Oliver’s Last Hurrah

 

The day it began in 2017 signing day, we were so proud

I awoke on this first day of January 1, 2024, in a sentimental melancholy mood. A new year perhaps, but still tying up loose ends from the years before, and the sadness that January brings with it, once a month full of hope, gladness, and celebrations, the month when the Patriarch of our personal Lane family was born and also took his last breath, it has lost some of its luster, not all, just some, Curt shared this birth month with our granddaughter Sophia Rose, who on the 19^th will be 18, along with his creative and artistic abilities. So we gladly celebrate her and remember him!

To be recognized on The Rock what a lasting remembrance and highlight

Today our Oliver Trent Lane, Ollie Lane #78, our Big O’, will take his last VOL Walk, his last entrance onto ‘the field, the gridiron, the turf, as he finishes up his approximately 20 of years of playing football.

Oliver is our gentle giant, with big dreams, large life goals, and the ability to achieve all the afore mentioned. Football has given first Hunter, and then Oliver a way to pay for their educational goals. I have always called these steppingstones to their future. Hunter paved the way for his baby brother and has now reached the point of pursuing his career path in the military, after receiving his BS, and Master’s. 

Oliver has spent 6 years at the University of Tennessee, he has a BS, a dual Masters, and as of December 2023 another Graduate degree has a result of his book smart pursuits. He has future goals of being a Medical Physician, my hope is that his pathway and knowledge has prepared him for the road ahead and he too will in the future achieve success as he follows his dreams. “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

Along with this day, for me, comes the overwhelming memory laden years of Lane men, in pads and cleats on the football field of dreams, on stadium fields of green. #74 Curtis Andrew Lane, #68 Christopher Todd Lane, #76 Hunter Reed Lane, #78 Oliver Trent Lane. All played and all did not escape without a multitude of injuries, but as Curt like to say, “Lane men strong like bull”, but I also know Lane men have tender hearts, generous souls, and great love. At the end of the day, when they take off their uniforms and wipe the sweat and dirt off of their faces, they are still little boys who are loved by their Mama’s and their Dadda’s and are good human beings.

The Lane Men Curt, Chris, Hunter, Oliver

Oh how proud our Big O' was to be given this honor to carry the flag into Neyland...

I have been blessed in my life to have been well loved first by my parents, Byron, and Muriel and brothers, Byron Jr., Jim, Andy and then by my beloved husband Curt, and our children, Chris and Amy, along with their spouses, Barbara, Mark, and our four grandchildren Hunter, Oliver, Sophia, Lydia. Today, I am happy and fulfilled, but on highlighted eventful days like today I have the sorrowful regret that Curt is not here in person to give his head noogies and atta boyos’ and girlyos’, to his dearly beloved grandchildren, he was and still is ever so proud of each and every standout and standdown moment that each have achieved.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your constant and abiding love. We ask that you watch over our Oliver as he plays the game of football one last time. Give him the strength, courage and where with all to complete and compete to the best of his abilities, knowing you are with him, in his comings and his goings. We ask Your blessing on the game we are about to play. Give each one of us the courage to play the game in a manner, which by our words and our actions, is pleasing to You. Let us enter into the competition in a spirit of sportsmanship and with respect for members of the opposing team. Amen

In 2010 after Curt's passing Oliver was over for a visit 
 when he left he handed me this Lego creation,
it touched my heart and so today I end with this
"right back at you #2"