If the adage is true that we’re only as rich as the quality of friends we have, the Pilands of Snohomish are freakin’ T. Boone Pickens.
Went to the Dave Piland Charity Golf Classic at Snohomish Golf Course today. A write-up will appear in Saturday’s paper. I apologize ahead of time. I simply don’t have the writing skill to capture the love I saw today.
It wasn’t a golf scramble. It was a love fest for a family that’s shown more courage under the most difficult circumstances than I can imagine.
If you don’t know the story, Dave Piland is the public-address announcer for the Everett Silvertips. A father of four, Piland, 42, learned nearly two years ago that he had a particularly dangerous strain of brain cancer. He’s fought it with great faith and courage, but it appears now that these are his last days with us.
As was displayed today, his friends are legion.
And they loved it when Dave arrived at the tournament, with the aid of a wheelchair and a loving family, who made certain he saw and talked to, seemingly, each and every adoring person there.
One man I didn’t know grabbed Dave by the shoulders and told him that he didn’t care what the rest of the day brought — he said the best part of the day was now, because Dave made it to the tournament. I’ll never forget that because it was one of many times today I fought back tears.
It’s impossible to meet the Pilands and not immediately like them. Dave’s wife, Lisa, is a smiling, hug machine whose prodigious faith and compassion carry her through what must be nearly unbearably difficult days. You’d never know it. The woman’s emotional strength is ridiculously awe-inspiring. Sons T.J. and Greg are two who worked long, long hours to organize the tournament and the dinner/silent auction that followed. In their early 20s, both are impressive young guys forced to mature in a hurry. And I’ve heard nothing but shining things about Crissy, 11, and Katie, 9. Dave and Lisa have every reason to be proud of their children.
Hundreds of their friends and people they don’t even know have helped them in every way possible. Some have brought food, saving Lisa (and/or anyone else) the trouble of cooking. Others have done yardwork. Others have helped financially. Lowell DeYoung, Dave’s boss at DeYoung’s Farm and Garden in Woodinville, kept Dave on full salary and benefits — even when Dave could no longer work. The community — several communities, really — have banded together to help good people who have needed it.
People surrounded Dave today as though he were Mick Jagger. All they wanted was to share a hug or a good word or give him an emotional boost. I watched as they, themselves, came away smiling, having received a boost Dave, in turn, gave to them. Don’t ask me how, but I’m learning that Dave has that gift. It’s one skill the cancer hasn’t taken.
And that’s the best aspect of this whole thing. Just when you think you have the world pegged, just when you think we’re stuck only with those you just hope experience the sensation of a body-wide rash, people show their hearts and do all they can to help others — purely out of love.
“Humanity” begins with “human.” I’m believing in it more and more every day.
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