|
June 6-13 2008 - Escape to Yosemite
Yosemite is an amazing place. A mountainous, forested and granite
Disneyland for all who love to hike, climb, stroll,
fish, camp, etc. The climb up the Half Dome cables
was the most challenging and adventurous thing I've done
in a long while.
Yosemite in June means the Merced river is high and
the water falls coming in to the valley are gushing at
full flow. There are few sights in the Sierra that are
as stunning.
Below is my video: "Escape to Yosemite". You'll
need the
Microsoft Silverlight browser plug-in if you've not
installed it already.
NOTE: As online streaming video goes,
this one is a bit long at over 9 minutes. I just
couldn't bear to cut out some of the great shots to make
it shorter (read: easier and quicker to load in your
browser). If you contact
me I'll send
you a DVD copy if you find that your patience and slow
internet connection are getting the best of you.
:)
June 14-15 Fathers Day Weekend - A Sad and
Sudden Goodbye to our Friend Dave
Dave's Obituary |
Eulogy from Me | Eulogy from Drew Ogier |
Guest Book
close
From Doug:
I have known Dave since about the 7th grade. Typical young school kid buddies
as we were, Dave, myself, and others that are here today, goofed off as much as
much as possible and did just enough school work to get by.
But as we transitioned into 8th grade then High School, I noticed a change in
Dave. I couldn't figure it out at first. His new behavior was bizarre to me. It
was confusing and I didn't understand it. But I finally realized what it was: At
the ripe age of 13, Dave was becoming Responsible. Our parents were delighted. I
was crushed!
For myself - not having reached this level of maturity in life - there were some
frustrating moments when hanging out with my friend. There was a little less
goofing off, and more getting things done.
For instance, I remember walking with Dave back to his house one day after
school. I was looking forward to playing some hoops in his driveway. Within
minutes of getting to his garage, I had the basketball in hand, but I turned
around to find that Dave had taken the hoe and was weeding his vegetable garden.
I sulked as I watched him meticulously turn and weed each row. Only when the
last snap-bean had been picked did he put away the hoe, take the ball from my
hands and race to the net. This (I thought to myself) has got to stop!
But I soon began to appreciate his growing sense of duty and obligation, and
eventually wanted emulate these ideals for myself. I wanted to be more like
Dave.
One of the defining moments that I remember came when we were in high school,
the 10th grade I think. We were on the soccer team, and had just finished a
Friday afternoon practice for a big game coming up the next week. Coach Nyman
was concerned because the lower soccer field was soggy and flooded from recent
rains, and was probably not going to be ready for our big game.
The upper practice field was dry but badly neglected with weeds and tall grass,
and needed lots of work if we were going to use it to host our visiting team.
Dave scanned the practice field and declared: No Problem.
The next day, on Saturday morning I remember, the garage door at Dave's house
rolled up, and out came Dave riding his Dad's lawn mower. Not stopping at the
end of his driveway, he continued down Mayfield Drive and putted up the side of
Hollis street. At Champney Street he made a left, complete with proper hand
signals and all, making his way to an alley off Champney to get to the school
grounds. Past the big oval track, he proceeded to the upper practice field,
lowered the mowing deck and began his task. Hours later, sweaty and sunburned,
Dave was beaming at the results. The field was ready for our game, the Crusaders
were ready to host the visiting team and I was once again proud to call Dave a
friend.
As our friendship went on through out the years, Dave - through less talk, and
more action - gained a reputation for always putting in the extra effort needed
to get things done. Always going the extra mile, working past quitting time -
all with endless enthusiasm and huge smile. Dave was happy. Dave was happy to
serve. Doing so gave him great satisfaction in life.
And so the next time you see lightning in the sky, you can be sure that Dave
didn't mind when God asked him to work some overtime to wire up a few more
strikes to make sure it worked and flashed just like it's supposed to. So to
Dave, I say: good bye old friend, our memories of you will shine on forever in
the skies above.
close
close
From Drew Ogier, longtime friend of Dave (and me):
As many of you know, Dave spent some time in Southern California, and all of
us out here are deeply saddened to have lost such a dear friend. And even though
we can’t all be there with you today, we are all united in spirit – brought
together by a man as unique and wonderful as any we have ever met.
