I LOVE YOU, POPS!!

I LOVE YOU, POPS!!

                          (Don Travis - the greatest man I will ever know.)


It was 25 years ago today that I lost the greatest man I will ever know -- my dad.

He was a fighter, but he succumbed to cancer on Dec. 28, 1987. I still remember that day. I wish I couldn't.

             (His body may be here in Hudson, Ohio, but his spirit lives on in my heart.)


But that's just one sad moment. There are so, so, so many great moments and memories I have of my dad. Of my Pops.

 

                      (He was always a loving, nurturing father.)


He was all about family. My Pops loved my mom. Love doesn't seem like a big enough word. He adored her. He cherished her.

                                                        
                                (My dad cherished my mom.)


And I know he loved his boys -- Scott, Gregg and me -- as well.

His love of family started out at a young age. My Pops was close with his only sibling, his sister, Marcia.

                             (My dad and his sister, Marcia.)


That love was evident with his family. He cared for us...deeply. He had a giant heart.

             (Younger and older, my dad often wore a smile. I try to emulate that today.)

He didn't just love us kids. He loved the kids he taught as well. My dad was an awesome Spanish teacher at Shaker Heights High School. The students loved him in return.

                  (My dad loved his students, and the students loved him.)

I remember my dad talking about his students and smiling. He really cared about them.

I remember my dad helping me with my Spanish homework. I really liked that!

I remember my dad sitting in his rocking chair in a corner of the room, a perfect place to watch television and relax.

I remember my dad picking up our dog, Scamp, and holding him in his lap. Nobody else could do that.

I remember my dad listening to Cleveland Indians' and Cleveland Cavaliers' games on the radio. I would walk in and say, "What's the score, Pops?" He would say something like, "4 to 2" or "77 to 72." He would never say who was winning. I guess maybe because I didn't ask. But that ALWAYS gave me a chuckle.

I remember having to go to bed on Monday nights so I could get some sleep and be ready for school on Tuesdays. My Pops would ALWAYS write down the final score of the Monday Night Football game for me... and who won!!... and leave it for me at my place at the kitchen table.

I remember huddling together and watching Cleveland Browns' games on television. We would cheer on Bernie Kosar and the boys. They actually used to be good!

I remember him taking me to a Cavaliers game, and we had the time of our life.

I remember him taking me to an Indians game, and he wouldn't sit down until we got the autograph of my favorite player.

I remember him cutting the grass, and getting his lawn just right.

I remember him lying in the sun, working on that perfect tan. My dad REALLY, REALLY liked his sun.

I remember his quickness at cleaning off the kitchen table and grabbing plates...even though the rest of the family was still eating.

I remember vacations with him and the whole family...trips to Myrtle Beach. That place will always hold a special place in my heart.

I remember him cheering for me at Little League games. We would go for ice cream at Saywell's in Hudson after games, win or lose.

I remember him walking around and having funny sayings, like, "Woogie! Woogie!" He made us laugh... A LOT!

He's gone physically, but he's still very much in my heart. He still inspires me. In fact, it took some time, but I finally wrote a book, thanks in large part to my Pops. I dedicated the book to him.

         (Home Run from Heaven, my first book, is dedicated to my Pops.)

I am a little sad today, but I am happy as well. I am happy that God blessed me with such a great dad. I am happy that God gave me 23 years of great memories with my Pops.

I will always remember your laugh, Pops.

I will always remember your smile, Pops.

I will always cherish our memories, Pops.

I will always keep you close to my heart, Pops.

I will always love you, Pops.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas has always meant family to me. Getting to spend time with the ones you love...you can't go wrong there. Some of my favorite memories about Christmas are just being with my mom and dad and brothers. Time has a way of changing things....

When I was a kid, Christmas meant presents to me. Oh, I couldn't wait to rush down the stairs to see what Santa had left.

Of course, I didn't know what Christmas was all about in my early days. I just knew that I liked to be held. My dad and my older brother, Scott, did a good job of doing just that. For some reason, I think I remember feeling safe.

  

I can still remember galloping down the stairs to see what Santa had brought. Of course, galloping down the stairs was a bit tricky when you had a bar stuck between your feet. Ahh, the joys of wearing a leg cast. My parents did this because I was an unruly child. The leg cast prevented me from running away. I KID! I KID! I was born with bad hips and, thus, the reason for the cast. By the way, that's me on the left checking out what my older brother, Scott, got.

