Wing Side Up

By Bob Gangwer

“La Familia”

(Reprinted from Wailing with Wing Side Up LIVE internet radio show)

Oswego, NY 3/23/09….It’s been other long day here at the gPad. Long for me pales in comparison to how tough it has been for a couple members of our family who are mourning the loss of their son.

Randy and Rhonda Burch epitomize what we try to convey here through this column and on Wailing with Wing Side Up. These people came onto the supermodified scene and instantly made an impact. That impact has been felt by every single race team from coast to coast and to a person it has been a positive impact.

For whatever reason they have taken me under their wing several times and helped me focus on positive solutions to negative issues. Honesty, integrity, determination always comes through when they talk to me about things that I am upset with. Sometimes it’s a simple ‘we understand,’ and usually that’s enough, even though it may not be what I wanted to hear at the time, because I know they care about me as a friend and understand that I’ll get it eventually.

Again, as I’ve had to do several times in the history of this column, or since I’ve been involved in a closer way than just a fan, I am a loss. It is my turn now to tell them, “we understand.” Yet who could possible understand what they are going through? Even those who have lost a child know how little can be said to make things easier or better during this tragic time.

I think what’s important to remember right now is that when you want to say something negative about someone involved in this DIVISION or anywhere in life, how really unimportant that issue is in the big scheme of things. I get lost many times in the politics of the DIVISION. I get upset at the excuses and lack of follow through. I am angered that we don’t do more to help ourselves. But then a tragedy like this comes along and I am reminded again of what Eddie Maxon told me one night and something that Randy and Rhonda both have explained to me time and again, in the big scheme of things, supermodified racing doesn’t really matter.

Ya know, I don’t like to argue with Rhonda. Anyone who knows here knows that you won’t ever win. I have no doubt in my mind that this strong willed woman that I love will need all the help she can get now, yet I also know she will not accept much. Randy, well, he’s going to do the best he can to support the woman all love and he won’t argue with her even now.

Here’s our job as I see it, while Eddie, Rhonda and Randy are all correct in saying there are more important things in life than the wrongs and rights of this DIVISION, I would like to think that we all need to use this heartbreak as a way to go into the new season remembering why we do what we do. We need to focus on the good things, work on the bad things, and never forget that we are all in this together to help each other as humans.

Our family is the tightest, most close knit of all short track racing. When one of us hurts, we all hurt, when one of us succeeds we should all be happy. I think we owe Randy and Rhonda that respect that at least for a while now we leave the speculation, animosity, and anger out of the picture and focus on what we can do for each other in the words of our friends-‘can’t we all just get along?” I think we can and it’s up to each of us to grieve with the Burch family and lend our loving support for two people who have given everything to the DIVISION.

—————————————————-

If you would like to leave a comment below for Randy and Rhonda feel free to mark it as such and I’ll be sure they get it. In the meantime please consider sending them a card or note to:

Mr. and Mrs. Randy & Rhonda Burch

7308 Markal Drive

Middleburg Heights, OH 44130

Out of respect to give them time to mourn, friends are asked to refrain from calling Randy and Rhonda directely at this time. Thanks, BG