Published: December 23, 2006 01:05 pm            

The Extra Milers: Hall Family

Family shares love for brother in Relay for Life team

The best things in life aren’t those things we traditionally value, such as bigger and better homes, cars, salaries, etc., but instead, they are the things we carry with us in our hearts and minds. Most will agree that the best things in life are our relationships — those with family, friends, co-workers, and our faith-based relationships.

Are your priorities focused on the best things in your life? I recently met the Hall family, a group of Extra Milers who undeniably have family as a top priority. Their priorities include the memories of those family members who no longer walk among them. The Hall family members are figuratively and literally Extra Milers for Southern Indiana.

Joyce Browning invited me to meet her family; however, it came with a warning, “You should be prepared, we are a very vocal and active bunch of people.” I assured her my family was much the same and the visit should be just like going home, and it was.

There were children running through the house, mothers trying to slow them down, groups in deep conversation, and food everywhere. The Hall family and a few close friends gathered this day to make some plans. They are the only known family team walking in the Floyd County American Cancer Society Relay for Life — who will walk their thousands of steps in memory of a loved one lost to cancer.

Their team is called, “Memory Miles for Moe.” Moe Hall was a son, brother, husband, uncle and best friend and he was taken away from this family far too early. After just a few minutes sitting with this family it was obvious they walk not only in memory of Moe, but also to save other families from feeling the devastating pain of losing a loved one to cancer.

Moe passed away Nov. 3, 1990. The family has evolved from the tears of their loss to be able to laugh and proudly discuss Moe’s life. We sat in the a family kitchen and began talking about Moe’s life. The stories dictated the mood of the family as we spoke about this gentle and loving man and his life before cancer. Moe’s sister, Joyce Browning said, “Moe was such a gentle person and he never wanted anyone to feel bad.” She added, “When we were young our Dad used to rub our temples to comfort us. When Moe was ill, he was in pain throughout his body; however, I would sit and rub his temple while talking with him. I would imagine even that was painful to him, but he never said a word. I believe he knew it was actually comforting me.”

The family was quiet and reflective for a few moments.

The stories then took an upbeat turn as Kevin, Moe’s “baby brother” began talking about Moe as a Cincinnati Reds’ fan, and Moe’s best friend, Todd Burrous, spoke about Moe’s love for the University of Kentucky and how he was devastated the day Adolph Rupp died. Moe’s niece, Chelsea Jordan (who completed the circle of life by being born the day Moe passed away) was surprised to hear the family used to be University of Kentucky fans, since she has only known them to be staunch University of Louisville fans. This sparked intense discussion regarding the family history of basketball. Moe’s mother, clearly the family matriarch, is a caring and proud woman. She told of Moe’s friend, Todd, and his dedication to Moe when he was weak from cancer.

“Todd came by to see Moe every single day before work and helped him with whatever needed to be done,” Moe’s mother said. “Moe truly appreciated all anyone did for him. He was a wonderful person.”

Family members agreed that Moe was the favorite child of seven boys and four girls. The only response from Mother Jackie Hall was an acknowledging smile. In some families that might cause jealousy, but not the Hall family. From the sibling’s standpoint, Moe’s position as the favored child was well deserved.

Moe and his brother David were painters and they were the best of friends. Family members recalled how Moe and David would work together all day and then call each other when they got home to talk about family and work.

This is a close knit family who remembers that Moe was always concerned about others. When he was so critically ill with cancer that he couldn’t get out of the house, he would request family members to go shopping for special occasion gifts for his wife. Mother Jackie Hall said Moe was a very sentimental sort of guy. “There were times it would take him two hours to pick out the right card for someone,” she said.

Last year the Memory Miles for Moe Relay Team won the “most spirited” award. They raised $6,239, had large groups walking for the team throughout the day and night, posted photos of Moe all over their team area, and had to be asked to leave the track after storms drove all other teams home. This family doesn’t quit. They loved Moe while he was alive and now cherish his memory. His grave is visited regularly and even the youngest children enjoy making visits with the family. Moe’s youngest brother, Kevin adds, “We sometimes laugh at all the things we leave for Moe at his grave site. One time we left some valuable baseball cards at the site, knowing somebody might take them. We want to let Moe know he is always on our minds.”

As I write this column, the Memory Miles for Moe family photo sits directly in front of me. I can’t help but think that Moe would have been so very proud of his family and friends … he would be pleased to know that these people loved him so much that they have teamed up to work for a cure. A cure for cancer and the pain that it brings to families — a cure for losing someone so young with so much to offer this world. Walking and raising money for the Relay for Life gives this family power. The Memory Miles for Moe team is walking for the second year and finding power in being able to assist the American Cancer Society’s advancement toward a future when cancer no longer takes the lives of friends and family.

The Memory Miles for Moe Team will be hosting a Golf Scramble to raise money for the American Cancer Relay for Life. Moe’s brother, David Hall, and his sister, Karen Keeler, are the points of contact for the scramble, which will be held at Wooded View Golf Course on Friday, April 21, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. (shotgun start). You can contact David at 218-8050 or Karen at 944-3155, to make your team reservation. I don’t enjoy playing golf (possibly because I am so very bad at the game); however, my team is already forming to make sure the Memory Miles for Moe Team has a successful walk as Extra Milers.

KINDNESS TIP OF THE MONTH: Most of us know someone, either a family member or friend, who has been touched by cancer. Join the fight for a cure by helping with the walk. If you can’t walk, sponsor a person who can. Form a team (your company, school class, friends, church, LSI class, etc.) and have some fun getting to know one another while on the track walking for the American Cancer Society. Become a Southern Indiana Extra Miler. The Southern Indiana Relay for Life dates are: Floyd County: May 19 and Clark County: May 12. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society via their Web site: www.cancer.org

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and president of a national training and consulting company, EEO Guidance, Inc . If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an extra miler, let us know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via email: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or send mail to: The Extra Milers, The Evening News, 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.

        

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