writing – Gather by Image

A Letter to Tim at Nine Years

Dear Tim,

Today it’s been 9 years since you drew your last breaths on this earth.

I realize I’ve now been a widow longer than I was a wife, and that fact is mind blowing.

The kids talked to me in advance about this day, and so I asked them this year what they wanted to do today. Their choice was to wear something of one of your favorite sports teams.

Today was the opening of the World Cup. Of course I thought of you immediately when I saw that on the calendar. You would have been absolutely loving it, and I know you would have had plans to watch all the games!

I planned a regular full day of work today because I worked a short day yesterday to volunteer at field day (an activity I KNOW you would have loved!) and I’m heading out west tomorrow to celebrate Anne’s PhD! It means a lot to me that I can get out there for this celebration since we missed her wedding when you were in the hospital.

I tried to schedule today as a normal day, but today is never normal. I felt so very tired, and so heavy all day today. I felt like I was trying to move through the day through thick fog. This evening, I was so glad to have my mom and my big sister here with us. And yet it was still heavy. Kiddos had big emotions today. I have to accept that it is unavoidable.

I think you’d be proud of us all though.

I am so grateful that after 9 years we were still able to get a big group to celebrate your memory with us at the 2026 Memorial Sporting Event, and that in your memory, we empowered communities through the power of food! Our events were early this year (due to the World Cup) but we got to witness a W for the Nats and a tie for DC United.

Next month, for Rosie’s birthday gift, we are going to see Alex Warren in concert. You would have loved taking these guys to a pop concert. Interestingly, this artist sings a lot about his parent’s (and especially his dad’s death) and I think is a big part of what draws our kids to his music.

I’m still navigating raising this crew without you. Your greatest legacy. I miss you with all my heart. I hope you are at peace. And I can not wait to see you again.

Love Always, MaryBeth

A selfie I loved from the moment you sent it to me.

“But it feels like an eternity
Since I had you here with me
Since I had to learn to be
Someone you don’t know
To be with you in paradise
What I wouldn’t sacrifice
Why’d you have to chase the light
Somewhere I can’t go?
As I walk this world alone”

-Alex Warren

2026 Tim Gaige Memorial Sporting Choose your own adventure – May 16

Friends and family,

We’ve had such a wonderful time over the last few years remembering Tim through Sports!

In 2018, when I first started the Annual Tim Gaige Memorial Event, I wrote about why. I still want to do this for all those reasons, to bring together those who loved him to remember him in a very Tim-way for the kids, and most especially to give back.

Last year, when I had differing opinions from the kids over a local Baseball or Soccer game, I asked myself: What Would Tim do?

There was only one answer: Tim would do both!

So this year – we are doing it again! We usually do this in June, but there are no MLS games in June this year due to the World Cup. (World Cup games actually start this year on June 11^th on Tim’s Deathaversary.)

Please note: Last year, I tried separating the donation, but that didn’t work out as I expected, so I am building it back into the ticket price, and will make the donation that way on your behalf.

Again this year, in memory of Tim, we will be giving to World Central Kitchen (WCK). WCK is first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. In memory of Tim Gaige, help us empower communities through the power of food!

So I bring you again:

Tim Gaige Memorial 2026 – Choose your own adventure!

Adventure #1: The Baseball ⚾️

Details: Join us at Nationals Park starting as early as 2:50pm on Saturday May 16, 2026! This year we will have the Swing Big Beer Pan for the entire game from an amazing view in center field as the Washington Nationals take on the Baltimore Orioles at home at Nats Park! This dedicated space gives us an opportunity to gather and enjoy each other’s company in a private standing room hospitality area that comes with a beer cart and dedicated bartender. Tickets are $75 each, which includes a $35 concession credit usable anywhere in the ballpark. And $10 of your ticket, I will donate to World Central Kitchen: https://donate.wck.org/TimMemorial

Adventure #2: The Soccer ⚽️

Details: Join us immediately after the Nats game or whenever works for you on Saturday May 16th, prior to the 7:30pm start, as D.C. United take on the Saint Louis City SC at home at Audi Field! Tickets are $50 each for our group. We will be in sections 110 and 210. You are on your own for food in one of the many great food option in the stadium. We’ll plan on meeting at Tim’s brick around 6:30pm for a group photo. $10 of your ticket, I will donate to World Central Kitchen: https://donate.wck.org/TimMemorial

Adventure #3: The Baseball ⚾️ AND The Soccer ⚽️

Details: HOURS of fun on May 16th with the Gaiges remembering Tim for two great sporting events! (Adventures 1 + 2 = 3)

Adventure #4: I don’t live locally, and/or can’t make either game, but want to participate!

