That's what Friends are for!
/Every year, my brothers from the Marist College aka Shady Acres Class of '82 and I get together for beach time, golf, and some shenanigans. All we do is laugh and make fun of each other, and by the end of the three days, our ribs and jaws hurt from all the love and laughter we share. The stories continue to be embellished, and we always seem to score more points, tackles, or touchdowns as the years pass.
Tom Cooney, our event coordinator; Vince Ambroselli, our DJ; Rick Baretta, our cooler man; Roger Coleman and Jerry McElduff, our wine distributors; John Levy, who only brings his surfboard and dessert; and Tony Luisi and myself, who double as the chefs, make up our group.
These men are all terrific individuals who have made their mark in their communities, whether it is through their church groups, coaching youth programs, fundraising for various events, or just being great husbands and fathers.
All of us would do anything for each other, and they have. Each and every one of these men has helped Mary Jo, Caitlin, and me through the toughest challenge we have ever faced. From a friendly text or call, a heartfelt email, to their generous donations to Gordon’s Mental Agility Foundation, their support has been unwavering.
I am not sure how I would survive without their love and support.
I still have many friends that I talk to and see from high school, work, and my coaching tree. Because I have coached so many kids over the years, my friend network gets bigger and bigger, and for that, I am blessed. It’s a strange dynamic when you go from Coach to Lou when the kids I coached, coached with, or coached against become lifelong friends. Their parents have become friends, and I am very close to many of them in my over 40 years of coaching.
It is so nice to be invited to a wedding or see baby pictures or pictures of their new house.
Several years ago, my good friend and coaching buddy, Paul Wendlant, passed away. His son Christian (who played for me, was the all-time leading scorer at our school, and is now coaching in Colorado) called me a month before he discovered he had cancer. Christian asked if I knew any doctors who could help him get out of the hospital. Mind you, this was during the pandemic, and they did not know what Paul had. We were able to get him transferred to another hospital, and that’s when they discovered his illness.
The ironic part of this tragedy is a week before Christian called, I was driving in my truck and I thought, "I have to call Paul as I had not spoken with him in a while." Well, time passed as I was driving, and something else came up, and I forgot to call. Boy, do I regret that decision.
At Paul’s memorial service, Christian asked me to say a few words and repeated this story. If someone comes into your mind, “Make the call.” I have lived by this since Paul left us, and anytime I think of someone I love and care for, I call them. Everyone reading this blog should do the same: “Make the call.”
It is so important to make the human connection with everyone we come in contact with. Social media helps, texts, phone calls, and in-person interactions are extremely helpful to each and every one of us, especially with the ones we are close to.
Gordon, though challenged with anxiety, panic attacks, and severe depression, tried his best every day to make a difference in people's lives, and that’s why we all continue to keep his memory and legacy alive through his website and foundation.
Love to all of you, and “Take care of your crew” and also “Make the call.”
Please consider a donation to The Gordon Corsetti Mental Agility Foundation.
