Tonight I had some of my most meaningful & wonderful conversations that I can recall regarding any of my friends. I was fortunate enough to speak in detail to Don for a great deal tonight & partook in one of Dom’s favorite pastimes…reminiscing. It was so great to recall why we both love him so much. I was able to share some of my favorite little things with Ruthie & Matt as well. Matt & I were talking about how great a “good Dom laugh” could be. You know those ones that come from deep in his belly & he can’t catch a breath. The boom from his laughter is so contagious. We were in Temecula, of all places, a few months back, celebrating one of Dom’s friend’s (Craig’s) birthday and in the hotel room - Matt & I remember how much laughing we were doing. Primarily Matt & I were being fools and Dom, along with the girls, were just eating it up. It was priceless. Not to mention the memory of Dom being the first up the next morning, dressed and waiting on us b/c he “had to eat” when he “had to eat!”I could type endlessly about my adventures with Dom. As we continue to fight the good fight, I will share some with you, but I really encourage you all to post some of your own. Also, if you can, post your own pictures of Dominic or just email them to me directly and I will for you. coyle.marshall@gmail.com
From Cedars we know that Dom remains in ICU, his fever has broken and he seems to be resting well, without pain. At this point the tumors are continuing to advance and the treatments have been halted. Medically there isn’t much more that can be done to slow down the advancement. His lovely incessant parents, Jane & Don, continue to be by his side, minute by minute, making sure he is comfortable, and cared for. I have come to admire them so much throughout this and take great pride in calling them loved ones of mine. We ask for your continued belief, faith, prayers, miracles, devotion & commitment to the Bring It lifestyle that Dom has lived by for the past 30mns. He is the greatest son, brother, friend, colleague and lover that anyone can ask for; he needs us to be strong for him as his strength is put to its final test.
He may remain in ICU for a while or there is a chance he’ll be moved to a private room at some point. Once that decision is made, I will pass that info along. Until he clears ICU, visitors aren’t encouraged (or allowed by the hospital). Once I get more information I will pass it along to you all.
Bringing It Everyday - M
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Taking the lead from Marshall, I thought that it might be time for me to share some stories about my time with Dom. I have so many things to say about him that it is hard for me to begin, but I will give it my best shot.
Besides reminiscing, another of Dom’s favorite pastimes is going to the movies, which also happens to be one of my favorite things to do. I knew that Dom and I were going to be together for a long time after our first date. It began with an early evening movie and then dinner (because we all know how much and often he likes to eat) at Sharks Cove in Manhattan Beach. We then rented “Superbad”, which we watched at his apartment and toasted our luck with a couple of Bud Lights each. It was a perfect night, or at least we thought it was . This night set the standard for many of our nights together. “Friday night at the movies” became a tradition and I quickly found myself so happy to have found my movie-going partner and so many other things in Dom.
Dom and I, just a few weeks ago, had the opportunity to spend some time at my parent’s cabin in Bass Lake. Dom was sicker than a dog the entire trip, but it did not stop him from taking boat rides, watching movies with the family, or taking part in the many family meals that were cooked. Despite being incredibly nauseas, Dom braved the trip (and crazy car ride) because he knew I wanted him to go. What more can a girl ask for?
I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate the amazing support that Dom has surrounding him. I am completely in awe of the amazing family and friends that Dom has, all that have taken me in with open arms. Thank you, thank you, thank you….more stories to follow.
Love, Scoob
Dominic and I were in the same kindergarden class. Mrs. Hamby's classroom had the alphabet on the ground and we sat on our last name, he sat on the A and I sat on T. From then on we were friends. We moved up though the grades with teacher's like Monji, Stern and Whaely. From there we progressed to Emerson and BHS.
As Marshall asks us to recall memories a flood of them come back.....track meets at Franklin (Dom was always faster)...YMCA basketball games..... skateboarding with Jeff around the OP.....sleepovers and staying up all night to pass rented video games, waking up early in the morning and making movies.
Then as we got older we had our first beers together, (a King Cobra 40 oz followed by Strawberry Hill). I think even as we drank those first beers together Dom was reminicing about something. From then on Dom was notorious for always reminicing everytime got together and hung out. He would rember thing no body else could.
As we moved on to High school we had a whole new set of avdentures. The first day he got "Big Red" the 60's Buick Electra, we just got into the car and sat, lkistening to the radio. Once we we able to actually drive in the car, we had an even better time.
There are really so many memories we had together growing up to write down. I could not have had a more loyal best friend in my life. - Benji
Here are a few pics of some good times with the Dominator...
I couldn't stop smiling when Marsh and I were talking about Dom's
infectious laugh last tonight. Just like Benji, there are so many
stories that come to mind when I think of Dom.
I remember watching the Raiders play on Sunday together and Dom
standing up and cheering at the tv (actually, more like yelling at the
tv, it's the Raiders after all). I remember Dom in college...
teaching me how to box, going to Del Taco, absolutely dominating
Marsh and I in basketball, ...going to Del Taco, talking about his art
projects and Bakersfield stories, watching the goriest movies I never
really wanted to watch, talking about how much he thought he was Marky
Mark's twin, the list goes on forever...
