The Rec

Ian,

The Rec always was important to you - from our first visit to College Station, that was THE place you wanted to visit. I was busy pushing to see the Memorial Student Center, Kyle Field, Sully, the Bonfire Memorial - we did see these things, but you wanted to visit the Rec. A cute girl - a friend of a friend - gave us a tour, but you wanted to know more about the Rec and working out - not her. You could obsess about things! We arrived that first time at the Rec and we asked if we could go on a tour. They let us wander around. How thrilled you were to see the size, complexity and variety in the weight room. We were not to "lift" and I could barely keep you off the machines and the weights. We then looked at the rachetball courts, running track, swimming pool. They loaned us a basketball and we shot together. I remembered all the evenings we played basketball in the driveway - shooting, playing one on one, watching you with your friends play, dunk contests. It all flooded back to me - those day were so precious, but you were moving on. What thankfulness welled up in my heart for you, for the things we shared, and we shot, played a little one on one, and you beat me silly!!!

When you moved in to the dorm for Gateway, it was all I could do to keep you focused - get your ID, get your key, move your stuff in, arrange the room - because you wanted to immediately go to the Rec. The prospect of that weight room being yours - was too much for you to handle. That first evening, we attended the event at the Alumni Center. Tons of people were there and we were "cross dressed" nice enough to be there, but ready for the Rec. We poised for pictures under the Big Ring. I wanted a picture with you and you practically crawled in my arms and flung yourself back - the picture was dark, but I think it captures our laughter and joy. I was intent on you seeing the things in the Center - you were concerned with the girls greeting everyone. It was hot, College Station hot, and you waited in the long concession line to get punch and cookies for the girls. They were shocked that someone was serving them! Let alone such a cute freshman guy - I bet each rethought their boundaries to date freshman at that moment. Once again, the picture I have does not capture their surprise, their joy - but it shows your perceptive and generous heart. Makes a dad very proud! We looked at history of the rings and then headed to the Rec - our real goal all along.

The Rec weight room was all you dreamed it to be - many options for machines, free weights, and other workout equipment. We worked out hard - following your regime and then you wanted to run. How I hate running - how I wish I ran with you more - but we ran and ran. I was amazed with your energy and endurance. I was sucking wind and you were sprinting. What a physical specimen you were! After the Rec we retired to the dorm room. Your roommate was staying with friends and so he let me sleep in his bunk. We had them maximally high so the desks had max head room. We seemed 12 inches from the ceiling and NO guard rail. I tucked in my sheets on the non-wall side to help prevent the long fall to the floor. 

The next morning we got up and did breakfast in dorm area and headed to Gateway activities. That evening it was back to the Rec. The walk from Kyle field, under Welborne, emerging looking at the parking garage ahead and the path to the Rec to the left is impressed on my mind. It was our daily path leading to our routine of working out and running. We tried to finish all our list - get you registered with the disabilities office - I don't think that ever got finished. We saw presentations about the Corps, classes, student services. I thought you may rethink and join the Corps for a day. But that passed. Each morning and afternoon we threw the blue frisbee in the Quad outside the Corps dorms. Sometimes people would join in, most of the time they would watch. I was so proud that my son would play with me still - that he would focus this time with me. What a son! We also threw the disc as you went to class and I hung out waiting for you to finish. I still remember after you signed up for classes, I was to head back to Austin and you planned to head back to the Rec that evening.

From Tresten and Brendon, etc., once in Moses, you continued the Rec activities. We worked out when we moved you in - Mom took a break, but we walked through the passage under Welborn and to the Rec and back. It was a longer walk for sure from Moses. But to you, the Rec was worth every step. We texted about your workouts during your time in College Station; we discussed by phone; you apparently were a legend there.

On Parent's Weekend, we worked out the last time together at the Rec. I ran from the B&B to meet you and Brenda there. I ran under the passage again, noting the bikes, the people trafficking around me - I was intent on seeing you. We met - you were late - Brenda looking so proud to be with you. We discussed workout strategies. For the first time, you agreed to follow mine. We used a 30 lb dumbell as a kettlebell and did my full cardio weight workout. Brenda used a smaller weight. You were exhausted as we finished. I tried to act like I was okay - but I was worn out too. You then insisted that we finish with deadlifts - something that you were focused on recently. They nearly wiped me out. We waited to finish with pull ups - you were impressive with your form and number as always - at the end of the workout no less! I struggled. Brenda finished strong. We parted ways and you headed back to the dorm to clean up. Our evening at the coffee shop and the next day will be part of another story. But our time at the Rec was awesome.

Coming back to the Rec this past week for the blood drive was tough. I did not realize that I parked Danny and I such that we had to walk next to the passage under Welborn. The thought, the vision, the feeling of walking with you through this passage so many times to the Rec overwhelmed me. I could not, would not again. Danny and I entered the Rec and were greeted by your friends - they love and miss you greatly. During the drive that provided materials for 90 people, girls you smiled at in Moses, people who heard about you, people alerted by the University President's Tweets, your closest friends all came and gave. Trestin, John and others looked more buff than ever - following your example working out at the Rec. You loved smoothies and we bought Smoothie King for everyone. A small gift in response to their gift. Jeremy the managr of Smoothie King told mom and I how you visited him every day in Sbisa. You bought a smoothie every few days, but always said Hello. We know you talked about working there often. He spoke of what a quality young man you were - one that stuck out in his memory and his saddness learning that you have gone home. I wandered around the Rec - reliving our lifts, our runs, our basketball, our watching racketball players, swimmers - it was overwhelming the sweet memories that flooded back. How I miss you Ian - I have no words. I walked to move Danny's car and paused at the passageway - remembering again our walks for a year - from our first visits to April - to go to the Rec. I swelled with pride in who you are, with the lives you have impacted, the joys we shared. 

Thank you Ian for sharing the Rec with me. There is so much more, but this is a start to keep these memories alive. 

Love you Ian,

dad