AIRPORT LUXEMBOURG : April 1st 2013
40 eyes filled with sadness and regret ...
following the departure of their mind-blowing buddy, pointing to the counter of "check-out" ...
Let's return a few months back! We all believe that you only came to the GdL some couple of weeks ago, the temperatures outside on your arrival were comparable to those felt, this morning at 5 o'clock when we left our cars at the aerport station.
We all remember - beginning of November 2012 : our coach and our man team agreed that this season might become a very long one, the atmosphere within the team increasingly tense, additional victories seem becoming rare and the risk of being relegated to the 1st division increased significantly.
The Committee draws the same conclusions and was aware of the need to act quickly! The advantage of a caring and pro-active coach is that this one already spent his last nights to follow up on the net a so-called "incredible and exceptional" guy looking to join a volley-club in Europe - "The man we needed!". Having barely digested our last adventure in the matter; I do not wish "to rub salt in the wounds"; the committee decided to caste his net to another continent and gave his OK for the beginning of a new challenge.
The wheels of hard organization and difficult administrative homework turned, and the operation "BKN" became reality with the flight reservation for Nov. 18th 2012.
All the players hold the breath when our "Presi" entered the sports hall, accompanied by our "Sunny-Boy" ... we could immediately feel and enjoy his positive energy and warm radiation. We were convinced that this boy, dressed in short sleeve shirt, beach shoes without socks and without underwear (oh ladies, what a pity to tell you this only now ;o) )) could indeed be our hero and help us in saving our season.
Reader, you can be sure of this, he was able to accomplish his mission, mission to lead the team, to carry out his responsibilities, to take the role of the scapegoats in difficult situations and to show our young and even our experienced players that a good team performance is the unique way to meet and beet all adversary, being on a same eye level.
I do not see the added value of reviewing our past sporting achievements, we all knew, lived and highly appreciated together. One thing for sure, more than Blaines' sports skills forges our memory and impacts the Walfer Volleyball spirit.
Our "sunny-boy" shared with us a part of the well-known "american way of life" :
Being dynamic and pragmatic. No time to rest, but always striving to "get ahead"; judging by achievement: "deeds, not creeds" are what count. The "American Way of Life" is "forward-looking" and optimistic. The American believes in progress and in self-improvement. But above all, the American is idealistic. Americans cannot go on making money or achieving worldly success simply on its own merits; such "materialistic" things must, in the American mind, be justified in "higher" terms, in terms of "service" or "team-spirit" or "general welfare"
Blaine : "thank you for sharing this spirit with us".
Beyond all this positive facts we all had this morning a lot of true regrets while seeing you to leave us for meeting your family and friends and for going back to the fabulous coasts of California with its 280 guaranteed days of sun .... We especially regret that due to this fully sports schedule we didn't have sufficient time to share with you the true beauties of Luxembourg and Europe, and that this, for Europe extreme winter conditions during the last 4 months, mainly encouraged you to spent the entire day under your suitable duvet and to follow the news and life on the net.
Last but not least : Benny already regrets his dogs hitter, Bob his older brother and English teacher, your young buddies and friends should in future "going out" alone, the Walfer supporters and team members already miss your new wind blowing and positive energy and the committee already lament the end of one of their greatest and positive challenge.
We all wish you the best of luck and happiness for the upcoming month, and if after 2 month of heatwave you feel ready to come back to Luxembourg, we will show you that the Grand-Duchy and Europe have to offer more than 4 months of snow and coldness ... book your flight and don't forget your team-shirt and your sport shoes ... you are always Welcome in Walferdange!
I will leave our Buddy Blaine with an unforgettable "A boom ..... chagalagga" and a hearty "Bambouchaaaaaaaa".
On behalf of the committee, It gives me pleasure, on this occasion to express my sincere thanks and appreciation (and I'm sure Blaine that you fully agree) to the legendary Serge who maid all this possible, thanks to his personal involvement, which have crossed all imaginable boundaries of common sense.
Mexx alias Mexikoooooooooo
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