I am sad to announce the passing of Adam Ball, the son of Charles Ball. Charles is a long time real estate industry friend, formerly of the Thanksgiving Property Group. Both Bill Street, Mary Street’s husband, and I had the wonderful time of coaching Adam on the 2006 Orem City Mets. I am taking this opportunity to share with all of you the details about the funeral and the viewing which take place both tonight and tomorrow morning. I hope that those of you that feel so inclined can get your schedules arranged on short notice to be able to attend.

I shared with my fellow home inspectors around the nation earlier this morning the following...

Fellow Inspectors:

I was shocked to receive notice that one of my 11 year old baseball players from last year’s Little League team died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage. This came as quite a surprise as one moment he was here with us in mortality and the next moment he was gone. This brought on an immediate passing and it causes me to once again stop and reflect. As my son was his teammate and I was one of his coaches, it could have just as easily been one of us. Life is so fragile on so many levels, and yet some are called upon to endure hardships for so long while others are taken home quickly. Adam’s dad was one of our assistant coaches and he must be devastated with the suddenness of the death. It makes one want to immediately grab all of those around them that they care about and tell them how much they are loved.  Reading Adam’s obituary helped put the family’s perspective to the forefront as they celebrate his life with the confidence that they will be united with their son once again.

Last night, after hearing the news, Shelly and I gathered our kids together and took upon ourselves the task of creating obituaries for each one of our kids. We did this as a family and each one of our kids beamed as they heard all of the good things that each one of the other family members had to say about them. It makes you stop and think about what we are really making of our lives. Are we a blessing or a curse to those around us? Some of us are obviously being kept around a little longer in an attempt to purge the bad and bring out the good. Young men like Adam Ball are a pleasure to be around and to coach. I can think of no finer young man to have had on our team last year. He never complained and he gave it his all, no matter what position he was assigned. This young man had the build of a Randy Johnson and his pitching was progressing in that same fashion. He could hit too as he was a naturally gifted athlete. I will miss him very much! It is amazing at how easy it is to open my work schedule to attend the funeral tomorrow.

Thanks so much to all of you. Consider yourselves group hugged and know that I have a deep love and respect for all of you who have been such a support to me over the years. I promise to continue trying to purge the cursed aspects of my personality in favor of offering a helping hand.

Michael Leavitt – Orem, Utah

Here is the obituary…

Adam Mitchell Ball returned home to Our Heavenly Father on Friday, June 8, 2007 after a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. Adam was born on May 27, 1994 in Provo, Utah to Charles and Janette Ball. Adam was full of love and always smiling. He worked hard at whatever he did. He was an A student and had just finished his Eagle Scout project. He loved sports, the outdoors and playing his trumpet. He loved to play with his brothers and sisters and his dog Ann. He is greatly missed by his parents, his brothers David and Taylor, his sisters Danielle, Amanda, Marie, Jennifer and Sarah. His grandparents are Charles and LaRee Ball and John and Brenda Moon. We love you, Adam! Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cherry Hill 6th Ward Chapel, 1650 South 200 East, Orem. Friends may call at Berg Mortuary of Orem, 500 North State Street on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 from 6 until 8 p.m., or on Wednesday morning at the church from 9 until 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to info@Berg Mortuary.com. Published in the Daily Herald on 6/11/2007.

Within minutes of sharing the information I started to receive well wishes to pass along to the family.

Thanks for sharing and putting my feet back on the ground, my son will be 11 soon. Best, David Baillargeon - Bend, Oregon

Michael, Please send my love and well wishes to the family. I will ask our church and family and friends to lift them in prayer. Somehow God will see them through it. With my deepest respect Joel Burrow - Oregon

Thanks for sharing and my prayers are on the way... Jeff Herboldshimer - Live Oak, CA

Michael, Your story brought tears to my eyes as I could not help but feel great sadness for a family I do not even know and at the same time think of the grief if it were to be our child.  Stories like this really make me think after I have lost my temper and yelled at the girls when they have played with their food for the umpteenth time at one meal, or when they have picked the flowers after being repeatedly asked not to.  Does any of that really matter?  Nope.  Thanks for reminding us all that each day is important and to make sure people know they matter to you while you still can. Best wishes, Misty Buckley - Oregon

Michael, My condolences to the family and all that knew him. As you know well, personally, illness within a family can be quite challenging, and quite the roller coaster ride. My oldest son of 3 boys, 20 years old this year, is lying in bed for almost 1 year now almost completely paralyzed, in and out of short comas from brain tumors that just will not give up. After 1 year of radiation, 2 surgeries and multiple types of Chemo, the doctors have nothing left in their magic bag of tricks that they know of. He is a Leukemia survivor from when he was 2 years old, and now the gift that keeps on taking has returned in an even worse form- from the long term effects of the radiation treatments 15 years ago. His time in this world will be short, and he will be missed terribly when this is over. Life is clearly more than working, making money, saving for retirement, and running ourselves into the ground. Enjoy all around you that matter, for they/ or we could be gone in a flash... Regards to all, JAMES STRALEY - Oregon

Hi Michael, That is so sad what has happened.  I thought I would send you a really nice poem as an attachment.  My lovely wife Jessica's older sister died young and someone gave her parents this poem.  We found it when Jesses Dad died a few months ago and we were going though his things in Australia.  Jess made a copy of this so it is not in the greatest shape as it is almost 40 years old.  Do what you want with this as it really is something to help take some of the edge off the pain.  Please give our best to the family. Barry Glickman - Oregon

When The Lord Knocks Early

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