The season of Hope and Brackets…
I admit it, I’m a sucker for Spring.
Some of my neighbors are still holding out for one good snowfall. They still think Old Man Winter is hiding behind one of their big oak trees, waiting to pounce. It’s not gonna happen! And, quite frankly, why would you want it to happen? Maybe it’s because I’m from Southern California, but winter on this coast is very over-rated. A few cold days, a stiff breeze and a gray day is plenty of winter for me. More than the lack of snow, this winter was nice because we had so many blue sky, sunny days. The world is a happier place when the sun shines. Our battles seem easier to face when the sun beats down from above.
And now we have the beginnings of Spring. Hope is the perfect companion on a Spring day. I was visiting with my neighbor who is fighting her breast cancer with every healthy cell in her body and she has such high hopes for a healthy life ahead. She’s in the middle of treatment and yet she’s outside walking her dogs, inhaling the warm, fresh air of the new season. Hope is her partner in all of this.
Hope plays a roll in March Madness too. Yes, it’s that time of year when college basketball rules. Spring, Hope and Brackets…it’s a beautiful triple play. We all have our favorites; some teams will advance in the tournament and make us look like we know what we’re doing. Others will break our hearts after just one game….but it doesn’t matter because it’s just another lesson that we’ve learned and we’ll do it all again next year, full of new hope and a new bracket.
I”m always reminded of Leroy’s entry with the Hopkins group one year when he was in the midst of his cancer struggle. We watched game after game after game. He kept circling his picks as they advanced in the tournament. My picks were in red ink, his were in black. It came down to the final four and it dawned on us, he was two games away from winning the whole thing. In fact he WON that year. His was the only entry to run the table.
Spring, Hope and Brackets…The Season is Upon Us!!
March 22, 2012 @ 3:10 am
Once upon a time, I turned pages for Jamie when he performed the Kreutzer Sonata at a studio class. This was before I played it myself, so I was unfamiliar with the theme & variations movement. There’s one particular variation which is 2 straight pages of 16th notes, and 2 repeats. I made the mistake of glancing away from the page for a second, and discovered to my horror when I looked back that I couldn’t remember a) where we were, and b) whether we had done the repeats. I ended up half-standing & hovering for what seemed like an eternity, with Jamie kindly giving me subtle no shakes and finally a clear yes nod.Then there was the time that I turned for a friend playing in a vocal recital @ Scotiafest. He asked me at the last minute as a favour, so I accepted, forgetting that I was battling the remnants of a nasty cough. There’s nothing like being on stage and NOT BEING ALLOWED TO COUGH that will make you want to cough up a lung. I managed to get through the entire thing without once coughing during a piece, but then had a friend in the audience comment on the odd expression on my face at various times.
March 21, 2012 @ 5:50 am
Dear Baby Ava,Hearts around this whole Country are ichang for you and your family. A roller coaster of emotions, from such sorrow and tears, to such anger that this man was so heartless as to get into a car, in his condition and drive. I cry when I see your pictures, but can’t help but believe it will all be ok. It just has to be. You have been such a fighter so far and beaten the odds. I truly believe you will continue to do so for as long as it takes. I would just love to wrap my arms around you little one. Hugs to mom and dad as they struggle right along with you. My prayers seem to flow all day as I think of you so often. I do believe that God has gotten the message and he WILL lay his healing hands on your little body and make you all better as kids say. I have 9 grandkids of my own, and your tragedy has definitely made us all more aware of our own mortality. Stay strong little one and God be with you throughout this whole ordeal
March 13, 2012 @ 9:07 am
I love March Madness. The number 1 seeds…well OK. I’m always looking for and rooting for a tiny school who perhaps came to the Ball through the back door but is nevertheless there. The Bigs always get their glory and fanfare but this may be the only chance for a tiny Cinderella to outlast and outplay the Bigs and hoist the trophy. It is possible. There is always Hope. I’m an optimist so I always believe in Miracles and Hope. Go Cinderella…cut down the nets!!!
March 21, 2012 @ 7:11 am
George & Ann Marie,Words cannot sxerpes how deeply I feel for your family. I am a first time mom to an 8 month old baby boy and mother to mother, Ann Marie, you have got to be one of the strongest people I know. Ava is so lucky to have you! I watched her video of her first breath with joy but also amazement at how strong you are staying for her. Your family is in my prayers.With love,Becky *Lord please lift up baby Ava and surround her with your healing grace. Comfort her, heal her and bring her back to perfect health. Lord, bless her parents and family who have stood by her side, steadfast and strong looking to you for guidance and praying for their beautiful baby girl. Lord, only your healing power can descend upon this precious baby and make her better. We know you make miracles happen! In your holy name I pray. Amen.
March 22, 2012 @ 10:38 pm
I pray for Ava daily and think of her often time throughout the day. This could very aesily be any one of us in this situation. I think about all the wreckless drivers there are on the roads. I pray that this sweet angel makes a full recovery. I have been praying for a miracle for my baby girl Abigail since she was born. Yesterday I got my miracle. My sweet baby has avoided her first surgery and does not need a nerve repair. Now I will continue to pray for Ava’s miracle. I understand the fear and hopelessness watching your child laying in a hospital bed. I will continue to pray for and love Ava. May God reach out and lay his hands on this family and contiue to bless them.