Details: If you would like to donate a ticket or two to a family, since a day out like this can be a lot for a big family, I will take the donation and coordinate accordingly. OR you can also make a donation of your choosing in Tim’s name: https://donate.wck.org/TimMemorial

Adventure #5: I would love to join a game, but this sounds very expensive for my family.

Details: If you would like to attend but this is cost prohibitive, let me know and I will match Adventurers #4 and #5!

Now:

Reach out to MaryBeth to advise which Adventure you are interested in! Contact MaryBeth at 703-863-329 OR marybeth.gaige@gmail.com (include “Tim Memorial” in an email). Please reach out soonest if you know you want to join to reserve your tickets!

I hope you can join us!

Some pics of years past:

2025 Tim Gaige Memorial Sporting Choose your own adventure – June 7

Friends and family,

We’ve had such a wonderful time over the last few years remembering Tim at DC United Games. And before that, we remembered Tim at the Potomac Nationals games. In 2018, when I first started the Annual Tim Gaige Memorial Event, I wrote about why. I still want to do this for all of those reasons, to bring together those who loved him to remember him in a very Tim-way for the kids, and most especially to give back. Now that our kids are older, they have strong opinions. Some strongly for a baseball event, some strongly for a soccer one.

What Would Tim do?

There is only one answer: Tim would do both!

Please note: In the past, I have built a charitable donation into each ticket price, but I am not doing that this year, and asking you to take the extra step to give on your own at the link I’m providing, in order to allow you to make the charitable donation in the amount of your choosing.

This year, in memory of Tim, we will be giving to World Central Kitchen (WCK). WCK is first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. In memory of Tim Gaige, help us empower communities through the power of food!

So I bring you, in the spirit of total flexibility: Tim Gaige Memorial 2025 – Choose your own adventure!

Adventure #1: The Baseball ⚾

Details: Join us at Nationals Park starting as early as 2:50pm on Saturday June 7, 2025! We will have the Devil’s Backbone Left Field Lodge from Gates Opening to first pitch at 4:05pm (75 minutes) as the Washington Nationals take on the 2023 World Series winning Texas Rangers at home at Nats Park! This dedicated space gives us an opportunity to gather and enjoy each other’s company pre-game in a casual space overlooking left field, with a dedicated bartender. Tickets are $65 each, which includes a $25 concession credit usable anywhere in the ballpark. Then you can also make a donation of your choosing in Tim’s name: https://donate.wck.org/TimMemorial

Adventure #2: The Soccer ⚽️

Details: Join us immediately after the Nats game or whenever works for you, prior to the 7:30pm start, as D.C. United take on the Chicago Fire FC at home at Audi Field! Tickets are $22 each for our group, you are on your own for food in one of the many great food option in the stadium. We’ll plan on meeting at Tim’s brick around 6:30pm for a group photo. Then you can also make a donation of your choosing in Tim’s name: https://donate.wck.org/TimMemorial

Adventure #3: The Baseball ⚾The Soccer ⚽️

Details: HOURS of fun on June 7th with the Gaiges remembering Tim for two great sporting events! Then you can also make a donation of your choosing in Tim’s name: https://donate.wck.org/TimMemorial (Adventures 1 + 2 = 3)

Adventure #4: I don’t live locally, and/or can’t make either game, but want to participate!

Adventure #5: I would love to join a game, but this sounds very expensive for my family.

Details: If you would like to attend but this is cost prohibitive, let me know and I will match Adventurers #4 and $5!

Now!

Reach out to MaryBeth to advise which Adventure you are interested in! Contact MaryBeth at 703-863-3292 OR marybeth.gaige@gmail.com (include “Tim Memorial” in an email). Please reach out soonest if you know you want to join to reserve your tickets!

I hope you can join us!

Some pics of years past: