Kindness Matters

TJ told me a story the other day about our time at Disney that really warmed my heart. I do not think he knows the impact that it had on me as his mother; he told me the story in passing-- kind of a "oh mom, this funny thing happened the other day I forgot to tell you about" moment. But it speaks to the kind of person TJ is growing up to be and that somehow he understands that kindness matters.

The story? It all took place at the swimming pool in our resort at Disney. TJ and Grant were playing on the water slide. Going up, going down, and then going up again. Repeatedly. Lots of fun and lots of energy. Boys.

TJ said that there was a little boy wanting to go down the water slide too, but he seemed kind of scared. So he stood off to the side watching TJ and Grant hurl themselves into the tube and moments later be back to do it all again. In all the fun, TJ stopped to acknowledge the little boy and his hesitation. He said "Hey, you wanna go? It will be lots of fun. Here, go before me!" And he moved out of line gesturing for this little boy to seize the moment.

TJ explained that after his invitation, this little boy stood in wonder. His eyes got really big and full of surprise. As he approached the slide ready to go, he said. "Wow. You are the first big kid that has been nice to me. Thanks." And away he went. Fear gone. Heart full.

I told TJ that this story speaks volumes for who he is as a person-- his CHARACTER and that even in the little things, TJ is not only aware of others, but he is kind. Even to the little guys.

I am proud of the person that TJ is becoming. He has grown a lot in this past year. Taking on more responsibility around the house, being more focused in school, helping out for helping out's sake, and making good choices, and now an other example to add to the list.

Thank you for remembering to share that story with me, TJ. May you always remember that kindness matters!

I Did It!

Oh yes, I did. I completed the Disney Dopey Challenge. Back in 2018, Rich ran the challenge in honor of his 50th birthday and referred to it as a "Bucket List" item. I am referring to it as my "If Rich could do it, I can to" statement as I usher in my 50th year on this earth. 

I've been a little shy to share my news of training for this crazy feat. 4 races in 4 days, each doubles the distance of the last race. Rich wanted to broadcast my progress via social media, but I stayed reserved-- not wanting to jinx my effort or tout that I know what I am doing. In all honesty, I winged most of training-- knowing what I had to do in a general sense but not following a set training schedule, diet, cross training routine, etc. I copied what my running friends were doing as they prepared for the Las Vegas Marathon two months before and then just tacked on some consecutive running days where I doubled my mileage. I had a "mini dopey" week where I ran 3, 6, 10, and then 20 miles consecutively. 

The biggest challenge I had during training was listening to my body. I certainly tested some muscles and clearly discovered those injuries that result on "overuse." But thankfully I was directed to see a physical therapist who swears by dry needling-- and now I swear by it too. She got me through to race day(s) feeling more prepared and ready to prove to myself that I had what it takes to do the Dopey. 

Mind you, the last marathon I have run was back in 2003-- the Marine Corps Marathon. That is 17 years ago. A lot of life has happened between then and now. And from what I recall of the marathon, it was no picnic. I struggled at mile 22 through 26. So to just jump right back into the marathon ring by doing the dopey seemed, well. . . a little dopey. But my mantra pulled me forward. "If Rich could do it, I can too." 

And so marathon weekend came and went. People are right when they say one of the hardest parts of the whole challenge is to wake up so early for four consecutive days. My alarm clock was set for 3:00 AM Thursday thru Saturday and then 2:30 AM on Sunday. It is odd to run the majority of the races in the dark and so early. It forces you to focus on getting sleep during the day and to use that time to recover and rebuild for the next day. Thankfully, I had a very understanding husband and some great kids who gave me the space I needed to take care of me when we were in a place that could easily have been all about them. 

The other hard part was the weather: one of the few things the runner has no control over, and therefore stresses over ALL THE TIME. Will I be too hot? Will I be too cold? In 2018 I remember the weather being FREEZING! I think it was down in the 30s with only the high in the 40s. Layers for that kind of weather is important. So I came prepared with lots of layers and some costume ideas. 

But, wouldn't you know it, in 2020 we got to experience the other side of the continuum: it was freaking HOT! We are talking 80s with high humidity. And I haaaate running in hot weather. So, I had to readjust and think about running with little. Costumes were out for all but the first day. I needed to run sensibly. 

I captured each event with pictures and a reflection on social media that I will share here too. 

Dopey Challenge Day 1: 5K completed and I felt “Incredible!” Woke up early and ran a good pace with thousands of other crazy people. Due to the time of day, the entire race was in the dark. Not as much fun, but I’ll soak in the sights later this weekend. One down, three more to go! 

Dopey Challenge Day 2: Check the 10K off the list... and my days in Corral A! I got to feel like an elite runner when I found myself at the front of our starting wave. Just look at my position at the start! Disney is notoriously crowded, so I treasured the space to move around on the course. Made me run fast....maybe too fast. My legs are tired and I feel the fatigue setting in, right in time for the hard part. No more walking for this girl today! 