I loved spending time with my dad. As you can see, I graduated from a leg cast to leg braces. I blame this on why I never made it professionally as a baseball player or football player. (Well, that and the lack of skills.) I still remember that tearing sound of the velcro, the uncomfortable shoes and not being able to move quite as quickly as I would have liked. But I also remember cuddling with my dad. My gosh, I love that man. (And there again is Scott, trying to cheese in on cuddle time. I KID! I KID!)

As I got a bit older, I still loved presents. But I think I loved my dog more. Here I am on the left holding our dog, Scamp. There is a dog book to the left, a sweet television behind me, and my little brother, Gregg, wearing a sweet sweater, to my right.

For the record, my dad was a stud. He's just straight chillin' on the left and, well, straight chillin' on the right. Sure was a handsome guy, right?

He was a good family man. I know he loved us. That's for sure. And we sure loved him.

He was one of the funniest guys I ever knew. He was quick with a joke or a laugh. He didn't take things too seriously. I see a lot of my dad in me, and that makes me proud and happy.

My dad wasn't just a funny guy. He was an awesome teacher as well. He was a Spanish teacher for several years at Shaker Heights High School near Cleveland, Ohio. The students loved him!

I've got a lot of great memories of my dad. At Christmas if I got him Aramis cologne or a pen, he would be a mighty happy man.

I remember him being in charge of throwing away the wrapping paper on Christmas Day. We would tear open our gifts, throw the wrapping paper his way and he would shove it down in a big plastic trash bag. Sometimes he would hold our dog, Scamp, in his lap while doing so. Scamp wouldn't let anybody else do that but my dad.

I remember him always sitting in his rocking chair. He loved that rocking chair. And he loved us. He loved his kids. He adored my mom.

It's hard to believe, but on Dec. 28, my dad will have been gone for 25 years. Ever since he got sick and succumbed to cancer in 1987, Christmas has never been the same to me. There are mixed feelings of sadness and joy.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. But I think about him even more at this time of the year. I used to wonder what life would be like if he were still with us. I wondered if he would have been proud of me.

I finally realized that he is still with me. He's very much with me. He's still on my mind and, more importantly, he's still in my heart. Where he will always be.

I thank God for the time that I did get to spend with my dad. My dad continues to be an inspiration.

Like I said, Christmas has always meant family to me. Getting to spend time with the ones you love...you can't go wrong there. Some of my favorite memories about Christmas are just being with my mom and dad and brothers. Time has a way of changing things....

We may not always be together physically, but we'll always be together spiritually. My family will always be in my heart.

Merry Christmas, Pops!!

I love you!!

SKYLER'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

Need a last-minute gift or stocking stuffer? How about getting a book written by a famous author? Or how about getting a book written by a ruggedly handsome, dashing, fearless macho man? Or even better yet....how about getting a book written by me?!?!

Skyler's Magical Christmas, published on Dec. 6 of this year, is my second book. It is my first book geared more toward children (ages 1 to 99). Hey, isn't there a little kid in all of us?

 

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:

Skyler has been a good girl all year long. The sweet, silly, pretty eight-year-old, who has long blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and a huge smile, wants what many kids want for Christmas. Skyler wants a puppy. The family already owns one dog, an old, quiet gal by the name of Tasha. But Skyler wants a puppy to call her very own. When Skyler wakes up and races to see what is under the tree on Christmas morning, she sees that her wish has come true. She gets a cute puppy that she names Rowdy. But that’s not the only surprise Skyler gets. The Magical Christmas Dog Biscuits that Santa gives Skyler for the dogs make for an even bigger surprise. It all leads to some silly adventures for Skyler, Rowdy, and Tasha.

THE REVIEWS:

It has received some great reviews already, and I sincerely thank those of you who have left them. The three reviews on Amazon all earned 5 out of 5 stars!

First of all, this is a delightful story...,
This story really was delightful. Full of Christmas magic, fun puppy shenanigans, and lots of warmth, it's a story all ages can enjoy. I read it in one short sitting and found myself giggling out loud many times. I plan to have my third grader read it, too. I can see this becoming a Christmas tradition at our house for many Christmases to come! Great job, Kevin Travis!


Great Story!
I just loved this story! It's one of those reads that pull you in from the first paragraph. Well written and just one of those strories that make you want to believe in Santa and Christmas! I recommend this to all ages. Kids will enjoy it as much as this middle aged adult did! Nice job!


The perfect holiday gift!!
I bought this in Kindle format, because my daughter is getting a Kindle for Christmas! What a wonderful way for her to begin her Kindle adventure, but through a well-written story about a girl and magical biscuits!! This book is easy to read and a pleasure to read, and would make for the perfect gift this Christmas!

