Celebrating the Lives of Three Lost to Cancer

"How is it that you always seem to find something to write about week after week?" My friend asked me the other day. Truth be told, I've been asked that same question many times over the last 9 years. Wait, did I just write 9 years? I did. It's going to be 9 years since I started this weekly blog on April 15th, 2012. Nine years? Yikes. It does not seem that long. But it is.

So getting back to my friend's query. Well, this week alone is a good example.

I was going to write about how wonderful the MOLLY Fundraiser went at The EXTER RINKS when we hosted the 3rd annual . It was another successful outing. I love seeing the smiling faces of the whole community come together during this fun filled day at the Hockey Rink. The Pink colors just circulating throughout the entire building is such a great atmosphere to be part of. The dozens of volunteers all helping out is so up lifting. And it is wide spread.

From the little groms and Moms to the dads and grandparents.

It's just a great day all around. And it is always a gas to see some of the GREATEST Hockey players to ever lace up a pair of skates in the NHL skate with a bunch of local surfers. Such a fun filled entertaining afternoon, that my face hurt from laughing and smiling so much.

And throughout the day, that MOLLY logo was everywhere.

To think that this 5 year old sweetheart, who lived such a short life has touched so many in the community is truly a blessing for us all. Molly's legacy will be this fund that bears her name. That logo and that smiling face of her's, will forever be linked to helping other families who have children who are battling cancer.

Long after we are all gone from this earth, the hope is that the MOLLY ROWLEE Fund will still be in effect. Still helping families, still giving hope, still putting smiles on people's faces. Isn't that an amazing thought? I know that Buck, Meighan, Kieran, and soon to be little brother TJ, are forever grateful for the out pouring of love and support that they have received from this community and beyond. It warms the hearts of all of those who knew Molly, and to those who only know of her spirit and what it has brought forth to this seacoast.

So it is easy for me to find something to write about week after week.

And because I am a vehicle of sorts for all the Surf related news on the seacoast, there are times when the news is not always good. That was the case this week. When I found out that we lost two individuals who have strong surf ties to our community. It breaks my heart to say that Dwight Hamsley and Toby Parke's love of his life Joanna Rob passed away this past week.

Once again cancer has raised it's ugly head and snatched away a young life.

Toby and Joanna are the loving parents of baby Myles. Toby is one of us. A surfer. He's a great guy and a good surfer. I've known Toby for many years. I've taken many photos and video of his surfing here along with his buddies Stanek, Sashi, and the many others he calls a friend. There are too many of you to name. Toby is one of those humble individuals who sort of slips in and out of the water without making a lot of noise.

At the end of one of my movies (The RUN) Toby speaks of he and Joanna and the birth of their son Myles. It was such a happy moment to have captured on video. I was genuinely stoked for the two of them. Having a family and sharing that love of surfing with your family, is one of the best experiences we can all share in. It seems there are so many new parents who are surfers.

I love hearing about all the young surfers who are raising families here in NH.

We recently had a Fundraiser for Joanna last Fall that Matt and his friends put together. We had three local bands play. Todo Bien, Kings Highway, and BHD. It was a fun night, and we seemed to have raised enough money to help out with the never ending expenses of dealing with Cancer. Things were looking good for Joanna that night. The days and months that followed had similar positive results. But cancer is cruel. It knows no boundaries in it's cruelty.
Rich or poor. It strikes all and leaves nothing but heartache in it's wake. But cancer cannot kill love. Cancer cannot kill support. Cancer cannot kill all friends and family.

It may try, but it can't kill us all. Some day, some way, we will kill it. And that day will be one for the ages. The day we kill cancer. That day will be a day for the history books. A day to celebrate. Hell, it might even become a Holiday. Meanwhile, we will pick up the pieces and hold on to each other a little tighter. There is a service for Joanna this coming Saturday March 31st, 2012 at 12 noon. See poster below. Surfing, Community, and Love.

Dwight Hamsley was a surfer. He was also an incredible athlete who broke all kinds of Football records at Portsmouth High School and at UNH. In 1981 at the young age of 22, Dwight was seriously hurt in a fall in Hawaii, where he was spending time surfing with his friends. He became a quadriplegic and spent the next 31 years confined to a wheelchair. Most people would of spent the rest of their lives upset and despondent after such a devastating accident.

Not Dwight. He was always upbeat and positive whenever I saw him. Always.

He went on to hone his skills as an artist, as a writer, as a photographer, as a musician, as a poet, and he would be dammed if he just sat idly in his wheelchair as well. Dwight took up adaptive rowing, where he actually rowed to the Isle of Shoals and back. He rowed down the Hudson River in New York, and he also competed in the world's first handicap rowing regatta in Perth, Australia where he came in second place.

For years Dwight was the driving force in the "Tidal Wave Of Art" show.

He loved art with all his heart and soul, and he was the first to push the surf art theme in the surf community. Jay Gould, Stan Chew, Jon Grady, and some of the other older surf art enthusiasts will attest to that. He once did a painting for me. It is still hanging in our kitchen. He didn't have a title when he gave it to me. "What's it called Dwight?" I asked him that day. "You can call it whatever you want Ralph." I looked at the painting and looked at Dwight. "I'll call it the Light at the End of The Tunnel." He smiled. "I love it." We shook hands.

Dwight is Free now...he is out of that chair. Just like he always said he would.

There is a service for Dwight on Saturday March 31st, 2012 at 1:30PM at the RYE CONGREGATIONAL Church on 580 Washington Road, in Rye, NH. I plan on attending after I attend Joanna's service at 12 noon in Portsmouth.

Saturday is going to be a day of celebration and tears.

And it will be no surprise to any of us who know, that if there is surf before or after, we can all use a good cleansing that only that salt water can provide.
Rest in Peace Dwight and Rest In Peace Joanna.

"Surfing Heals ALL Wounds...".

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:

The whole Nation is up in arms over the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin the young 17yr old black youth who was killed by a local watchman George Zimmerman in Florida. By all the accounts I heard this is a simple case of Murder of an unarmed youth. Zimmerman should be arrested and tried for murder. Why are we wasting time on this? I mean Good Lord. The only people who think Zimmerman is innocent is Zimmerman and his lawyer. Come on. Throw this loony bird in jail and let's get on with our lives here. That poor family has suffered enough.

OK last week was one for the ages as far as the NFL goes. First Peyton Manning officially becomes a Denver Bronco for $96 Million freaking dollars! And Tim Tebow heads off to the NY JETS? Oh boy...like the NY Media is not gonna crucify Tebow? wait that's a bad choice of words there. But you know what I mean. The NY POST will crush Tebow the first time he loses a game. Crush him. Start praying Tim...

Then down in New Orleans the SAINTS were dealt a severe blow by Roger Goodall. Man oh man don't mess with that man. Head Coach Sean Payton GONE for one year. The Defensive Coordinator gone INDEFINITLY! GM out for 8 games. And the killer the loss of two second round Draft picks for two years. Ouch! All because of the BOUNTY that the coaches had for the players to take out opposing players by means of injuries. Like a bonus, if you hit someone and they are carted off on a stretcher. WTF? You know, we have suffered here in New England after that asshole hit on Brady back in 2007. The thought that players are TRYING to hurt other players on purpose to make a few extra bucks is sickening.

I say good for you Roger Goodall. Lay down the law.

Finally...I never got into the whole Youth Vampire craze the last couple of years and I admit I have no idea what this HUNGER bit is all about. What I do know is, someone is making a ton of money here. And I have never knocked success.

So feed the HUNGER kids...if it fills your bellies. I'm going to pass.