Melanie Gonzalez

Well hello, or hola! Blog has not been updated in a while but considering the past 11 days I have had, I have a lot to say. I am not quite sure how to start or how I will possibly be able to tell you all everything that happened but I am going to try.

Tate and I left last Thursday, for our trip with Orphan Hope International to Bogotá, Colombia. We did not know too many people we joined on the trip. We knew David Attaway and I knew Matt Bullen but other than that we joined 40 strangers to a strange place one continent away. I very soon realized just how amazing the 40 strangers were and how blessed we were to be in their company.

Another realization I made early on was the purpose God had for me to be on the trip was not what I thought it would be. I thought I was going to Colombia to love and hug on orphans. I thought that I would some how be a blessing to children, and once I was done I would be able to pat myself on the back. Well the very first day I knew right away that my life as I had been living it was not all God wants for me. Frank that first ride back from St. Maria Institution shared with me his vision of helping the children around the world. I told him that I felt like God had great plans for our fitness ministry, Masterpiece Fitness but I was scared to take the plunge. And then he shared Matthew 6:25

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

WOW! Jesus himself told me not to worry.

The whole week I was gone, I knew God was preparing me for big things. I am not sure what those big things are, but I know I need to be ready.

It would be so much easier if I was still on the mission trip. It is a lot easier to know what to do and be in God’s will when you are surrounded by 40 Christians and you are doing God’s work. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed this morning when I woke up and realized the only reason I had to get up was to grocery shop. So I am asking you all to pray for me as I figure things out and not worry about all the unimportant things.

You might be disappointed I did not dedicate this blog to stories of the amazing children in Colombia. I promise, you will get them all this week. J

As many of you know. I lost my Grandfather the week before I left for Colombia. My Daddy Busker was my Dad’s dad. He was a great man, and I wanted to share the stories I read at his funeral for you all they will give you a glimpse into the man he was”

William Busker went by many names: William, Willie J, Bill, Daddy, Daddy Busker, Busker and when Gramby was mad it was Will-um!

For a brick layer he had the softest hands. He would constantly say that he was uneducated and not very intelligent but he knew everything about anything. He was tight with his money, until you needed something, he’s help out anybody, give you the shirt off his back.

His hair was always perfectly combed and his clothes pressed. He taught us all to camp, fish, drink and all about the stock market. His smile was amazing and his laugh incredible.

Daddy Busker was a mountain of a man. He meant so much to each of us, and we could all tell you thousands of stories about him. When we decided we would all write down our favorite story of Daddy Busker, John Walsh said it best Daddy Busker IS a story. Here are a few stories we would like to share.

From Deborah Jo – Oldest daughter

One year for our annual Easter camping trip Daddy was in charge of firewood. Of course he did not BUY any wood, he picked up boards and wood off the side of the road somewhere.

When he threw the PAINTED wood on the fire the multi colored sparks were beautiful until we all realized the smoke was full of toxic fumes!

Daddy was never allowed to be in charge of the firewood again. Our annual camping trips will never be the same because our “Wagon Master” is gone.

From Jim – Son in law (Deborah Jo’s husband)

Back before Jo and I weren’t married but had moved in together. William had never really talked to me at all and really didn’t know anything about me.

We showed up for a party at Sham and Kirk’s house where William was holding down a conversation with some people by the pool. When we walked up to him he said to the people he was taking to, “You remember my Daughter Deborah Jo don’t you?”. Of course they said “Yes”.  He suddenly got a little uncomfortable when he realized the people were waiting for him to introduce me.

He kind of stuttered a little bit and said “Oh and this is Jim Finlay. He’s Deborah Jo’s, uh, uh, uh………..company”. From then on whenever he introduced me to anyone I would say “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Deborah Jo’s company”. It never failed to crack him up.

 

From Kerry – Granddaughter (Deborah Jo’s Daughter)

Daddy Busker always wanted the best for his family.  Gramby and Daddy Busker have always been there for me, through thick and thin…and those of you who know me in this room today know that there was a lot of thin!  

