Ode to Tig

November 4th, as I was on Facebook, I noticed I had a reminder for birthdays.  Scanning through, there was a note that my cousin, Tyler Pulsipher, should be celebrating another birthday.

Now, I suppose you can't blame Facebook for not getting the memo that people who have passed on--while they are still "on a mission" in a sense--are probably NOT getting any Facebook-checking-P-day-time, so it really would be fruitless to try to say happy birthday.

Nevertheless, seeing the reminder right there before my eyes (rather than make me sad like I thought it would) brought back a lot of happy memories that just made me smile.

And so, while I was not able to celebrate another year with him, here is an ode to Tyler Pulsipher.

Tyler "Tig" "Puls"ispher

To the man who always danced to the beat of his own drum

And sometimes even danced with no drum at all

Quirky, funny, crazy...

Volunteering, serving, giving

In the quietest ways--

teaching chess to elementary students,

listening,

blogging,

helping people struggling with cancer

and their families

Constantly reading intellectual books that would take me a dictionary

and probably a year to get through

Staying up on politics, sports, and world events

with an opinion to share about each,

Always cheering for BYU sports

as well as other sports--

especially baseball,

the true American sport.

Here we are last St. Patrick's Day, 2011

There will never be St. Patrick's Day I won't think of you--

Red beard, green tie, taking pictures as the leprechaun. 

No one could pull off Hulk Hogan or Moses quite the same way

as you managed to on Halloween.

Rocking the Moses Costume, Real Beard & All

For the man who, though small, 

lived in a very big way.

Who decided to "get busy living" rather than "get busy dying"

And courageously faced setbacks with humor 

To the "homeless man" who graced BYU Women's Conference,

The missionary in Cambodia,

The party planner with the disco ball and backdrop,

The karaoke singer, 

The mathematician, 

The adventurer, scholar, and thinker.

To the man who inspired me become better 

but still love and accept myself 

Without worrying about the things I cannot change:

Thank you.

That's right, folks.  I caught the leprechaun.

My life is better because you were part of it.  Thank goodness you always will be. 

Happy Birthday.