A Heartfelt Thank You to Coach Neal
Editor’s note: David Johnson is the father of sons who are Lobo basketball fans and a daughter who lost her life in a hiking accident in the Sandias.
It feels like it was only yesterday; however, in a few more weeks it will be two years. On May 09, 2015, the day before Mother’s Day, our daughter went missing in the Sandia Mountains.
After several days of searching for Brittany, late on Thursday, the search and rescue team informed us that they were about to suspend the search. Friday would be the last day. I cannot tell you the horror of knowing your daughter is missing, may be injured, and may have spent several cold nights alone waiting for her dad to come and save her. The devastation and reality of being told that shortly no more skilled efforts would be forthcoming — I just dropped to my knees.
Within 30 minutes of that crushing news, Coach (Craig) Neal called me. I had never personally met the coach, and yet, he tracked me down and got my number. He was choked up as he spoke, and he told me that he was about to go on the radio and ask for volunteers to come out and help in the search. The next day, several strangers showed up, and that evening my daughter’s body was located.
To this day, I believe in my soul that had it not been for the caring of our departing coach, I may have been forced to stare out my window at those Sandias, wondering if they still had the remains of my daughter.
But, Neal’s efforts didn’t stop. The next week he had autographed basketballs sent to my two young boys’ elementary school. Not sure how he knew which school that was, but, he found out. And, after a week filled with tears, my boys were finally able to smile. Someone that they had admired from the stands took the time to let them know that he cared. He continued to care every time he invited my older boy to practice (even if closed), and paused practice to walk over, shake his hand, and tell him it was good to see him. To a young mind, that is priceless.
It will hurt this year seeing my boys look to the bench and not find their coach, but he will not be forgotten. In life, winners and losers are not determined by scoring more points. While games may need to be won, winners will always be measured by the actions of one’s heart. Our community will soon be losing a caring individual and a good man.
Craig, from the Johnsons, we thank you for your heart. You are truly a winner to us, and when you leave a piece of our hearts, and our daughter’s, will go with you. We wish you and your family nothing but the best in your new adventures.
With all our Love,