Coming together to honor Coach Cary
After blowing hard all day, the wind died down in what felt like an act of Godly respect as more than 300 “family members” came together on the grass just north of the Seal Beach Pier on Friday evening, April 19, for a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life of Cary Smith.
If there was one thing that became obvious as people gathered, it’s that the roots of the mighty oak tree that was Cary Smith run deep in the community where he grew up.
Members of Cary’s various “tribes”—family members, lacrosse players and their families, surfing and dirt bike buddies, Chico State college alums, neighbors and childhood friends—gathered in an act of healing punctuated by several people who spoke about Cary, in an evening that was oftentimes punctuated by grief, love, laughter and tears.
Cary’s dad, Kevin, closed the vigil, speaking eloquently and as only a father could.
“Throughout this week, we have learned a lot from all the stories we’ve heard about Cary. And there are certain themes that keep popping up in those stories about the kind of person Cary was. Loyalty. Passion. And honor. Even though Cary is no longer with us, if we live our lives by applying those values Cary lived his life by, then in some ways, he will live with us forever.”
Amen, Mr Smith. Amen.
Coach Ben Barchey’s varsity team takes the field on Saturday morning to get back to the business of playing lacrosse with a game against St. Francis at 11 a.m.
Although Cary won’t be bouncing on the sidelines during the game, there is little doubt that he will be there in spirit to help guide the team in what promises to be an emotional day for everyone.
Hang in there, boys. It takes time, but it does get better.
And you can help that healing process along by doing one thing today.
Win.
Bret Colson, a parent who currently has a son on the varsity lacrosse team
Garden Grove
Re: The Prologis Project
Who does the Cypress City Council think they are fooling?
A company like Prologis doesn’t go through the time and expense of planning a project such as this and paying for an EIR unless it has assurance it will be approved. Wait and see—this is a done deal.
Erwin Anisman
Rossmoor
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