Dom Stories...

I'm not sure if everyone has read the comments left today; moving. I hear that Don, Jane & Scoob read them aloud this afternoon to each other. For those of you who haven't read them, I added them as their own entry below. Sorry for those who are inundated with emails but I want to make sure everyone has a chance to read these. If you need help posting, just email me & I'll add it whatever you'd like...or go to the comments link at the bottom of an entry & it'll post.

From Jane (Dom's Mom):
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 planninghis next meal and trying to prevent nausea. One afternoon Dom was playing a video gameand I was sitting at the desk behind him, I would look up occasionally and ask him how theywork 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 andand whoever was on the other end of the conversation obviously asked him what he wasdoing 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 visionthat Dom and I were dueling it out on Madden football.

From Nancy Coyle (My Mom):
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 [Marshall], Matt & Chuck found an apartment overlooking 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 [Marshall] and Dom to be housemates. I know that's a "mom" story, but it's mine and I'm sticking to it.

From Susan Reep:
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. [fyi one is in the works]

From Jen Constantine:
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

From Miss Kelly Vee:
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.

From Matt DeVille:
I couldn't stop smiling when Marsh and I were talking about Dom'sinfectious laugh last tonight. Just like Benji, there are so manystories that come to mind when I think of Dom.I remember watching the Raiders play on Sunday together and Domstanding up and cheering at the tv (actually, more like yelling at thetv, it's the Raiders after all). I remember Dom in college...teaching me how to box, going to Del Taco, absolutely dominatingMarsh and I in basketball, ...going to Del Taco, talking about his artprojects and Bakersfield stories, watching the goriest movies I neverreally wanted to watch, talking about how much he thought he was MarkyMark's twin, the list goes on forever...Dom's quiet strength and unquestioned loyalty are magnetic and I am soincredibly lucky to call him a brother.-Matt

From Benji Tackett:
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.

From Scoob (The GF):
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.