kevin
Ernie Ball Customer Service
Hey Guys...I debated whether or not to post this here. Please don't feel any obligation, but everything helps and its a great cause that is very close to me. Here is a copy of an email I had sent out to some friends:
In 1990 I met one of my best friends of all time!! I was in 6th grade and definitely thought life was about baseball, dodgeball and coming to the realization that getting cooties wasn't so bad. Meeting and becoming friends with Gustavo Salas that year would not only change how I looked at things back then, as a 11 year old, but little did I know it would effect the way I viewed life and the world for the next 19 years(and beyond). Throughout life you end up meeting some great people, that will have signifigent effect on you personally. It seems like many times when you meet those people...they have a sort of "x-factor" about them. Something that you can't necessarilly put your finger on, but yet you find yourself interested and intrueged by the person. Gustavo was definitely one of those people for me, and many others. I remember being amazed by Gustavo's generosity, honesty and bluntness(for lack of a better word) It's funny even at such a young age everybody seemed to gravitate towards him, Goose's line of friends could of extended around our hometown multiple times over. As I think back now I realize how far ahead of the curve Goose was. He treated everyone with respect and never paid attention to stereo types or clicks. While me and the other 11 year olds made fun of each other for not wearing the hippest jeans, having the new reebok pumps or hanging out with the "right" crowd. Gustavo would embrace the kid that had torn hand me down jeans, payless shoes and never hung out with "the cool" crowd. I remember thinking back then how rad it was that Goose had friends that were considered "nerds, jocks, gamers, skaters or whatever typical grade school click you can think of). At such a young age Gustavo had unlocked the secrets to life that take many of us decades to learn. I feel so lucky to have been exposed to that and try everyday to live life like my great friend....smile, be happy and treat people right!! Sounds so simple doesn't it? Easier said than done. The funny thing is that knowing and being a part of Gustavo's life kind of did make it simple. You see Gustavo had much more to worry about and deal with than the rest of us did, thats what makes his story even more amazing. When I met Goose he was in remission and feeling strong after fighting a tough battle with Leukemia. I remember him being so excited to get out and play rec league basketball with the rest of us. I'll never forget the day he was over at my parents and we were riding the gas powered go-cart around in the backyard. Both of us were having an absolute blast.....and as anyone who knew him would of guessed Gustavo was ripping the cart around the back yard at full speed. Well until he ended up rolling it, and breaking his arm. Cry.......nope! He got up dusted himself off and tried to convince my mom not to tell his parents about it. Pretty funny....kinda tough to hide a broken arm from your mom! Gustavo was with us for less than a couple of years after that. I think about my friend a lot and feel lucky to have won the "friend lottery" and have been one of the many people effected by Gustavo's personality, attitude and friendship. Its amazing that someone could be so wise beyond their years and I think there is no doubt in anyones mind that Gustavo Salas was a life changer!! I miss you all the time my friend and thank you for the impact you had on my life!!!
Since then I have been lucky enough to live in a few places and make a ton of great friends!!! I know that many of you who will read this never had a chance to meet or become friends with Gustavo. But as you've gathered from reading this he had a big impact on who I am today and how I try and live my life. Gustavo's wonderful sister Teresa will be running the Nike Womens Marathon in San Francisco on October 18, 2009. She will be running for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(LLS). And has set a goal of raising $2,401.00 in Gustavo's name. If you have ever thought of doing something nice for me......please take this opportunity to donate a few dollars towards Teresa's goal and help us provide the necessary money to research and find a cure for this horrible disease. Leukemia is the leading killer of children under the age of 15! I will include Teresa's link below where you can make a contribution, its real easy to get it set up. If you find yourself with an extra $5 or $10 help Teresa out and lets fly past the set goal of $2,401.00
Brother, this run's for you
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this!!!
-Kevin
In 1990 I met one of my best friends of all time!! I was in 6th grade and definitely thought life was about baseball, dodgeball and coming to the realization that getting cooties wasn't so bad. Meeting and becoming friends with Gustavo Salas that year would not only change how I looked at things back then, as a 11 year old, but little did I know it would effect the way I viewed life and the world for the next 19 years(and beyond). Throughout life you end up meeting some great people, that will have signifigent effect on you personally. It seems like many times when you meet those people...they have a sort of "x-factor" about them. Something that you can't necessarilly put your finger on, but yet you find yourself interested and intrueged by the person. Gustavo was definitely one of those people for me, and many others. I remember being amazed by Gustavo's generosity, honesty and bluntness(for lack of a better word) It's funny even at such a young age everybody seemed to gravitate towards him, Goose's line of friends could of extended around our hometown multiple times over. As I think back now I realize how far ahead of the curve Goose was. He treated everyone with respect and never paid attention to stereo types or clicks. While me and the other 11 year olds made fun of each other for not wearing the hippest jeans, having the new reebok pumps or hanging out with the "right" crowd. Gustavo would embrace the kid that had torn hand me down jeans, payless shoes and never hung out with "the cool" crowd. I remember thinking back then how rad it was that Goose had friends that were considered "nerds, jocks, gamers, skaters or whatever typical grade school click you can think of). At such a young age Gustavo had unlocked the secrets to life that take many of us decades to learn. I feel so lucky to have been exposed to that and try everyday to live life like my great friend....smile, be happy and treat people right!! Sounds so simple doesn't it? Easier said than done. The funny thing is that knowing and being a part of Gustavo's life kind of did make it simple. You see Gustavo had much more to worry about and deal with than the rest of us did, thats what makes his story even more amazing. When I met Goose he was in remission and feeling strong after fighting a tough battle with Leukemia. I remember him being so excited to get out and play rec league basketball with the rest of us. I'll never forget the day he was over at my parents and we were riding the gas powered go-cart around in the backyard. Both of us were having an absolute blast.....and as anyone who knew him would of guessed Gustavo was ripping the cart around the back yard at full speed. Well until he ended up rolling it, and breaking his arm. Cry.......nope! He got up dusted himself off and tried to convince my mom not to tell his parents about it. Pretty funny....kinda tough to hide a broken arm from your mom! Gustavo was with us for less than a couple of years after that. I think about my friend a lot and feel lucky to have won the "friend lottery" and have been one of the many people effected by Gustavo's personality, attitude and friendship. Its amazing that someone could be so wise beyond their years and I think there is no doubt in anyones mind that Gustavo Salas was a life changer!! I miss you all the time my friend and thank you for the impact you had on my life!!!
Since then I have been lucky enough to live in a few places and make a ton of great friends!!! I know that many of you who will read this never had a chance to meet or become friends with Gustavo. But as you've gathered from reading this he had a big impact on who I am today and how I try and live my life. Gustavo's wonderful sister Teresa will be running the Nike Womens Marathon in San Francisco on October 18, 2009. She will be running for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(LLS). And has set a goal of raising $2,401.00 in Gustavo's name. If you have ever thought of doing something nice for me......please take this opportunity to donate a few dollars towards Teresa's goal and help us provide the necessary money to research and find a cure for this horrible disease. Leukemia is the leading killer of children under the age of 15! I will include Teresa's link below where you can make a contribution, its real easy to get it set up. If you find yourself with an extra $5 or $10 help Teresa out and lets fly past the set goal of $2,401.00
Brother, this run's for you
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this!!!
-Kevin
