The caring side of Brian Kelly

[peoriairish]

I had been waiting to post this for when there was a little lull in the news coming out regarding ND. This seems like the perfect time. Enjoy.

A few months ago, OMM and I were emailing back and forth so I could post a few of the old pictures he had on IE, when he sent me this. It really shows how great of a person Coach Kelly is and how he embodies what the University stands for. He really does belong at Notre Dame.

In July I asked my Mom [96 years old and in a nursing home] if she wanted to write to Brian Kelly. She said yes, that would be a nice little "adventure" and he seemed like a very nice man. So I wrote to him including a small bit of background and how she so loved the time when Lou Holtz insisted on having his picture taken with her [because of her being married at the Old Log Chapel].

Well, Mom is right about our current Coach. He wrote her a personal letter and included a signed photo just to her. [BK sent the letters immediately after he received them from OMM's mother].

What a great guy. Broke me up emotionally. Part of what makes our university so special.

Here is the signed picture and associated letter from Coach Kelly.

 

[NDLS_USMC]

Good to see!

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

Bravo BK!

 

[anarin]

I dont believe it, the bk I know only yells at kids on national tv.

 

[Rocky2820]

What this university is all about. Love it.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Its great to see this

 

[Old Man Mike]

Peoria's posting is well timed. Mother is in Hospice now and is about to take her 96 1/2 years of Love to God which will be the best Christmas Present He has had in years. I told her today in hospice that God is All-Smiles to welcome her, and Dad is so proud that she went those long years always paying her way, loving everyone, hardly ever complaining. I was able to get a few responses out of her with those remarks and just hearing her eldest son's voice.

My huge weightlifting-coach brother was there from Texas [the former All-Star defensive tackle at ECU] and he only cried six times. Love is stronger than anything, and it is the only thing which cannot be forced, so even God is helpless to command it. But God's lucky this day. Mom is about to bring him a giant bundle of it.

By the way, don't feel at all sorry for me or Mom. I'm completely spiritually OK with this --- it's actually glorious. And Mom's headed for a Great Big Welcoming Party in the Sky.

And She and Dad are going to have the best seats in the house for the Championship Game.



Thank you, Peoria, for "psychic masterful timing". And Bless Coach --- Mother REALLY liked his picture and letter, and had me post it on her nursing home room wall, along with the picture of her and Lou Holtz.

 

[Emcee77]

Sorry to hear about this, OMM. I'm glad Coach Kelly took some time to brighten your mom's day. You and your family will be in my prayers -- I'll pray that the Big Man Upstairs welcomes her extra warmly.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Peoria's posting is well timed. Mother is in Hospice now and is about to take her 96 1/2 years of Love to God which will be the best Christmas Present He has had in years. I told her today in hospice that God is All-Smiles to welcome her, and Dad is so proud that she went those long years always paying her way, loving everyone, hardly ever complaining. I was able to get a few responses out of her with those remarks and just hearing her eldest son's voice.

My huge weightlifting-coach brother was there from Texas [the former All-Star defensive tackle at ECU] and he only cried six times. Love is stronger than anything, and it is the only thing which cannot be forced, so even God is helpless to command it. But God's lucky this day. Mom is about to bring him a giant bundle of it.

By the way, don't feel at all sorry for me or Mom. I'm completely spiritually OK with this --- it's actually glorious. And Mom's headed for a Great Big Welcoming Party in the Sky.

And She and Dad are going to have the best seats in the house for the Championship Game.



Thank you, Peoria, for "psychic masterful timing". And Bless Coach --- Mother REALLY liked his picture and letter, and had me post it on her nursing home room wall, along with the picture of her and Lou Holtz.

As my grandparents get older I sometimes worry about how I will deal with these types of situations once I am presented with them. I hope to have the same strength and faith that you do OMM. God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Mike, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. God bless her and your family.

 

[johnnykillz]

God bless all of you: especially you OMM; with all the love I can give through here thank-you so much.

I pray God weakens the sting of death brother.

Your mother is obviously a special woman. She raised a warrior.

 

[dshans]

As my grandparents get older I sometimes worry about how I will deal with these types of situations once I am presented with them. I hope to have the same strength and faith that you do OMM. God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

Don't expend much time and effort worrying. What will be, will be. Que será, que será. Trite, I know, but true nonetheless.

