By Alex Garrett (May 11th, 2026)
May 6th, 2026 completed the 3rd cycle of processing my dad’s loss. I have learned a lot during this stretch from January 8th-May 6th, 2026!
January 8th, 2023 was the last time Pops and I ever visited our Christmastime staple, St. Thomas Church, together during the Christmas season. May 6th, 2023 was the memorial held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Weehawken, his hometown church.
1. IT IS OK TO PROCESS AMD GRIEVE
April 2026 was honestly the toughest month i ever had emotionally as I finally was able to just let go of the stoic , not be distracted by anything and just grieve. I also had the right people around me who gave me that space to grieve both with them and on my own.
While I’ve had spurts of meltdowns over the years, I held it together thanks to family and friends until Easter 2026. Rushing out of my house in Queens on Easter morning , not taking time to spend some of Easter with my mom, it hit me there was no breakfast with my dad as there had been year after year. It also hit because in 2023, my dad MADE IT TO HIS FINAL EASTER ON THIS EARTH, which turned out to be quite a feat.
I heard the bells of Trinity Church on Easter Morning and I just broke down entirely as I arrived at the very radio stations my dad LOVED listening to and supporting over the years. I am thankful to my mom and my friend , Cheri , for giving me the space to just CRY to .
2. STOP DISTRACTING YOURSELF
In this 3rd year since his passing, I’ve learned that I have simply been distracting myself from the real feels. Not the temperature real feels, but the feels of the emotions of losing a parent. 31 is truly young to lose a parent, especially one that was active every day and calling almost every hour!
Whether it was being a caretaker; attending the traditional Mets-Cubs game; connecting with my Yankees family; the Games for the Physically Challenged family ; HVS family , for 3 years I did what I could to carry on my pops legacy and connections. Without feeling the searing pain of loss.
Now? i embrace traveling solo at times and sitting in the feelings of missing him and yes crying it out as needed. The day before the anniversary of his passing, I was rolling through Zuccotti park to Burger King, one of his favorite downtown spots. I couldn’t take more than a few rolls before I went to where some of his ashes lay and cried out . It was so cathartic as was later that Tuesday afternoon and 7:26 PM on April 15, 2026. A close friend was there to console me both times and I’ll always be appreciative of that!
I’ve never been so in touch with this grief process as I have this third time around .
Sure, I’ll continue to go to events and games so meaningful to us, but it will be in memory of my dad , not trying to distract myself by thinking I have to bear the burden of continuing his legacy !
3. Pops and those who have gone before us are always with us!
It’s absolutely insane that during this period of time, the world lost an amazing kid, Danny Voyes, to begin March. Having lost Max Gold in Jan 2023 before my dad, I thought Danny and I would have more time as Earthly soul brothers.
Yet, on St. Patrick’s Day 2026, following marching with the Irish American Baseball Society, I went to St. Patrick’s to light a candle for those who have gone before us. BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL WITH US!
I miss my dad, Max, Danny , Dee Dee and my grandpa so much but know they are all with me wherever I go.
Out of this grief process came one more realization , maybe I am equipped to help others process the loss off their dad.
4. PROCESSING BY HELPING OTHERS PROCESS
The final week of the grief cycle, the week of May 4, 2026, there was one last realization that God put on my lap. That it’s time to help others process loss. It was just last week with the loss of John Sterling and the invitation to the memorial for the dad of a public relations friend , that I felt I am being pulled out of bad habits to help others process.
Instead of running to a baseball game, it is time to step up and be there for others in their time of need. I also think it is God helping me process my own loss by helping others through their loss. and I’m so very thankful for that.
5. SO, WHAT IS NEXT
Of course, rollerblading is the biggest legacy that I bring with me in honor of Papa! But, the loss of John Sterling also rocked me to the core and as a thank you to him, and my dad who raised me on radio , it’s time to pursue that play by play career , and that is what is next !
OneLegUpAlex 