White Sweater

Tired from a long day at work, the young man looked down at the little faces staring up at him as he walked in the door. "Daddy, I scratched my elbow today at school" the smallest says. He gently lifts her elbow to his lips and kisses it. "All better?" She smiles the sweetest smile at him and as if he performed a medical miracle - she is suddenly healed. Dropping his briefcase he quietly fixed them dinner while they told him the adventures of their day. The 2nd grade class lost the turtle on the playground but found him just before school let out. Oh the drama!

His mother walks through the door - dusting the snow off of her coat. "Hello? Anyone home?" The children dash from the dinner table and rush to give her hugs. He casually looks at his mother "Thanks for coming". She winks at her youngest son signaling to him she is proud of him - which she is.

He's going out tonight. He always hated going out to parties but forced himself at least once a week...ok once a month, to go out and be social. His life was so busy with dance lessons, drum lessons and playing family physician. Who had time to date? He had no expectations but he glided to his room to get ready. He wanted to at least look nice even if he probably would play pool all night while not noticing another soul in the room. It was his best effort considering all he had gone through. He forced the unwanted images of her out of his head. His khaki pants were crisp from the dry cleaners as he pulled his fleece henley over his head. Checked his teeth once before leaving the bathroom and headed to say goodnight to his children. "Goodnight Daddy" they all chimed in unison. Like a tiny chorus all in tune, their voices cheered him up. They were what got him through the bad times. They gave the inspiration when he really wanted to give up. He had no other choice...when....

"Thank you Mom" was all he said as he walked out of the doorway and into the snowy night. His jeep was already covered in snow again. While he brushed the snow off of his car he continued questioning why he was actually doing this. He really wanted to stay home. As he drove, he played the music on the radio really loud hoping to drown out his thoughts of turning the car around.

As predicted, he played pool all night long. He had one beer early in the night but found his brooding mood just wouldn't allow him to have fun. As he walked into the kitchen to grab another round of wings - he dumped his entire plate onto a beautiful white cashmere sweater. It seemed like an eternity before he got the nerve to look apologetically at the blue eyes which stared back at him in shock. "I...am.....so......" and right as he was about to say "sorry" the young woman drenched in buffalo wing sauce started laughing. Her smile was contagious and beautiful...and as he smiled back at her he realized - it was the first time he had smiled in over a year.

There are times in your life when you see the road turn in a direction you didn't expect.


Remember: Sometimes a ruined sweater isn't such a bad thing afterall.

Speaking of winners....

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY

MIXED DOUBLES TENNIS TEAM
5-0 today

on their matches!

WOOHOO!

Put yourself in her sho..errrr skates.

The Michelle Kwan Situation.

If you haven't heard, Michelle Kwan injured her groin and was unable to compete in the US Nationals in January. The top 3 skaters from that competition go on to compete in the Olympics for the USA. Since she was unable to compete, Michelle petitioned the Committee and was allowed to compete for the US at the Olympics.

From The US Figure Skating Site:
"The International Committee made their decision based on the 2006 U.S. Olympic Athlete Selection Procedures and the information submitted in Kwan's petition. "

To see Michelle's skating resume view her BIO page. Certainly she has the creditials to be on the team.

The situation:
You have an injury. Whether self inflicted or crime related (HELLO TONYA HARDING) you are out of commission to compete for a spot on the Olympic Team at Nationals but the injury could be healed in time for the Olympics. You have dedicated your LIFE to a SPORT and now you have to make a decision.

What would you do?

I would have petitioned the Commission to allow me to be on the team. No question.

I would have felt bad for Emily Hughes because my situation could potentially knock her out of the Competition.

But to deny myself that opportunity - a chance to try - would have been as just as unfortunate.

The decision wasn't hers to let her on the team. The decision was hers to petition and prove she deserved to be placed on the team. You cannot blame her for trying.

She goes to Turino and reinjures herself and withdraws from the competition. Again, the right thing to do. She evaluated her health in enough time to give Emily a reasonable amount of time to fly halfway across the globe to compete in her first world arena. I would have not done it any differently.

I feel so sad for Michelle Kwan. I can't image the hurt from the twist of fate that has become her final olympics. She is a beautiful skater - and I say hats off to her.

Remember: Put yourself in someone else's shoe...errr skates. :)

And the crowd chants USA! USA! USA!

PATRIOTISM

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot·ism
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&-"ti-z&m, chiefly British 'pa-
Function: noun
: love for or devotion to one's country

My Dad is a lot of things and one of the most pronounced things is...he's a patriot. He loves this country and is proud to call this land his home. This devotion to a land and the rewards from such devotion is something he has taught my sister and myself. He is a staunch *insert political party here* and criticizes opposing leaders as a way to exercise his freedom to do so. One thing I learned early on, growing up in Smalltown USA, was that whenever Americans stand together, great things can happen. THAT is why I love the Olympics. Everyone is joined together, rooting for the home team and that just feels really nice. Whenever you see a group of Americans waving the flag, how can you not feel a sense of pride?

I am proud of the US Athletes, even those who have not yet competed.

And the crowd chants USA! USA! USA!


Remember: Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. - African Proverb

The most IMPORTANT people in the world....

Do you know who the most important people are in the world? You might say, Ally! HELLO! we are all equal! Or you might say - the President is the most important person in the world. Or you might say - you are the most important...

I'm sorry. You are wrong.

Children are the most important people in the world. They are the future and we have a responsibility to guide them to be the best they can be, to recycle, to write, to conserve energy, to be kind to others, to be inquisitive, to grow trees, to ride a bike (BALANCE!), just EVERYTHING.

Its why sometimes when I see adults who are so full of themselves and just laugh. People who place their self worth into their "job" or their "book smarts". I hate to be judgemental but get real. I have a serious question for you. You won't find the answer in any college course. Why would you put so much of your self worth into something like that when there is always someone smarter than you AND you are easily replaced?

Make a positive difference in someone's life. Stop being a tool.

Remember:

One Hundred Years from now
(excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft)

One Hundred Years from now
It will not matter
what kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
how much money was in my bank account
nor what my clothes looked like.
But the world may be a better place because
I was important in the life of a child.