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Honoring My Roots and Grabbing for the Brass Ring

The 2014 DCI season just ended. Each year, as my friends gear up to teach and design, I am reminded of what were some of the most amazing years of my life. I had the honor to march with Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 1986-1988. We grew so much over those three years. We killed it in 1988! Traveling, performing, loving and learning. It is hard to put into words all that it means. Those that have done it...they are the ones that understand. One of the things that will always remain with me is the self confidence and belief in my ability to do hard things...and the mentors that helped to instill those valuable things in me.............. Roxanne, Craig, Rueben, and John. These four are among those for whom I will be forever grateful. Taking a girl from square one, not even being able to spin a flag. Believing in her and helping her stand proud of being on an incredible guard that took 7th place at World Championships. And even at that, we were told we were robbed. Living that goodness at such a young age. Such a gift! With time, I thought I set it aside. Like it was a thing of my past, not resembling anything I do today. But through this hard journey of cancer, I am realizing it has been with me all along, shining through me, carrying me across it............... I knew I could do it because I knew I could do hard things. You don't practice in the heat of summer in the humid south, day in and day out, without learning what you are made of. Now that I am learning to run again after breaking my knee, it has been hot and humid here in DC. I know I can do it because I did it back then. I not only did it, I excelled in it. So as I tap into my roots, to the lessons and strengths that have been there, that have been molded there, I know the world is mine. The brass ring is there for me to grab. Only the strong will grab for it. Only the strong will obtain it. But it is there for us all. Shining. Reminding. Beckoning.

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