I live on in your head and hearts there is no need to despair
Do not stand at the Woodshed and weep.I am not there, I do not sleep.
Of Calvert, Burke Lake, Pratt and Paw Paw…I am and the WAP WAP of the plastic against bark
I am the light in the wee hours of the dawn…… go ahead throw one more!
Slick that disc and set up the courts…I am there..Weep no more!
Pryor and Daddy are waiting for us to play in the biggest tournament of all
So play to win and make sure that fun is had by all!
Do not stand at my Shelter and cry.I am not there, I did not die!
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