Being Forgettable

When my time on earth is through....how will I be remembered?

I used to focus hard on this.  I had things that I wanted to accomplish, places I wanted to see and people I wanted to meet.  One event in our lives changed my perspective and now what I originally wanted for myself has faded away for a much bigger purpose.

Truth be told, I know that peoples' opinions of me varies.  I know that some people have a lot of respect for me and what I attempt to do.  I know that some people think that I am a fool for walking away from a job and currently being unemployed.  I know that some people think I am an asshole for being moody and sometimes saying what's on my mind.  Don't get me wrong, I want to be a person that every feels to be trustworthy and dependable.  I have "audible" my thoughts on my public perception and have focused more on the actions/tasks rather than what people think of me.  It's amazing the amount of mental freedom I have gained by following my heart, and more importantly, God's plan for me.

Prior to this year, I had spent 3 years assisting the CPU Storm baseball team.  A group of young men that have played together since the ages of 8-9.  With no son on the team, I started to grow close to these young men and developed relationships with these guys that put me in a position to teach them the game of baseball and how to be responsible young men.  It also put me in position to learn things from these boys that I never would have learned otherwise.

Sadly, I decided at the end of last season, that I would no longer have the time to give these boys the appropriate commitment to assist coaching them this year.  A decision that was both very tough and heart breaking for me.

As they started preparing for their season this year, I couldn't help but think about how they were doing and so on.  But things have a funny way of working out.....

I walked away from my job for personal reasons, which was also tough to do, but in the long run the best decision for me and my family.  Once news of this got out, I found myself surrounded by five of the players, asking me to come back and help with the team.  After talking with my family, I agreed to come back and help.

Long story short, this season has been incredible!  We had our ups and downs, but have really grown as a team and are currently in first place in our division.  Coaches are often times measured based on wins and losses, it's the nature of the beast of coaching.  I think this season has been successful for many other reasons.  I am not a believer in "moral" victories, but a huge fan of lessons outside of the game that are learned.

Our coaching staff, lead by John Harris, has challenged these boys to be uncomfortable, which for many of them meant stepping up and being leaders.  We challenged them to play at their highest level and push on for more of themselves.  The philosophy is that we understand that we are coaching a group of young men that statistically will never play in the Major Leagues, but will be professional in life someday.  We ask for 100% effort 100% of the time in 100% of the things they do.  I think of my role as coaching young men to be men and not so much to be baseball players.  Baseball is just the platform in which is used to facilitate the lessons.  I can honestly say that these young men have answered the call and I am very excited for their futures and look forward to be a spectator to their successes.

Later in life, when these boys have become men, and have moved on to careers of their choice, with families of their own, I don't expect to be remembered (my ego isn't that big).  What I hope is remembered is the things they learned while being part of a team.  I hope they remember the things they accomplished with the effort they put forth.  Remembering the lessons and not the people who helped facilitate them.

I am proud of these boys for what they have accomplished and for the things the will accomplish in the future.

I mention this example because this is how I want to remembered....which is not at all.

God has made his plan clear to me and I now have the responsibility of following through with his plan.  All praise to Him as he has placed me in a position to do things to help those in the Type 1 Diabetes community.  I don't care to be recognized for the things that I/We have done to help make living with Type 1 diabetes better and progress towards the cure.  I do hope to live long enough to see a cure for my daughter.

My wife is taking the same stance.  She is doing the JDRF Ride To Cure in LaCrosse, WI this year.  Her first bike ride of this distance (100 miles) and it will be tough.  She is $1200 away from her goal and needs your help.  If you, your business or someone you know would like to donate and help her meet her goal, please contact us.  Thank you.