There are many fond memories of this incredible man and I wish I could share them all.  One of my most recent fond memories is when I married John in 2008 I asked Daddy Busker to walk me down the aisle.  He proudly accepted and said it would be an honor. 

I will never forget standing there as our wedding party was walking into the church and Daddy Busker looked at me and said, “Kerry girl, you look beautiful” as he patted his hand on the small of my back very gentlemen like. 

He stood tall and proud that day and was serious about his responsibilities.  As we stood there waiting for the church doors to open he said, “Which foot would you like to start with and would you like to hesitate between steps or just walk?” 

He wanted our walk to be perfect and it was.  I have been blessed to have my grandparents be such a huge part of my life.  My Daddy Busker was one of a kind.  He will be greatly missed and I love him so very much! 

From John – Grandson (Kerry’s husband)

When I first became a part of this family five years ago, it did not take me long to see that Busker played a big roll in the way this family was shaped and molded. 

 The first time I met him it was apparent that his family values were important.  An example of his devotion to his family & friends was camping for forty plus years that created memories which will never be forgotten and traditions that will last forever.  And I feel truly blessed to be a part of his family.

 

From Jeremy – Grandson (Deborah Jo’s son)

 

Busker like to call me Good Time Charlie and when we were camping we sat up around the fire all hours of the night like we were best friends-at least that's what it felt like to me. 

One year, late at night Busker tripped and fell into the fire. I saved him from the fire and after I realized he was ok I told him, “Not sure if I was ever in your will but I'm thinking I'm a shoo in now,” he just laughed.

Afterwards he was so worried about his coat being melted-and I'm positive it was at least 30 yrs old.

 

 

From Carrie – Granddaughter (Jeremy’s wife)

From the very beginning Busker made me feel like one of his own. Coming from a family with very few close family ties, the Busker clan has showed me what it truly means to be a family.

Through the years, William Busker created and headed a wonderful family full of love and support and it’s a truly rare and beautiful thing to behold. I was blessed the day that I became a part of his family. I loved him very much and will miss him always

 

From Sham – Daughter

I know everyone thinks my daddy was tight with his money, but when I was 16 mother was going out of town for about a week and daddy didn’t want to drive me back and forth to my little summer job, so he just bought me a car instead.  Worked for Me!

There are so many wonderful things to say about my daddy.  He was a loving and giving man.  He taught me so much about life and how you are supposed to live it.   He loved to share stories about the old days and he never met a stranger.

The most important thing to him was his family and I AM his Little Berry.   Since I was a little girl, I enjoyed spending time with him and playing games.

Daddy down on all fours while i rode on his back bucking and making horse noises.   Camping was my favorite.  Fishing, hiking, playing dominos till all hours of the night.

 I loved dancing with my daddy.  Ask mom, he was as smooth as they come.  He was more than a dad, he was my friend.   Breaker One Nine, It’s your Little Berry over and out !!!!!

From Kirk – Son in law (Sham’s husband)

I could write a book on the memories I have with Willie J, but I guess I will start wih the most important one, the first time Willie J came into my life.

It was about 27 years ago when I went to pick Sham up for our first date

I knocked on the door and Willie J answered with a pistol in his hand (he said he was shooting bad guys on TV), it still scared the daylights out of me, he looked me up and down and said “dang, your bigger than the other boyfriends” broke into a smile, stuck out his hand, and said William Busker come on in. That was the first and almost last date I ever had with Sham.

Willie J taught me a lot about life. About camping, guns, travel trailers, how to make the best waking sticks, and if it was broken don’t buy a new one, just rig it up…. It will work just fine, and many other things, but the most important thing he taught me was about family and friends. Willie J loved his family dearly and always put their needs before his own.

If there ever was a situation where you could really have two fathers in life, this was it.

Willie J, I love you and I miss you.

