Fathers, Roosters, and a Rocker

Father's Day 2012 came and went yesterday without much fanfare at this house. Not to worry, though, Coach had a fun-filled afternoon with Tucker (the boy who first made him a father) and a swell father figure whom this Kirk family has all come to know and love over the years. After devouring his traditional Father's Day breakfast of French toast, maple bacon, and grits (prepared with loving hands by muah and Tate)and opening up a few goodies from the boys, Coach K loaded up with clubs, tees, shoes, and Tucker for a drive over to the annual Rooster Classic pre-tournament tournament to spend a sun shiney day with some old friends ( that we now just call family). I wasn't sure at first about this golf excursion on a day set aside for father's and their fams, but after hearing the details from a worn out but enthusiastic Tucker, yesterday's outing was just the ticket for a dad who deserves the best. The Rooster Classic is an annual fundraiser whose goal is to raise money to send kids to FCA camp, kids who otherwise might not have the funds, or the Christian-driven parents, to experience a place where fun is centered around learning about God. Big Jay and the rest of the Bodes have made it their goal to fill that camp every summer with kids who benefit from golfers who want to give back. They (the golfers) also have a pretty good time raising money, golfing, eating bar-b-q, and hanging with former Brave John Rocker. The Rooster Classic also serves as a kind of memorial to Big Jay and Mrs. Margie's son Brent, or Rooster, who died in a plane crash several years ago. Not only do his memories live on with all the folks who gather every year, but so does his name. This year the tournament just happened to fall on the weekend of Father's Day and what better tribute to both Jay and Brent than to bring together dads and their sons for an afternoon of priceless and picturesque memories. We are always told to appreciate every day what we have and more importantly, WHO we have, because we never know when things or people will be taken away from us. Sometimes, as with Brent, that lesson hits close to home. So yesterday, while Billy strolled the links with a great dad, Tucker experienced his first brag-worthy father-son golf tournament, and he learned that family comes in all forms.