What A Wonderful Weekend...

Finally.... a weekend off. It's almost impossible to believe I had an entire weekend off and my work phone didn't ring one time. Alabama won their game against Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. I went to mass with my parents Saturday evening. Then yesterday (Sunday), I packed myself, my oldest son Michael, his wife Beth, and Grand-daughter Grace into the expedition and pointed it towards the Florida panhandle. We went over and spent the afternoon with my youngest son Daniel, his wife Jami, and Grand-daughter Danielle. We haven't seen them in almost two months, and it was just exactlly what this old man needed to get himself back on track.

We took the kids to the park, and to say that I had a great time watching them play would be an understatement. The photo above is Danielle, 19-months, playing peek-a-boo behind one of the pavillions in the park.

Check that smile out... Grandpa had one on his face just as big.

Big cousin Gracie, walks Danielle around the park.

You can tell Danielle's Daddy is a 'rassler, as she pins cousin Grace to the carpet. I can't say that Dianne was out of my mind, because she wasn't. She always loved making the 70-mile trip over to Pensacola to visit the kids, and without a doubt she was with me yesterday. I could feel her presence.

So... I'm back at work today. I just wanted to share my wonderful weekend with you all!

Be Blessed.

~Percy

http://www.percypringle.com/

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD !

Happy 73rd birthday to my dad today!

7-months and 24-days

If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I'm standing strong and whole.

If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face.

If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.

You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place...

If you could only see me now.

Lester Welch and never forgetting breast cancer

Ring legend Lester Welch, a member of the Fuller/Welch/Fields pro wrestling clan passed away on Friday. I was honored to be on the Board of Directors of our Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion with him, and worked on many of the events he promoted for Florida Championship Wrestling back in the day, as well as making so many shows in his airplane.

My sincere prayers and sympathies go out to his wonderful wife Lucille, his two sons Jack and Roy Lee, and all of his family.

The following is Lester's obituary from The Pensacola News Journal this morning:

LESTER A. WELCH, SR.1924 - 2009
Lester Welch, Sr., age 85, of Pensacola, passed away Friday, September 18, 2009. He was an entrepreneur in several construction and manufacturing businesses, including Better Built Toolboxes, Quality Specialty Products and Superior Aluminum Trailers. He was a professional wrestler and in 2004, he was inducted into the Cauliflower Alley Hall of Fame. Mr. Welch served in WW II as a decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a great pilot, he was a skilled horseman, and he promoted and participated in rodeos. He was a life time member of the AQHA.He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Birdie Welch; three brothers; three sisters; and one daughter, Patricia Lucille Welch.He leaves behind his loving wife of 66 years, Lucille Gann Welch; two sons, Lester A. "Jack" Welch, Jr. (Kay) and Roy Lee Welch; five grandchildren, Lester A. "Rocky" Welch, III (Dawn), Roy Lee "Jason" Welch, Jr., Travis Edward Welch, Steven Trent Welch (Laura) and Derek Anthony Welch; six great-grandchildren, Valarie Ann Welch, Jacob Thomas Welch, Grace Marie Welch, Lillie Victoria Welch, Casey Alexander Welch and Zoe Madison Welch; one sister, Lucy Irene McDonald; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.Pallbearers will be his family and honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons.Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy, with Pastor Bobby Simmons officiating.Interment will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel South one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

You and view the obituary and sign his guestbook at the following link: LESTER WELCH OBITUARY AND GUESTBOOK

Three years ago today, in 2006, my wife Dianna was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. We didn't have a clue that three short years later she would be gone. I cannot stress too much how important it is for you ladies to do your monthly exams, and get your mammograms. Guys... remind them! It can happen to anybody!

Be Blessed.

~Percy

www.PercyPringle.com

Saturday stuff...

One year ago today, I was appearing at a local independent event, my wife Dianna was selling my "gimmicks". As we were leaving the building she was in severe pain, and unable to breathe. We ended up in the emergency room which resulted in a weeks stay in the hospital. Little did we know that this night would be the beginning of the end for her. She remained sick and in pain until the evening she died, January 31, 2009.

The Alabama Crimson Tide plays Florida International tonight at 6 pm at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately it is on PPV, and as much as I enjoy The Tide, I can't justify a PPV buy on this one. However, I won't take Florida International lightly, as anybody can be beat any time by anybody.

Chris, the youngest son of Fritz and Doris Von Erich, passed away on this date in 1991. He was a damned good kid, and I still miss him dearly.

Birthday wishes go out this morning to the greatest country music singer of all time, "The Possum" George Jones.

Yesterday marked 12 straight days for me at the parlor. I sure need a weekend off, maybe this will be the one for me. Only time will tell...

It's gonna' rain all weekend... but I can handle that.

Be Blessed.

~Percy

www.percypringle.com

REMEMBERING 9-11

Be Blessed.

~Percy

www.PercyPringle.com

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Be Blessed.
~Percy
wwwPercyPringle.com

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Labor Day Weekend

It's early morning and the sun is preparing to rise over the horizon. Exactly 7-months ago today I committed the earthly remains of my wife of 30-years to the red clay earth of South Alabama, and her soul to our Heavenly Father. Looking back, what a 7-months it has been. There's no way I could have ever prepared myself for these times. It was a blessing that The Lord took her in her sleep, as only He knew the day and the hour. I can't help myself to think of Dianna when I am serving families that come to me during the most horrible times of their lives. Some have sat by their loved ones bedside for days, weeks, in some cases even months, waiting for them to take their last breath. The Lord spared me from that hell, and only He knows why.

I could go on and on here, but I will be brief, it helps me to put my thoughts into words sometimes.

I will NEVER forget so many of you that have offered me a shoulder to lean on; then on the other hand as a human being, I will never forget those that should have been here for me and were not. It even pains me to recall more than a few who paraded through the funeral home during Dianna's visitation, never seeing or hearing from them again since. But I am letting that go today.

Today is special for me and Dianna. We shared so many things together. One of our favorite things to do was Alabama Football. Tonight will be The Crimson Tide's first game of the season, as much as I am excited about it, I am just as sad. But then again, Dianne will be watching from the best seat in the house.... lucky girl. :-)

I plan on visiting her gravesite this afternoon before church, and put a Alabama Tide flag among her flowers. I know she will smile... Where I will watch the game from is still up in the air, I don't want to watch it alone, but knowing myself like I do, it will probably be me and my three sausage dogs who seem know me better than anyone these days.

Hang on to your love ones dearly my friends, because we don't know the day nor the hour, and who will be called next. I wish you all a very safe, happy, and blessed Labor Day weekend.


By the way... ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!

~Percy
www.PercyPringle.com