Dom's quiet strength and unquestioned loyalty are magnetic and I am so
incredibly lucky to call him a brother.
-Matt
My memories of Dom are mostly of this quiet little boy, a friend of Benjis and Larkins, who did these incredibly gory things at Halloween. But what I especially remember is going over to his house for the send-off of Larkin's first prom. I don't know if it was also Amy's or Dom's, but it doesn't matter. What was important was that I was pinning the boutinneirs - sp? - the flower things - on all the guys, and when I finished and turned around, I almost passed out - there was an enormous semi-circle of beaming adults behind me! What support these kids have had, and what love, from so many people. Dom, Amy, Larkin, Benji, Marsh, everyone - total support and love from so many people. What a blessed life. - Susan Reep
I love Dom, so so much. I feel protective of him, like a little brother you just want to scoop up and protect from all he's been through. When I think of Dom it's hard to remember a time when I didn't know him. From a little brother running around with Benji as we older cooler Emerson Eagles (Marsh, Amy, Larkin and I) had our dance parties at the Ambriz and Tackett homes, to having the great privilege of getting to know him as my friend, Dom is a regular fixture in my memories. Dom also represents some of the best times and fondest memories I have. Countless late nights and grub fests with Marshall, Matt and Dom in various living situations from Lilenthal to PCH, laughing until it hurt, being anything but a lady, testing the boundaries of inappropriate and foul and loving every minute of it. The little known fact that Dom allowed me to have his bed for the best 2 weeks of Marshall and Matt's life. The way the telling of a good Bakersfield story could crack him up till he couldn't speak and would turn red with laughter and appreciation. Toasting Pacificos with Matt and I at Casa Escobar days before his second surgery with nervous confidence and resolve. How much pleasure he takes in the Dominos Five for Five deal, even if it's just me him and Matt and appreciating it myself when you are able to go to sleep on his futon after a night of cocktailing with an ample supply of pizza and buffalo wings. Knowning you always have at least one peson who likes to dress up for Halloween as much as you do. To my fondest, our multi stop Kelly & Dom tour of Vegas this past fall. We drank bud light tall boys, discussed how he had a concussion from a lap dance the night before, talked about everything from our past heartaches to our future hopes over enough food to feed a developing nation and almost getting us both kicked out for refusing to wear my shoes inside the casino. But perhaps the thing I love most about Dom is his quiet simplicity. Pleasure in the small things, no need for excess, spend wisely even if you have the money not too, satisfaction in a good t-shirt that can be worn anywhere, honoring a schedule and a timeline to the minute. These are things that I have learned from him, that I admire him for, that I appreciate about him. Dom owns a piece of my heart no one else can touch. His strength and tenacity in this battle have raised the bar for what I know we are all capable of. I love him and his family and am eternally grateful for every single moment I have shared with the most amazing guy I know.
I just sat down to write a few reflections I was having while planting flowers in my garden...and first read all of these great stories about Dom and all the good times he's had in his life. Dom, you have such a great network of friends! Just reading and feeling all the love that is headed your way has overwhelmed me! What I sat down to write: as I was planting flowers just now, I was reminded of all the great work days we shared with the Westchester Work Group. It was a happy time with all our families working together, enjoying each other's company, and all the kids growing up together. Fun times! All our love to the Ambriz...Jen and Matt
Kelly's post just about tore me up. Why was I not Dom's peer so I could have had all that fun with all those wonderful people? (Not that I don't love my life - just love Dom's life too.)It doesn't seem possible that someone as young as Dom and as seemingly quiet could have made what would count as a lifetime of memories for many people? Shannon, Kelly, Matt, Benj, Marsh, Dom - and the rest of your group - who is the writer amongst you? There is a movie or a novel here that many people would like to see or read. It is downright inspiring.
I've been reading all the great things today about Dom and his friends and adventures. I agree with Susan someone needs to get this down on paper. Good life travels of life long friends. One of my best stories (and I've told many people), is when you, Matt & Chuck found an apartment over looking the Otis parking lot and Dom & Don were looking for an apartment for Dom. I thought this has to be the best sign a person could ask for. I just couldn't get over how cool it was for you and Dom to be housemates. I know that's a "mom" story, but it's mine and I'm sticking to it.
One of my most recent memories is during a chemo week when I was in L.A. helping Dom.
We would spend a lot of time watching "B" movies, mostly of the horror type and planning
his next meal and trying to prevent nausea. One afternoon Dom was playing a video game
and I was sitting at the desk behind him, I would look up occasionally and ask him how they
work because it seemed to me that he had to keep doing the same thing over and over again.
He would patiently explain how they work. Later in the afternoon he was on the phone and
and whoever was on the other end of the conversation obviously asked him what he was
doing and Dom responded "Oh my Mom and I are just hangin' out, playing video games.
My mouth dropped open because I'm sure the person on the phone had this vision
that Dom and I were dueling it out on Madden football.
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