I’d like to share one of my earliest memories of Dave. My family moved to Groton
when I was in the third grade, and I was nervous about being “the new kid in
town.” I started school, and soon after met Dave – he put me at ease and made me
feel like I had always lived there – like I belonged. He and I quickly became
friends.
I had a birthday party that year, which must have been the spring of 1971 – and
my parents planned an old-fashioned, outdoor event with 3-legged races, water
balloons, games and prizes. I remember very little about that day. I remember
the kids showing up, wearing jeans and t-shirts, ready for a day of outdoor fun.
I remember a sack race. Presents. Something about a cake. But the one thing I’ll
never forget - the one memory that is just as vivid today as it was when it
happened - was when Dave arrived at the party. Dave’s family dropped him off at
the end of my long, dirt driveway, which at that time of the year - late March -
was basically a sea of mud. So Dave steps out of the car, and he’s not wearing
jeans and a t-shirt - like everyone else – he’s wearing a suit. He takes three
steps and he’s up to his knees in mud, stuck like a wooly mammoth in the LaBrea
Tar Pits. Now, if this had happened to most kids, what would they have done?
Started crying? Run back to the car? Asked to be taken home so they could
change? What do you think Dave did? He took off his shoes, rolled up his pants
and charged up the driveway. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t complain, didn’t even
blink – just scrambled up the hill and joined the party.
And that’s just the kind of guy Dave was - that’s how he saw the world – to
Dave, the glass wasn’t just half full, it was bottomless. Nothing could bring
Dave down - if it was raining, that was great news – after all, the plants need
watering. If he ate a bad cup of chowder, ended up in bed with a nasty case of
food poisoning, he’d probably say he needed to lose a few pounds anyway. If your
house burned down, he’d be the first to point out that you now have free
charcoal for life. Dave had a spirit unlike that of anyone I’ve ever met –
powerful, resilient, unflappable. I feel truly honored to have been one of the
thousands of people he touched throughout the course of his life – honored to
have had the privilege to call him friend.
Of course, our loss is heaven’s gain – they’re lucky to have him and it wouldn’t
surprise me if he’s already helping out up there - oiling the pearly gates,
mowing the clouds, fixing god’s hot water heater – whatever it takes.
So, good bye old buddy – we will miss you more than you can ever imagine. And
although you may be gone from this earth, you will never be forgotten – you’ve
touched us all and you will always remain with us - in our thoughts and in our
hearts.
Shine on, buddy – shine on.
close
I was home from Yosemite only a day - blissfully
daydreaming of the trip highlights - when my
world was blindsided by the news of my friends
untimely death.
Dave was a very dear friend. I've known him
for what seems like a million years. We grew up
together and had many adventures in life together.
I always enjoyed visiting him and his family when
travelling back to the east coast during my past 20+
years of living in Southern California.
Suddenly I found myself booking a last minute
flight and packing for a weekend of services,
receptions, tributes and tears. It was a
grueling trip. The time zone change, jetlag, and
death of a friend really beat me up pretty good, yet
I was so proud to participate in Dave's service. I
helped carry my friend up the church steps, hugged
and consoled with family and friends, read aloud my eulogy
to friends at an informal party.
I cannot conceive of a worst thing for his two
daughters (ages 14 and 9) to go through at this
time. I
imagine that they're somewhat disconnected from life itself
- all while going through motions of everyday routines. Yet when we think of what it means to
be a hero - his girls are in a league with the
best of them. They are
incredible girls on track to becoming incredible
women. No one could be
more proud than Dave and Lisa.
If you wish you can donate to either or both of
these funds:
The Meagan and Alyssa Cramb Fund
c/o TD
Banknorth
2 High Street
New Boston, NH 03070
New Boston Fire Department and Rescue Squad,
Police Dept AED Fund in Memory of Dave Cramb
P O Box 250
New Boston, NH 03070
Below are the program cover from the service, and a
poem from the wake.
The family created some great picture boards that were on display at the reception.
Click on each to enlarge:
Here are a few more pictures from my weekend. Roll mouse over each to enlarge.
Greg, Me, Tom, Joe and Jeff
Me and Sue Friot. I saw many old friends during the reception.
The party for Dave went on all night.
And Finally - latest Book Review
Make sure to check out the
Book Review
section for the latest review of the book: "Three
Cups of Tea". Remember you can't judge a
book by it's cover (or title), so don't assume this
book is strictly for old ladies in the parlor...!
|
