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The return of the 10………

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Today the ten players we dropped off at Northwestern for the Best of the Best Lacrosse Camp returned, and it was easy to see their transformation. Last year the two who went, my Assistant Coach’s daughter Maddi and my daughter Stephanie, came back much better players, yet they said they felt like fish out of water there because everyone was so much better. What a difference a year makes! This year, the ten shared that they were “deeply disappointed” that they lost by one goal in the championship game of the camp session (how did they develop that much???) and our goalie who also went to the camp, Jessica (we call her a Rock Star in goal) was named the top goalie of the whole camp! We are seeing some amazing transformation right before our eyes and now they want to get out and practice SOON even though our regular season begins in March of 2009!

It’s so cool! In a day and age that we see so much confusion and angst among teens, it is refreshing to see such positive focus. I am relatively new to the sport of lacrosse only having been an Assistant Coach one year and a Head Coach this past year. But in all my years of coaching (which there have been many in other sports) I have not seen such quality athletes or such enthusiasm. If I could just get them to stop singing loudly in the van when we travel I would say they would be just about perfect. But if they keep playing well and getting better, I may just wear earplugs and count my blessings.

Anyway, that’s about it for my post today……I just wanted to give a plug as a proud father and coach. Tomorrow is the day we are celebrating Ben’s first birthday, so I have a bit of work to do. (His actual birthday is Monday) But I wanted to post before my wife put me to work as pre-party labor.

Goodnight….and God Bless.

Tom+

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Priming the pump……

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Today is a big day for me. Of all the days since my stroke, it is the most ambitious day for me of all. Today, I will attempt to both write and practice a sermon for this Sunday. I think it will be fine, after all I have been writing pretty well for days and everything seems to be getting better. I just need to see if my thoughts and my words come together comfortably, but even more than that, reading and speaking together in such a way are yet to be attempted, let alone to do in in front of people, so I need to see if it works. There are lots of little hurdles, all of which I intend to clear, but they are ones that are still in front of me. I am not worried about it all that much….I am really more excited to get over them.

It reminded me of an old lawnmower I used to have…..it was pretty hard to start. Every time the grass would get long, I would have to take the top off the air filter and spray a little fuel into the carburetor in order to, as they say, “prime the pump.” In doing so, I was giving it a little help to get it started. Once it got running, it was fine and ran like a champ. It was just a little hard to get going when it was cold.

I suppose however, we all are. I am aware, more than anyone, of my condition, and I am always learning more each and every moment about my current abilities and limitations. The keyword however, is “current.” Because with hard work and dedication, and even with a little priming, abilities can be increased and limitations exceeded…..or better yet left far behind.

As most of you may know, I coach high school lacrosse and was (and need to be again) an athlete. There’s a saying I always remember and share with my players, not just applicable in sports, but in life…..”live to play another day.” When we go overboard, we take ourselves out. When we do too little or not enough, we never get to where we need to be. As for me, I’m doing what I should. I am priming that pump and mooooving ahead (yes, a cow joke….I am from Indiana) but I am excited, ecstatic in fact to do so!

Keep praying for me. I need not walk here alone! The Lord is always with us, but we always enjoy His greatest blessings when we are walking together.

I hope to see everyone on Sunday!

Fr. Tom+