Daniel posted a symbolic gesture
Monday, August 26, 2024
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Heath Dilts
I'm in complete shock right now- I just found out and it doesn't even seem real. I'm not only going to miss you- but I've been missing you. You messaged me in 2020 and we talked briefly- and we were going to get together and chop it up a few weeks later and now tonight- 4 years later- I had the most random dream with you and Mike Jones in it- out of nowhere. I go to message you and I see all these messages on your page and I honestly didn't put it together until I saw the obituary.
Where do I even fucking begin.....
I guess I'll start with the obvious- the Bills suck dude. I know it, you know it. I remember playing Madden 92 at your parents old house, the one where the ambulance used to run players over on the field. We used to trade each football cards- I would get the Cowboys cards, you would get the Bills cards.
We would play wiffle ball and the home run was over the neighbors tall fuckin wood fence. We would play Monopoly for hours using my house rules of snake eyes and extra money. Those games took forever. I would go to your Washington Redskins games even though I was too big to play. Of course we would also ball- those early years of winter basketball were incredible although I don't think we were ever on the same team haha.
Heath told me a story in our chat in 2020 about one of the years playing winter ball. Him and Mike (Comick) were on the same team and my team lost to them in the championship game but I won MVP (btw- how the hell Heath remembered this is beyond me)....and in my acceptance speech of the trophy I apparently said "There's no I in team, but there's an I in Daniel- and I AM the team"......that's wild.
We won i don't even know how many Hoop It Up trophies- I'd have to go count them, we were also robbed one year. That one hurt. We had some great teams- Heath, Comick, Dubiel, Jones, Me- we had a few different teams but for a bunch of mostly white kids from warren county we were competitive.
We were always playing basketball at the Park. From 6th grade we would be playing with guys out of college or older. I couldn't count how many days we went there over the course of 8 years- thousands of games. I miss those days- the days when Comick was trying to dunk and Jones thought he was Steph Curry. The year I showed up for Warren Hills summer ball and played on the all black (except me) team you were playing that day. I swear I think that team name was Roots. (Sorry Jost)....it was hilarious though.
Somehow I got duped by you and Justin to play AAU ball with a coach that had a green rotten tooth. I still have that Jersey btw-. Watching Dubiel powerhouse a 20 piece meal, and then also eating most of my food was insane.
I don't regret quitting basketball senior year- but I do regret not watching those games with you and the boys. I was done- but I could have supported you guys. That's on me.
Below is Heath's message to me in 2020 I'm not going to post my replies because they are personal but- I love you Heath- you were my best friend for the longest time and I'm going to miss you.
2/1/20, 8:56 AM
Heath
Heath Dilts
I am your best friend from day 1.... if we ain’t, playing monopoly, with extra money, playing techmo, Tyson’s punch out, and going to see the dawgs...
Heath
Then no one is your friend.... I miss those days my brotha.. hope you’re doing well
Heath
Heath Dilts
Mad Max was asking about ya