From Zach – Grandson (Sham and Kirk’s son)

He was always there, willing to listen. He had a new story every time I talked to him. He was a rock, as good man as they come. A man who always put his family first and loved us so very much. I miss you so much Daddy Busker, we all do.

From Tyler – Grandson (Sham and Kirk’s son)

Daddy Busker attended my football and baseball games. I loved when I would do something good and Id look in the stands and see a huge smile on his face. Even after bad games he smiled and told me, great job. I am going to miss that.

 

From John Thomas – Grandson (Trey’s son)

When Gramby and Daddy Busker where gone during the summer, Daddy Busker would always ask me to make sure his lawn was mowed while he was gone and of course I would say yes, what’s a couple hours a week during the summer?

 Well, I would always forget until my Dad told me they would be coming home in a couple days and I would freak out and run the mower down the street to get on it…… Of course the grass would be damn near a foot tall and a 2 hour job would end up being an all day affair.

Then eventually I’d make it over there after they would get back and Daddy Busker would ask how many times I cut it. I never lied, I always said I almost forgot and mowed it right before they got back but he would always pay me for 2 or even 3 times.

The last few years since I’ve been gone, just about every time I walk into the house he always offered me a drink. Did a couple times, thanks to him I actually like Kaloha. And every time he saw me he would always say he was glad to see me home and healthy then hand me some money and tell me to buy a burger or something on him……. Who makes a $200 burger?

 

From Melanie – Grandaughter (Trey’s Daughter)

My favorite times with Daddy Busker are just the times he spent with me. From teaching me how to fish, or telling me stories from the old days. He knew how to make me feel so special.

I can remember once when I was a little girl, he took me to the bank to get into one of his safety deposit boxes. I remember walking into the bank and EVERYONE told Daddy Busker “Hello Mr. Busker” I remember thinking, Man! My Daddy Busker is so important, everyone knows his name.

 I don’t remember what he was getting from the deposit box or if he was putting something in. But I just remember feeling like I was the granddaughter of the most important man around.

This past November my dad was in the hospital and Daddy Busker and Gramby were with me and Debbie as we waited for test to be done. We were sitting in a hospital waiting room and Daddy Busker was flipping thru a magazine, when he asked. “Hey Mel, what do you know about this Retenol stuff? I have seen a few commercials about it and I want something that will get rid of a few age spots on my face.”

I could not believe this 80 year old man wanted to get rid of age spots. I wanted to laugh, but I answered him as seriously as I could because I knew he was seriously asking the question.

 

From Eloy – Grandson (Melanie’s husband)

Daddy Busker could never get my name right. I was either Elroy or Leroy and not ELOY my actual name. After a while, we all stopped trying to correct him. So he would call me Leroy, and I would say’ “No sir, it’s Leroy Brown” and he would always get a kick out of that.

 

From Tate – Great grandson (Melanie and Eloy’s Son)

When we would go camping, Daddy Busker always took me down to the fishing pier to “fish” for treasure. He had a large magnet tied to a long rope and we would drag it on the bottom of the lake and pick up stuff. We would get pocket knives, name tags and coins. I appreciate he took that time to sped with me.

 

From Maddie – Great granddaughter (Melanie and Eloy’s Daughter)

My daughter is only 4 and is not sure what is really going on. She knows her Daddy Busker is going to live with Jesus in Heaven but I don’t think he understands what great memories she will miss out on not having him around.

But I think if she did understand, her favorite memories of Daddy Busker would be all the jewelry he has given her.

Maddie is a little shy around people. Even with family, at family functions it takes her a while to warm up to everyone. Over the past year or so, Daddy Busker realized that if you give her jewelry she would warm up real quick. So at every holiday or family function he would always have a little something for his Maddie Girl.

These have just been a few of our favorite stories, there are so many more to remember and be shared. At this time if anyone else would like to share a Daddy Busker story please feel free.

Thank you all for being here, and celebrating the life of my Daddy Busker.