Thomas Beason Wilkes, Jr.

April 11, 1950 – October 24, 2007

I wanted to pay tribute to my father today, on the anniversary of his passing.  Here are some of my favorite pictures - most I found from the internet, (that's why the sizes are all different).  Also, there are some quotes of what others thought of him.  In times like these, it's difficult to write or even access exactly what you feel, but I think the people below described him well.  Just the number of results you get when you "google" him shows what a mark he left, but it doesn't even begin to show his mark in our hearts.  We miss him more than words can say and look forward to reuniting with him in Heaven.  

I love this smile - his heart was SO in this project.  His vision was extraordinary!

"The Mayor"

I can tell you from experience, he was TRULY happy on that bike.  I wonder where he was going  :)  I love that I can see his face in the mirror.

"...He was infectious, endearing, humble, disarming, loyal, honorable, patient, comforting, a peacemaker but above all, so well loved by all, and genuinely loved, like one loves their own brother or sister. Beason was a best friend, an adoring and devoted husband, a loving father and a passionate grandfather. He was everything one could aspire to be in life. He was a true class act. As Beason battled his illness, he exemplified the words of Joshua 1:7 – facing every trial with the utmost strength and courage, never afraid or dismayed, knowing always that the Lord our God was with him in whatever challenge he met. This assurance gave him the fortitude to persevere with a joy and a peace that still surpasses all understanding...." ~ Wharfal.com

"Orange Beach City Administrator Jeff Moon, who first met  Wilkes during his days at Meyer Real Estate and later worked with him on The Wharf, said, “The thing I can say about Beason is the man always lived up to his word. If Beason Wilkes told you something was going to happen, it was going to happen.”

"Then, in October, as he [Ernie Smith] sat in the memorial service for his friend and neighbor Beason Wilkes and heard the pastor recall Wilkes’ affection for canines, Smith said he decided to build a dog park." (...which BG christened upon the "opening ceremonies" :)  ) ~ Baldwin Report

Home is...

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
~Robert Montgomery

...An Alabama Football game

Baked french toast with so much powdered sugar you sneeze after each bite :)

Popcorn and tea on the ottoman with some Blue's Clues, while wearing a jersey, to end your day.

A bible study first thing in the morning.

The anticipation of "wet food" for a "sick dog"...can you see how excited he is?

Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other.  It is the place of confidence.  It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts.  It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule.

  ~Frederick W. Robertson

Homecoming!

Wow - I can't believe I am just now posting these!  We had a GREAT game weekend here in Alabama.  I think it's appropriate that our first game weekend back was "Homecoming", and we soaked it up like it was our first visit back since graduation!  We went on Friday night to the bonfire and checked out the homecoming decorations after a dinner with "Uncle Wood" and Rach.  Then we tailgated and walked the campus on Saturday before heading to Bryant Denny to cheer on the tide to a victory over South Carolina.  What a weekend!  Welcome home!

Roll Tide!  This is one of the decorations on the sorority lawns :)

This is a picture of LJ and Lance playing while we watched some earlier games before heading out to tailgate.  So sweet.

The view from where we were on the quad tailgating

Loving his first game back!

We left at half-time because LJ was ready to go, but we enjoyed our time cheering on the tide!

A friend's visit and picture day!

We have had the best time getting settled at home.  LJ has loved school, (aside from a mishap where he shut his pinky in a door - OUCH), and his parents have loved their free time as well as the moments when we are all together.  I wanted to post some pictures from the last few days.  The first few are of an afternoon with LJ's friend Shelby - she has gotten so big since we saw her last.  LJ is very tall, and Shelby has stayed with him in his height at every age.  They played great together - holding hands on their own, (we don't know why?), playing on the playground, throwing a football and even searching for sticks.  It's so cute to watch them interact.  The last picture is of LJ before he left for "picture day" at school - I'll be sure to send them out when they come back!  I hope you are having a great week - we are LOVING IT at our Alabama home! 

He is forever with a football helmet on his head or a bat in his hand :)

Talking while they grab a drink :)

Playing ball with Rookie - all three of them played hard!

 Off to school!

A wonderful week at home!

Well, tomorrow will mark a week that we've been home together, and it's been a Doozie!  We have unpacked, "played house" [ i.e. cooking with our stuff in our kitchen, using unnecessary dishes and appliances :) ], had LJ's first week at school, worked out at the gym, played/worked all over the back and front yard, cut LJ's hair, enjoyed a friends' birthday, and watched the tide roll from the comfort of our own living room.  Life is GOOD, my friends!  We hope it finds you doing wonderfully!!!