HOW TO GET THE BOOK:

You can order a paperback copy ($6.99 plus shipping) from Createspace.com via Amazon at this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Skylers-Magical-Christmas-believe/dp/1481193988/ref=la_B009SCI224_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355507619&sr=1-2


You can order a Kindle/digital copy ($0.99 cents) via Amazon at this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Skylers-Magical-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00AJWFMRU/ref=la_B009SCI224_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1355507619&sr=1-3


You can order a signed copy from me ($8.00, which includes shipping). Just send me an email to:
kevtrav77@yahoo.com.


If you want a copy of both my books, or my first book, "Home Run from Heaven," you can obtain those at the link below. Or, again, if you want signed copies, email me at kevtrav77@yahoo.com
http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224

A SNEAK PEAK WITH PICTURES:

My friend, Skyler, is on the cover of Skyler's Magical Christmas. I loved this kid from the moment I met her -- on a softball field during a tournament. I interviewed her about the tournament. This sweet, young girl gave me a better interview than a lot of the high school, college and pro athletes I have covered! (Thank you to Skyler and her parents, Joyce and David, for their help with this project.)

EXCERPTS from SKYLER'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS.....

Skyler, who is pretty and sweet, is eight years old.  She has long blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and a really sweet smile.

 

 

 

 

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“You are a smart little girl,” Santa said.  “I certainly have.  I know you have been a really good girl this year.  I’ve got your list, but go ahead and tell Santa again exactly what you want.”

Skyler smiled.  It was a smile that seemed to light up even brighter than the Christmas tree next to Santa’s chair.  She looked into Santa’s eyes and said just two words.

“A puppy!”

 

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It was true.  Skyler and her family already had a dog.  Tasha was a nine-year-old female Olde English Bulldogge.  She was short, stocky, and powerful looking.  Tasha had short white hair and a little stub of a tail.  She looked tough, but she was super sweet.  Tasha could get a little grumpy at times if she didn’t get lots of rest.  She was rather lazy and wanted to sleep ninety-nine percent of the time.

 

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Skyler can be a girly-girl like her mom, wanting to play dress up and have tea with her dolls.  She can also be a tomboy, taking after her dad, who played football and baseball in high school.  Skyler is a great softball player.  She is also a cheerleader.

 

 

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“Are you ready, little girl?” Santa asked.  “Come tell Santa what you want for Christmas.”

Skyler gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek and then ran to Santa.  She looked up at him, smiled, jumped up, and landed on Santa’s lap. 

 

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“You will find out on Christmas,” the jolly man said.  “I think you will be most happy with what they can do.  But before you open the biscuit bag, you have to say, ‘I believe.  I believe.  I believe.’  Otherwise, they won’t work.”

“I do believe,” Skyler said.  “I believe in you, and I believe in the Magical Christmas Dog Biscuits.”

 

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TASHA WAS SWEET, BUT she was a bit older.  She could be a little stubborn.  If somebody called her, she would go… but only if she wanted.  If somebody told her to sit, she would… but only if she wanted.  If somebody wanted her to lie down… well, Tasha was pretty much always lying down and snoring.  Tasha liked to sleep.

 

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It ended up being one of Skyler’s favorite days of all.  She and her mom made snow angels.  She and her dad built a snowman.

All three had a snowball fight.  And all three went sledding.  Skyler and her dad were really good about staying on the sled all the way down the hill.  The mom never quite got the hang of it.  The three laughed and laughed.

 

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“Santa did it!” Skyler yelled.  “Santa got me the puppy I wanted!”

 

 

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Just then, it started to snow.  Tasha did not like the snow.  Rowdy loved it.  He liked to run around in it.  He liked to stand still, stick out his tongue, and let snowflakes land on it.

 

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Too late.  Rowdy was gone.  He ran like crazy to the outfield, picked up the ball in his mouth, and then ran back on the infield.

 

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The family took the dogs with them on vacation to the beach.  It was Tasha’s ninth trip to the beach.  She did not get too excited about it.  In fact Tasha treated the beach much like home.  She slept.  She slept A LOT!

Rowdy was super excited.  It was his first trip to the beach.  He could not wait to get out and explore.

Skyler put on her bathing suit.  She put on her sunglasses and grabbed a plastic bucket and a shovel.

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More weeks passed until it was Halloween.  Skyler dressed up as a pirate.  She dressed Tasha like a cheerleader and Rowdy like a lion.

 “I still don’t see why we can’t eat some of your chocolate candy,” Rowdy said to Skyler.  “You certainly got a lot of it.”

Tasha tried to explain it to Rowdy again.

 

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Skyler thanked Santa, gave him a hug, and hopped off his lap.  She took a few steps away and then turned around to say something to Santa.

“I will always believe!”