Always Missing One
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What a weekend! Over 500 friends and family came out to Wrigley Field on Saturday to support the Henry Schueler 41&9 Foundation. They braved the 90 degree temperatures and the winless for the week, Chicago Cubs. They spent the last weekend of their summer vacations, cut short football scrimmages, left their lake houses and paid hard earned money to join with Hank's family to remember him at a place he loved and dreamed to play in someday. We can never thank you all enough for your generosity and kindness in remembering Hank and supporting his wish to someday find out why this happened to him. An ambitious goal to be sure but every goal starts somewhere. Our goal goes through Wrigley.
And we were rewarded on Saturday with a bright warm sunshine, cold beer and drinks and great fellowship and fun. And that was before we even left our house! 5 buses left from the Schuelers early Saturday afternoon but not before we received in front of 200 plus witnesses, a check from the Chicago Fire Department's, Ignite the Spirit, charitable organization in the amount of $50,000! Rich Pinskey, Ignite's President, was on hand to celebrate this tremendous gift of charity. And before the buses pushed off, we unveiled the new sign to eventually hang at Wildwood Park for Hank Schueler Field. He will forever be remembered by our community and park visitors in a park he loved to play in.
Then it was off to the game where almost everyone who wanted to catch a baseball during batting practice did, and a few who did not, got hit by one. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be okay after the barrage. It was a great day in the bleachers with many curious bleacherites learning from our green shirted crowd about Hank and about the Foundation. Some were so touched that they gave $10's or $20's to the cause on the spot. Some even received a free round of beers! And we were joined by a 6th bus filled with football players and former teammates and friends of Hank's who left the Maroon and Gold scrimmage at Loyola Academy to don the green and white shirt honoring their friend.
The Cubs even did their part, jumping out to a 5-1 lead before making it close in the 9th. So on Hank's day at Wrigley the Cubs won their only game of the week and homestand, 5-4. 9 runs scored of course.
And Hank made his presence known in other ways as well. Before the game, I had laid out my green shirt on the bed while I showered. I got dressed leaving my shirt for last. As I went over to grab my shirt, there lay a shiny quarter on my bed next to my shirt. No one but Susan had been in the room and when I confronted her with the quarter she too was amazed as she had just made the bed before I exited the shower. To top it off, I had just finished 41 push ups in Hank's honor before I grabbed my shirt. (The 41 push ups in itself may also have been a miracle!)
Later that evening after the game I told that story to two of Hank's nurses from Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee who have attended all 3 of Hank's games. These women who have witnessed so much sadness and pain and work in an environment where even medical miracles come at an exacting cost to the children and families they treat, were not surprised by my story. In fact, one of them had a Hank moment earlier that day when she opened her money purse at Murphy's bleachers and lost her drivers license that was miraculously returned to her before days end. As she recounted her story she unzipped her purse to reinact the scene when a single quarter popped out of her purse onto the ground in front of all three of us. Perfect timing.
Which leads me to the next day. As I sat and read the Tribune sports page on Sunday morning, I read the various storylines on the Cubs game. A statistic caught my eye and I had to read it aloud to several family members just to make sure my eyes were not deceiving me. You can look it up. The paper listed the game attendance on August 21, 2010, Hank' Game, at 41,099. It should have read 41,100. Thanks for being there Hank.
The Memorable Memorial Day
We remember on this holiday those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And we give thanks and remember those who still serve in places far from home and often in harms way.
This weekend I would also like to remember some other special men and women who often work in dangerous areas and situations, the Chicago Fire Department. Their motto is "We're there when you need us". Never has this motto been more true than the last 12 days. On May 18, 12 bicycle riders and 5 support personnel left the Chicago Fire Academy on Taylor Street to ride around Lake Michigan, some 930 miles, to raise awareness of the scourge of pediatric cancer and to raise money for the Henry Schueler 41 & 9 Foundation. From the Academy they went south out of the city into Indiana and then north arriving in Stevensville, MI, 93.5 miles later. From Stevensville they went to Grand Haven, then Luddington and Traverse City. Then they were off to Alanson, Gulliver and Escanaba, MI before crossing over into Wisconsin and stopping in Marinette then Manitowoc, Port Washington, and Kenosha before safely arriving back at the Fire Academy on Saturday afternoon.
They left their jobs, their second jobs, their friends and families to brave the elements, the traffic and their own self doubts and limits. They rode with blisters, sunburn, soreness and semi's breathing down their neck for those who have died like Hank, and for survivors like Kayla, and the many other children who face cancer at an age when baseball and football and school and friends should be all that matters.
They struggled up long hills and against driving winds, in and around construction zones and detours with at least 2 of the riding days totalling over 100 miles in the saddle. And then they got up the next day and did it all over again. Why? Perhaps because they could and because they wanted to ride for those who may longer experience the warmth of the sun, cooling breezes, spectacular scenery and the camaraderie of friends and brothers. Only one of the riders ever met Hank and only 1 knew Susan and me. The leader of this group of selfless men and women, Rich Pinskey, made this arduous journey work having met Hank at a firehouse one day in December, 2006. He followed Hank's own journey from a distance and approached the Foundation over a year ago about his idea to ride bikes around the Lake. Why? Because he cared about Hank and all the other kids whose lives were cut short or forever altered because of cancer. And not only did Rich lead the procession and plan the routes and organize sponsors and support but his 23 year old son Tommy joined him for the duration of the ride.
I suspect that this ride will last in the memories of the riders and support personnel much longer than the soreness or sunburn. From some of the comments they shared with me, Hank's story of perseverance and strength carried them forward when they were tired and felt like they could not ride another mile. I am proud that Hank continues to inspire. I suspect that his spirit will remain with them as they go back to their daily lives and loved ones.
So thanks Rich and Jill, Kenny, Mark, Tommy, Ed and Jeff for driving, cooking, and getting the riders ready everyday. And thanks Jim, April, Phil, Hessel, Rich, Jason, Gale, Mark, Brian, Pat, Bob and Tony for riding for Hank and Kayla and all the other kids who face cancer.
And how's this for a fun coincidence. As the riders pulled into the Fire Academy on Saturday, several of the riders had small odometers attached to their bikes to measure mileage. I saw one rider stop briefly and look at his odometer before pulling back out of the lot for a quick ride around the block. He called me over to take a picture-941 miles. Hank is proud.
~ Supporters ~
Project Play Books
Marlene Byrne author of the children’s book, “Just a Baseball Game” has included Hank is a character in the story. The book is available online at ProjectPlayBooks.com or at local bookstores. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Foundation.
Legacy Bakehouse
Mike and Roy Heyer and their company, Legacy Bakehouse have included the 41&9 Foundaton on their Mix n” More Snack Mix. A portion of sale proceeds go the Foundation. Look for it in your grocery store!
Hank’s Field
In 2009, Wildwood Park dedicated a baseball field in Hank’s honor. More….