Luca's memorial

There was quite a bit going on after Luca's death to remember him. Tristan's team had to play in a tournament the following weekend and they had his number added to the sleeve of their jerseys. They played their first game with only 10 players on the field instead of the normal 11. (This symbolized being a man down.) There was a moment of silence mid-day with a balloon release at the field. Their second game was played with them all wearing a skull cap because that's what Luca wore during games to keep his hair pulled back. They did go on to win the tournament also which was awesome. What a trying weekend.

His celebration of life memorial was the following week at New Life Church. There were over a 1000 people there. Not a dry eye left the service though - his dad closed the service and his speech was so emotional, so raw, the adults were sobbing. The boys were okay until that and then it all seemed to hit them. We weren't able to stay afterward for the dinner (no appetite) and Tristan cried all the way home.

Something like this though does make you appreciate your family even more and realize that you can lose someone unexpectedly so cherish every minute.