Today is the anniversary of my dad's death, and soon, on Christmas, it will be my mom's. Suffice it to say, my parents loved their holidays. As this anniversary comes and goes, I thought it appropriate to share a message I wrote on the outpouring of support and more from the Steds Family for me when I was in the bitterest of valleys. Again, thank you for all the calls, letters, texts, and more, for it reminded me that I was not alone. And because of it, not only do we have a bench but also something more! Thank you for all was, is, and is yet to be!
Here's my message that was sent earlier this semester...
Dear friends,
With Welcome Week over, new routines slowly being established, and the football team, well, being the football team, I would be remiss if I did not take advantage of the lull in the action on campus and write this overdue note.
Life changes life. When my niece and nephew—Isabella and Mathias—arrived in the world, my family, who was already close, grew even closer. I didn’t think it was possible, but we really did. And now, I cannot imagine life without the two of them. Recently, I have come to appreciate how death has had a similar effect. The unexpected death of my parents, Ralph and Mary, has changed my life and that of my family.
Death is a reality of life; a reality I wish I didn’t have to experience. But at one point or another, we all must experience this reality. It is something we will have to grow into, and for myself, it has been and continues to be a slow process.
Thankfully, there has been much help along the way. As I walk through this bitter valley of life, I am grateful for all your messages, texts, calls, letters, and more that have come my way. These are signs of the friendship and faith we share, and I cherish them and take great comfort in them.
Still, I have been overwhelmed by your desire to be with me in this most trying moment of my life. First, this desire manifested itself in a campus bench in memory of my parents, and then, it quickly grew to be something more. My parents loved a good outdoor bench. Matter of fact, they loved them so much that at home, they would bring the benches in during our tough Omaha winters, making them, much to the anguish of us kids, everyday furniture around the house. Thanks to you, they now have a bench on campus, outside Corby Hall. If my parents were here, they would be ecstatic. And I am just thankful I don’t have to take the bench in for winter!
Still yet, with the reminder of the funds raised, combined with a most generous donation, a scholarship has been established at the University, given to a resident of our Hall, and it has already started to give a yearly scholarship to a resident of Steds.
Indeed, life changes life, and thanks to you these gifts will change the lives of others. Whether taking in the beautiful view of the setting sun on St. Mary's Lake or receiving assistance to make a Notre Dame education a reality, lives will be changed thanks to you, and my parents would be humbled knowing it was all done in their honor.
“For the kids” is something we often say at St. Ed’s. Sometimes, we say it in jest and at other times, we say it to rally our forces to the challenge at hand. During my years, it really has been a guide for me as a rector, and where this all came from was from my mom and dad who were always for us kids. And over the past seventeen years at St. Ed’s, that’s what I have tried to give everyone who has come through its doors, and in the years yet to come, I will only continue to try. For the kids!
I am grateful for all the years, all the moments, and of course, all the Yacht Dances too. And now, I am grateful for all you have done for me and my parents.
For Hall and King,
Haag
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