It Was A Typical Summer Day 45 Years Ago That Would Change My Life Forever
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Posted by: Steve Hardwick
Date: Jul 02 2018 2:08 PM
I first learned about loss when I was a teenager.
It was the summer of 1973
My best friend was Gordy Hardy.
We went to Young Junior High School together, and Gordy was working at Doug Tew Recreation Center the summer after we finished ninth grade.
I went by the center one night to see Gordy while he was working and we planned to ride bicycles the next day after Gordy got back from a fishing trip with some of his friends.
Gordy told me he would call me around lunch when he got back from his fishing trip
Little did I know that when I told him goodbye that night it would be
the last time I would ever hear my Best Friends voice.
It was Tues July 24, 1973 And that would be the day that would change me forever.
Gordy drowned that morning while wading in a pond trying to catch fish.
That was my first encounter of losing a friend and feeling the unforgettable hurt and sorrow from grieving.
At the young innocent age of 15 I thought tomorrow‘s were guaranteed.
I learned that day in July that Tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us.
It would be my first and only time passing out ( during the funeral service )
And it would be my very first time I asked God..Why?
God has a awesome way of putting things together that belong together.
When I did the Angel Of Hope Statue at Westgate Park in 2016 I knew the location was perfect but I didn’t know just how perfect it really was until Lou Boothe told me a year later that the ball field right behind the statue was named “Hardy Field” years before in memory of Gordy Hardy.
I was talking to Mr. Boothe At The Angel that day and he said
“ Steve did you know that the field right behind the Angel of Hope is named after Gordy? “
I just stood there staring at the field with tears in my eyes. I had no idea...but I knew then that this location was indeed meant to be.
The lighted field you see in the picture is Hardy Field 🙏
Gordy it’s been 45 years since that day but I think of you all the time and I look forward to that day that we can finally take that bike ride in Heaven.
I love you my friend
You will always be remembered at the Angel Of Hope
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