Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Yay for Juicing

Many of you know that I packed on about 25 pounds of pudge during my cancer treatment last year. It was so discouraging as I had already worked so hard to lose about 70 pounds. Stinkin' cancer. Not enough to threaten my life, gotta pack on the pudge too?! When I was home with my family over Christmas my Dear Friend told me about this movie on netflix, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead." I can't tell you how much the title resonated with me. The movie touts the benefits of juicing, (not to be confused with steroid use...haha), vegetable juicing. I figured it would be a good idea to try it. I had juiced veggies during chemotherapy at the suggestion of someone who beat Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer....but honestly, could not stomach the thought of it for awhile after chemo. Fast forward 2 months since I started my "Reboot" and I am down a glorious 25 pounds. First of all, I feel like I have found my secret weapon. Second of all, yes! 25 pounds! Woot woot! ...

Long hair...to be or not to be?

I am reaching out for your opinion. That's right, you! My hair has reached that awkward stage of the grow out...you know the one, girls. When it's not quite long, but not quite short. It's the time when most of us girls will just say, 'ah, forget it...I'm cutting it again.' So I thought I'd show pics of a really cute short cut, and kinda nice long one and ask what you think. This is a recent pic of me with my short hair. Cute, right? This is me not too long before I moved to New York. I think I will have bangs this time though..and more layers because my hair LOVES to curl in the New York humidity. So, take a second and let me know what you think. Should I keep it short, or let it grow out?

I got a J-O-B

Sunshine all around, folks. I got a J-O-B! Yesterday I accepted an offer from NY Foundling, a large social service agency in New York City. I will be in their foster care division in Brooklyn doing case management, court advocacy, investigations and parent/foster care family work. I am very excited! The agency is solid and the position will allow me to use my skills and grow as a professional. So, you guessed it, I am a real live social worker! Finally! Thank you to all of you who cheered for me, prayed for me, and kept me on track when I got discouraged. We did it!