L-O-V-E

The photo most of Orlando, the US and the world associate with Gavin was taken by his mom on a family vacation on July 27, 2022 at Little Ted’s Cottages in Marblehead, Ohio.

Rachel’s extended family has a tradition of vacationing together for one week every summer. The tradition started in 1987 at a place called Canadohta Lake in northwestern Pennsylvania. The nuclear families would rent several cottages. Each family took a turn preparing a meal as the week went on. It was a lovely place for visiting, catching up, fishing, boating and playing games. A classic laid back summer vacation spot, albeit a little rustic. The highlight of the week was campfires each night which typically drew nearly the whole extended family which was sometimes upwards of 40 people. There was story telling, singing, laughing, campfire snacks and lots of beer and Irish whiskey. These campfires were part of growing up for Rachel and me. Canadohta holds a special place in my heart.

As our boys grew up the timing of the family trip was never conducive to making the trek from Orlando. A few years ago the vacation spot moved from Canadohta to Marblehead, along Lake Erie. The timing also changed to be more favorable for us to make the trip. We decided to make a road trip to Ohio to join in the celebration and to have the boys spend time with their extended family. More on that roadtrip another time.

We spent five days and nights in Marblehead relaxing, fishing, and catching up with family. Conor took full advantage of the opportunity to walk onto some boat docks which were part of the property and fish in Lake Erie. Gavin was mostly content to play video games during the day.

Evenings brought lively family group dinners served on a row of picnic tables outside the cabins. All the while there was music, kids playing, talking, and laughing. One evening the group took over community pool area, the deck and the bar. We sung along with music from a phone for several hours. The kids played in the pool, there was a campfire and again, plenty of drink. It was an awesome night.

Gavin played in the pool with his brother and cousins for a while before retiring to the cottage for a shower. He rejoined the group wearing the black t-shirt shown in the widely recognized photo. I remember thinking he looked so handsome and mature. His thick hair pushed to the side, a little sun on his face and his relaxed smile made him look more like 15 or 16 instead of the 13 he was. He hung out with the adults and sang a few songs with us including a treasured memory where he sang L-O-V-E from Nat King Cole.

L is for the way you look at me.

O is for the only one I see.

V is very, very extraordinary.

E is even more than anyone that you adore can

Love is all that I can give to you.

Love is more than just a game for two.

Two in love can make it, take my heart and please don’t break it

Love was made for me and you

Love was made for me and you

Love was made for me and you

There is so much to see in this clip. You see so much of Gavin’s personality. A mature little boy, very self-aware, quietly confident one second and bashful the next. Handsome, likeable, loved by his family. He chose a song first performed in 1964. 44 years before he was born, and he crushed it!

A few people have commented since Gav’s passing that they felt he had an old soul. Maybe this song choice supports that.

Another thing I love about this song is that he and Joseph, one of his good friends and fellow scouts used to sing it on occasion, including on campouts.

An instrumental version of L-O-V-E was played at Gavin’s funeral as the services began.

This is a treasured memory for me.