My maternal grandfather died at 62, shortly before I was born. My maternal grandmother at 100. My paternal grandfather at 78 and paternal grandmother at 95, 97 or 98 depending on the birth certificate that was accurate. Both my parents passed at 78. My younger sister departed last December 6th at age 54.

The key is to make the best of the time one has with loved ones and leave the "dealing" to when the time comes. Hell, I found out that my maternal grandmother refused to accept my existence when not in my presence (as a twin I was "unnatural" – only "animals" had multiple births) when I was in my late 30's. She was as loving and caring as could be when we visited, though.

My point? Love most and worry least. One has more control over the choice to show love than over any final result.

Stay empathetic and forgiving for imagined slights. Do what you can in the time you and "they" have.

 

[BGIF]

The Good Son(s).

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

We'll be thinking about her, Mike. Put your mind at ease...she's in good hands.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Wow. God bless her. Love the story.

 

[Redbar]

Thoughts and Prayers your way OMM, congratulations and thanks to your MOM for 96+ years of love in our world.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Sending warm thoughts to you and your family, Mike.

 

[peoriairish]

Thanks again for sharing this special moment with us, OMM. God has a good one coming home to take care of all his children. You, your mother, and your family are in my prayers.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I don't want to bother the board further on this, so I'll just report that Mom passed to God at 3am this morning in about as fine a manner as any of us could hope for [having had most of her seven children present the very day previous.] It is a joyous occasion for her and us; only tears of affection are running here.

For those who find such things possibly meaningful: when Dad died a great handsome buck deer strode around the neighbors' house across the street, walked directly towards our house, and getting as close to our living room window as it could, stared in upon the family for an awe-inspiring time before turning quietly and walking back the way it had come.

When Mom died, I and two of my brothers and a sister-in-law went to the nursing home at 4am. We parked and got out. There twenty feet away, two deer emerged from the houses nearby, stared calmly at us, and slowly moved away.

God is good; and there is joy in Heaven this day.

 

[kmoose]

It sounds like she had a good long run, Mike. My condolences. I obviously didn't know her, but I am fond of the saying that "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree". If that's true, then I don't need to know her, to know that the world was a better place with her in it. I hope that you all are blessed, in the upcoming year.

 

[Rocky2820]

I don't want to bother the board further on this, so I'll just report that Mom passed to God at 3am this morning in about as fine a manner as any of us could hope for [having had most of her seven children present the very day previous.] It is a joyous occasion for her and us; only tears of affection are running here.

For those who find such things possibly meaningful: when Dad died a great handsome buck deer strode around the neighbors' house across the street, walked directly towards our house, and getting as close to our living room window as it could, stared in upon the family for an awe-inspiring time before turning quietly and walking back the way it had come.

When Mom died, I and two of my brothers and a sister-in-law went to the nursing home at 4am. We parked and got out. There twenty feet away, two deer emerged from the houses nearby, stared calmly at us, and slowly moved away.

God is good; and there is joy in Heaven this day.

Condolences sent your way, Mike. Your story about the deer gave me chills. You know they're in a better place. It's always hard for those left behind, but clearly she lived a wonderfully full life and you and your family are a big part of her legacy.

 

[peoriairish]

I don't want to bother the board further on this, so I'll just report that Mom passed to God at 3am this morning in about as fine a manner as any of us could hope for [having had most of her seven children present the very day previous.] It is a joyous occasion for her and us; only tears of affection are running here.

For those who find such things possibly meaningful: when Dad died a great handsome buck deer strode around the neighbors' house across the street, walked directly towards our house, and getting as close to our living room window as it could, stared in upon the family for an awe-inspiring time before turning quietly and walking back the way it had come.

When Mom died, I and two of my brothers and a sister-in-law went to the nursing home at 4am. We parked and got out. There twenty feet away, two deer emerged from the houses nearby, stared calmly at us, and slowly moved away.

God is good; and there is joy in Heaven this day.

Beautiful story, Mike. And extra prayer will be said at church today. Bless you and your family.

 

[dshans]

Condolences, Old Man. I just hope that there won't be three deer at the window any time soon.