Haircuts at home require the outdoors and a treat...something like candy corn :)

Sweet face enjoying his spot in the sun

Reunited!  Smudge is SO happy we're back!

...and so is LJ!

Having a BALL ... :)

...shooting Lance with the hose :)

Working hard = tongue fully exposed!

At Baby Isaiah's birthday party, everyone got to paint a pumpkin!

Speaking of Baby Izzy, check out that tu-tu :)

...and those precious legs!

First Day of School!

Today was LJ's first day of "school" - Mother's Morning Out for 1/2 day on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  He had a BALL!  I am so glad he enjoyed himself!  While he was in school, Lance and I had breakfast and We unloaded the car and truck.  Sport has been SUCH a big help with packing, unpacking, everything.  Today, most of the stuff just got moved into the garage, but it was step one!  It's gonna take a while to get all organized, but we'll get there.  We hope you are doing great - we sure are!

1st Day of School!  

Walking with Daddy to the car

Before walking in to his classroom

Is he glad to be home, or what?  Those are Lance's Air Jordan's and a real Bama jersey.  He loves it!

We LOVED having Sport!  He and LJ are BUDDIES!

A little blip :)

I usually try to refrain from posts about baseball.  Writing about a major success or downfall might be followed by the opposite observation the following game, fickle sport!  Too much of a roller coaster!  Anyhow, I wanted to give Lance some "props" for his 2009 title of "Most Pleasant Surprise" for the Rays team.  Lance had a great season, and we are preparing for an awesome off-season!  Here's the copy/pasted version of the 2009 Awards given by the Tampa Tribune.  The full article can be found by clicking HERE.  What an honor!  Welcome home, babe!

AWARDS

Most Valuable Player - Ben Zobrist

Starting at every position but pitcher and catcher increased his value exponentially even though his offensive numbers would have been impressive enough on their own

Outstanding Pitcher - J.P. Howell

Versatile lefty led staff with 2.94 ERA and added seven wins and 17 saves while serving in variety of roles up to de facto closer

Rookie of the Year - Jeff Niemann

Led what looked to be a well-established rotation in wins and pitched consistently well before hitting a wall late in the season

Most Consistent - Carl Crawford

After posting the worst individual season of his career in '08, C.C. returned to his game-changing ways with an impressive showing in steals, walks and power

Most Pleasant Surprise - Lance Cormier

Signed with minimal fanfare in mid-January, he was slotted in as a long reliever, did a nice job there, and continued to get outs when moved into a meatier role

Biggest Disappointment - Pat Burrell

The franchise's biggest offseason signing since the Hit Show days didn't come close to meeting anyone's expectations

Biggest Regression - Dioner Navarro

Watching the young catcher slog through a miserable season, it was difficult to remember he was an All-Star a year ago

Best In-Season Addition - Randy Choate

Following a path similar to Grant Balfour's in '08, the veteran became a reliable bullpen fixture after being brought up from Durham on May 25

We made it!!

Well, we made it home!  LJ and I are here and about to sleep in our own beds.  We arrived late this afternoon, and "Aunt Rach" picked us up from the airport.  She so generously offered to take LJ to play at her house while I did a quick grocery trip to get the essentials.  LJ hopped in her car, (after retrieving his ball, Orioles bat, catcher's mask and glove from the house), and headed to play with Uncle Wood.  I hopped in our sweet friends' Jarret and Anna's jeep, (what a blessing!) and headed to Publix.  After a long day, (picking up Sport, Lance's friend, from the airport, playing at the nearby mall, getting LJ to nap in his stroller, then traveling to Alabama), my "grocery thinking cap" was NOT on.  I forgot MILK.  Anyway, we'll just enjoy our pinwheel and/or eggo waffle with juice in the morning!  By the time I even got home from my quick trip to the grocery, it was about 8 p.m., so I wasn't going back.

LJ was enamored with the house the minute he saw it.  I put up the garage door, and he FULL ON kissed and hugged his Lightening Mcqueen car and big baseball container containing all of this "sports toys".  It was like Christmas!  He's fast asleep in his baseball bat bed, probably dreaming of his morning walk, (McQueen ride), in the morning.  After our early wake-up, (most likely), we will take a stroll down the street.  Him with his car, my with my coffee...Sounds wonderful!  

Lots to do, lots to unpack, old stuff to clean out, new stuff to bring in, but WE'RE HOME! Right now, it may feel like a vessel with lots of tuning up needed, but in a week, it will be completely home.  It's just missing one person, and he'll be here Monday! Welcome home!!!!!