Dopey Challenge Day 3: So glad to have family here! Rich, the boys and my niece, Alyssa arrived to cheer me on!!! Rich came to the Half Marathon start with me and met me during mile 5 in the Magic Kingdom. Got to admit, running through the park gets me pumped up every time!! It was humid today which made the run a bit more challenging. It was so hot, even Olaf melted (see picture). Finished at a respectable time, but was ready to be done. Now I have to double this tomorrow? Oh boy!

Dopey Challenge Day 4: My first marathon was at Disney in 2001 with Camp Seafarer. My most recent was the Marine Corps 17 years ago (remember that one Kelly Ormond?) A lot of life has been lived between then and today. But I showed myself that I still have what it takes to get the job done.  

For the record, it was HOT and HUMID. 83 degrees and 93% humidity to be exact. Not the kind of weather you would expect in Orlando in January nor what one wants for a 26.2 mile run. But weather helped me lower my expectations for speed and allowed me to focus on running right (and helped me justify the pit stop I took in Animal Kingdom to ride Expedition Everest— yep, I rode a roller coaster in the middle of a marathon!!! 

I LOVED having Rich by my side (for at least part of the race), LOVED seeing my boys at mile 10 AND 24 (thank you Alyssa). So appreciative of Lisa Schreiner and Denette Jury coming down to be our support and the texts I got from running buddies back home.  

Today, I have reclaimed the title of Marathoner after an 17 year hiatus and added the Dopey to my list of crazy feats.... oh and a half dozen more medals for my collection!

Now that the challenge is passed, I feel accomplished. So many people congratulated me and praised me on Facebook and in person-- which has been great. But like so many other things that have challenged and tested me, I kind of feel like I did what needed to be done and did it. No big deal. Anyone can do it. It's a balance of pride and humility. But make no doubt that my medals are displayed on our wall right above Rich's medals from 2018! If he can do it, I can too! 

Soundtrack of My Youth

Up until my Freshman year of High School my musical tastes were limited to my mom's AM radio in the car, which was tuned to nothing but a Country channel; Conway Twitty, Emmylou Harris, Eddie Rabbit, and the Bee Gee's and Donna Summer as the result of the Disco craze. 

All of that changed when I heard the opening strains of Rush's 2112 - The Overture and Temple of Syrinx. The music was complex and the entire first side of the album told a story. I had never heard anything like it before. Ever.

Even more shocking was that the music was made by only three men: Geddy Lee on bass, Alex Lifeson on guitar, and Neil Peart on drums. I remember my frustration trying to share this new discovery with my parents who only heard banshee wails and screaming guitars. It dawned on me that this music, this was mine and belonged to my generation.  Just as I got turned on to Rush their biggest album (ever) dropped in stores, Moving Pictures, and I was hooked.  I owned it on vinyl and cassette. I went back and bought every previous Rush album ever produced. I poured over their lyrics and liner notes. The lyricist, Peart, was inspired by Ayn Rand so I read Atlas Shrugged. I saw Rush three or four times in concert. I cheered when they were (finally) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

There were, and still are, two camps; those that love Rush and those who cannot stand them. I always thought that those haters hated them because they didn't want to have think and listen at the same time.  Rush was hard rock, but it was cerebral and enigmatic.  There weren't any songs about meeting girls or raising hell - as opposed to the also popular AC/DC. There songs were about dystopian futures, (in)equality, freewill, and how the modern-day kid just blends into the background. Stories a nerdy male teenager could identify with. The critics and record industry might not have embraced them, but those teenagers became a strong fanbase that matured into diehard fans.

In my 20s my tastes changed again. Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Grunge became my go to music. Rush changed their sound around that time, more keyboards and slightly more mainstream Rock. I bought less Rush music but still loved listening to the music that I associated with my youth. I remember sitting in someone’s car at Burke Catholic High School and seeing the back of the album cover for 2112 – the guys were in tight silk pajamas and kimonos (what was that about?), driving my mom’s car in New York City to go to Madison Square Garden to see them in concert, and getting the album, Subdivisions, on cassette from Jimmy Burns for my 17^th birthday. I hear those songs now and I am transported back to my room, sitting in front of my dual tape deck stereo system and I smile.

Neil Peart died last week at age 67 from brain cancer.  Neil Peart was, without question, the best drummer Rock music ever saw.  As proof you need to watch this drum solo that was filmed near the end of the band's last tour. Rush had been together for over 42 years at that point with the same line up of the same three men. And so, Rush ended last week. It is almost like a personal loss, like losing that weird, eccentric uncle who you only hear from every few years - but is so cool. Relatable - the way people reacted when Elvis or Prince died. It hurt last week and still does now.

Thank you, Neil from all of us former nerdy, socially awkward High Schoolers looking to identify with something. You put the words and music to our otherwise ordinary lives. In the movie of my life your music will always there in the background.  

Welcome to the '20s

A new year, a new decade, a new look! 

Our New Year's Eve party with friends was inspired by the Roaring 20s; pinstripes, flapper dresses, suspenders and even thigh high stockings!

We drank pre-Prohibition whisky and champagne (but not mixed together) and played The Charleston in the background.

While no awards were given, Lisa and I voted ourselves Best Dressed. It turns out that I can do "dapper" very well and Lisa, well, Lisa looks good in anything (but the boa helps).

Good-bye 2019.  You were not that kind and we look forward to a better year ahead.