I main samus now: a story from the beast coast to the best coast

It was a typical Lancaster humid day on the football pitches of Bakers Field located at Franklin & Marshall College and I remember seeing this dude running down the pitch like a coked out chicken with it’s head cut off. He ran with this hidden rage underneath a smile that was larger than the sun itself. The wind slightly breezed through the air, but when he ran, his little quif of hair flung everywhere. There was no blade of grass this guy didn’t touch, and no one he was afraid to touch or brake if he had to. If the situation called for it, there were added insults to small injuries with a swift cut of his tongue as he laughed at a defender he smoked or a quick comment about how the person he just took the ball from might “need to get into the gym.” Throughout the game he was never too quiet and not too loud, but that smile never left his face. As the game continued it was like he became more and more the center piece; the attraction of the game itself. His aura sprayed all over the field and engulfed everyone like a mighty typhoon and absorbed everyone into each exact moment on the pitch. After the game, the joy, banter, enthusiasm and love continued to ooze from him as I just sat and wondered, “who is this Greenley kid?” Several years later, I got the perfect idea about who Ryan Greenly is!!!

Black & White Cookie, Still undefeated, 2017

It was the weekend of May 30, 2011, my 32nd birthday weekend. At that time, a day for a birthday was not good enough. It had to be a weekend. That Friday started out in classic movie style fashion as my friends Catesby, Corey, Brandon, Guilly, Owen, and myself were playing drinking games like most young people do. Don’t you know we chose King’s cup (the best/worst game ever; best for getting drunk, worst for the day after drinking). The night started out well as we were all in good spirits until my foot hit the pavement outside of Catesby’s house and that was the last thing I remember until I arrived at a picnic the following day at Guilly’s house.

When I arrived at the picnic around 1.30p or so, still feeling a ripe, but ready to go for round two, I entered the picnic and asked the host if he or Catesby remember anything from the night before. To my amazement no one remembered much of the night EXCEPT the one quick “black in” moment that we all had which included our friend Brandon on his knees in the middle of the dance floor bobbing his head in a young ladies crotch. We erupted in laughter as that was the only memory that we all had of the previous evening. Exactly like The Hangover, the remaining hours consisted of each guest that entered the party adding a piece of the puzzle that was our previous drunken evening. It was absolutely brilliant and so much fun hearing from our friends how we acted and what we did as we continued to drink more and laughing even more about the memories we lost and the new ones we were making as time went on. that evening. The night ended with the infamous “WAIVERS” brand being started after the host made several “fouls” including the ultimate foul of passing out on the couch….in his own home. The photo evidence of this day is still floating somewhere in the metaverse. I’ve only seen it once, but if you know where it is…hand it over please!

Trippin, Red Rocks, 2014

My birthday’s are never really eventful, but someone was about to change that all in one instance as several of my closest friends and I went downtown pretty early to get started as that Monday was Memorial day and another day off 🙂 Hence, time to have fun. As the night convened I remember seeing so many people from years past; current colleagues, old work mates, acquaintances from the bar. While talking with one of my best friends, Will, I hear a loud eruption as a wedding part rolls in. To my surprise it was a friend from high school, Jesse, who just got married to his lovely wife Beth. To make the occasion even better, my other best and oldest friend Chuck rolls in with TONS of high school people that I hadn’t seen in years. The next few hours were some of the best times of laughing, drinking, having old friends meet new friends and vice versa. Then with a tap on the shoulder, I turned to hear the magic words, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY….”

The happiest of us all

Standing with the biggest shit eating grin on his face was Ryan Greenly, singing at the top of his lungs Happy Birthday. As the song continued more and more of the bar joined him as the 200 plus people grew louder and louder. As I scanned the eyes of all the patrons, their attention was on one thing, singing. It was one of the most humbling and heart felt moments of my entire life. To have so many people singing to me, wishing me well, and blessing the day I was born…was nothing short of amazing. And it all happened because of Ryan Greenly!

About a week ago I was in the car on the way to snowboard with Greenly when he started talking about life and what it means to him and it took me back to the moment I first saw him and then again at my birthday. Greenly gives life and energy without thought because that is who he is. He is a raging ball of energy that consumes energy and gives even more back to the world around him. Of course, I bet he can be a selfish little dunce like anyone can, but when I think of my friend I can only come to one conclusion; a word…love!

Birdman (the uncooked chicken) haha

To make a long story short and a short story less long, I am writing about my friend Ryan Greenly because for me, he embodies what I believe is the essence of love. From the cheeky smile on the pitch, his random awkward and wild jokes, his unwavering availability to stand with his family and friends during difficult times, and thought provoking questions that evoke life altering change, Greenly constantly is lighting up the world to make it a better place and I never see him ask for anything. He lets the world be as it is but fights to make it better in whatever way he can. I am not going to even start explaining his loyalty to those he loves. I would be writing this for the next two or three years. But, the man loves his family, friends, those he holds close more than I can even explain. To give you and idea, a person who worked on human hearts has to have a large heart himself, especially when trying to save lives. How else is he going to fix all the hearts that he breaks….haha Just kidding my dude. If you want an idea about the size of this guys heart, just look at the photo below…

My dude, thank you for so many great memories and more so for being you. I can’t thank you enough for the many times you sat and talked with me thru the hard dark times, and continue to help me begin and share some of the most priceless moments as well. You give and give and give and give and have given so many people so much of yourself. I hope this is just the beginning of your efforts being given back to you. Thank you for being such an incredible friend and I hope that your journey, is far greater than your destination because you deserve it. Let’s keep creating good times and I’ll make sure to stand on a table for your birthday one of these days!

Bon Voyage

#memories #world #Loyal #Motivation #travel #love #Friendship #Mindfullness