Friday, May 1, 2009

In Praise of Ben Sather

Ben, in sports terms, you have been an amazing mid-season pick-up of a brother. I thought a lot about family around the time that you and Heather got married. One of the things I thought about was how each person adds a unique piece to the functioning of a family. When a family is together but one person is missing, well the family functions differently. And when one gets added, who knows what is going to happen? Call it family chemistry.

Well, the point is, it has been amazing how much our family's chemistry has been changed, for the better, because of you. We were never a nickname family until you came along, but now we all have several (KWeb, Ciesel, Ozzman, Hannibal to name a few). We've all seen more concerts, and had much better seats at them than we would have otherwise. We've been introduced to great music.

But those are just a few of the things that are easy to name. There's also the ways that you add humor and friendship to our lives. The way you helped get us all through Dad's death, and preserved your new marriage to Heather through such a traumatic event. The way that Ben Webster found a best friend and a musical ally in you when he needed both. And, the fact that you have, along with Heather, introduced to the world one of the most precious people it has known.

Ben, you're a great brother and I'm glad to have you as one. I can tell you are a great husband and father too. Thank you for wearing all these hats so well. Thanks for adding so much to our family and making it what it is today.

Way to go on training through a bad knee, on committing to run the half marathon this June. I know you can and will do it!

5 comments:

Ben S. said...

Caleb - thank you for all those nice words. It means a lot to me.

Your efforts with running have certainly been an inspiration to me. Keep up the good work!

As much as I love Heather, much of the best part of getting married has been taking on the rest of the Webster crew.

Again, thanks for such nice thoughts.

Heather said...

i love my husband. he's the best. i'll write more later, but i just wanted to say that he deserves the praise and i'm so glad he has been such a great part of the webster family. and i'm glad he's my family. i love you, ben sather.

Jaime Kim said...

Yes, Ben Sather is quite deserving of much praise.

Ben is great. He has always been a part of the Webster Family for me. I can't imagine not having around.

Ben is a wonderful husband, dad, brother, son to all of us. And oh yes...and one kick #?! lawyer.

I love that I have another ally in the family that is a Braves fan. I hope that he will encourage Evey to be loyal a Braves fan.

But mostly I hope that you continue to remain healthy. Keep running and exercising and playing.

Much love.

MamaWebsterJames said...

Ben, we are glad to have you in our family. Thank you for encouraging Ben to be more active, taking him golfing, etc. And thanks for being a good role model for all of us, especially Evey, to be more active and stay healthy.

Love,
Kathy

Hannibal said...

Ben,
You are a true scholar, right on par with Henry. I have been so lucky to have you as my brother in law. I am so honored that you drove up here even though you had hectic work schedule just to watch me walk down that graduation aisle. Also, I appreciate all you do for me and all you have done for me. Thanks for preparing a Mexican feast for me and for providing hours of laughter in my life. You also make me cooler by introducing me to good bands, to helping me keep up to date on sports, and keeping me quick-witted so that I can respond to your wit.
I have had so much fun watching Evey grow and am so lucky, honored, happy, etc that you let me watch her and take part in her life. You are a great dad and she is lucky to have you.
I love you Sath.
Sports?
And I'm glad you're a part of our family and a fellow ride lover.