Saturday, June 30, 2012

Living the dream

Twenty two years ago on June 29,  I became a father for the second time.

I hope someday that I will be as good of a man as my son is.

Wrigley Field Tour, June 2012

When Adam graduated from high school one of his dreams was to either pursue an acting career on Broadway or pursue a career in sports broadcasting.  One of Adam's dreams was to someday be on Sports Center and replace Chris Berman.  Look out Boomer! He could go all the waaaaayyyyyyy!

I have watched with pride and amazement as Adam has begun to live his dream at the age of 22.   Adam is a co-host of a local radio show, Denver Sports Nation on Mile High Sports(1510 AM, 93.7 FM) on Saturday nights from 5-8.



Next week he and his partner Dario will fill in for Mac and Doog during drive time(3-6) on July 5 and July 6.

During one of their shows they will be joined by  two time Super Bowl winner and the Denver Broncos greatest running back in the history of the franchise, Terell Davis!  How cool is that?

If you haven't had a chance to check out their show, please tune in some time.  Adam and Dario have great on-air chemistry.  They are funny and they are having so much fun doing something they love.

Happy Birthday Adam!  I am so proud of you for the person you are and I am so inspired that you are living your dream and making it happen.

"Follow your bliss and the Universe will open doors where there were only walls."-Joesph Campbell


Thursday, June 21, 2012

A Dress for Tess: Part 1

Well I don't have a dress.  Not yet anyway, but I am going to get one in honor of Tess and post a picture of me wearing it, maybe even in gasp, public. I am not sure if putting on a dress and posting a picture of me wearing it is a strong offer to the world, but maybe that is what the world needs from me. This was never on my bucket list, but why not?

I loved this blog post  by Rhea Kelly from the Road is Life.  Please take a moment to read more about choosing to be brave, standing for another person by clicking here. 

In the meantime, I will post a picture of me wearing a pink wig.  That will have to suffice until I get my dress on for Tess.  Stay tuned...

Sue, me and Patti Digh at the Tattered Cover, May 2011. 
If you would like to join the Dress for Tess campaign, please click here. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Happy Trails to you

I went for a run Saturday morning like I have so many times.

I ran in through some of my favorite neighborhoods and parks, Bonnie Brae, Washington Park, Cheesman Park.

As I headed back, I could hear sirens and for some reason I felt uneasy.  I don't know why.  I hear sirens quite frequently when I am out running.

As I turned west towards Downing, a police car with lights on zoomed passed me and the officer stopped his car and turned it sideways, jumped out and immediately began diverting traffic to a side street.

I could see a firetruck and a group of runners stopped at the intersection on the other side of the light.  One runner looked like she was explaining what she had seen.  A witness an accident.

There was nothing for me to do, no reason to linger.  The first responders were present to give aid.  I ran on.

I found out yesterday that a runner(Mike Fontes) had been killed while crossing Speer Boulevard. I have crossed this street many times when I have been running.  It could have been me, it could have been anyone.   I do not know the circumstances of this tragic accident.  Initial reports are that the runner may have ignored a red light.


I did not know the runner that was killed, but as a member of the running community, I grieve for Mike, for his family and friends.

Mike's running coach posted on Facebook how he was struggling, trying to make sense of what had happened.  He sought refuge in his running, wanting to feel the connection to the earth beneath his feet, to hear his breath, to cry if he needed to.

I know exactly what he was doing.  I remember going for run the day Kelly died, the day my wife's mother died.

Seeking comfort, refuge from loss and pain, crying as I ran, hearing the sound of my foot striking on the road.

I finished my run and got in my car to come home to my family, to my life.  Mike didn't get to do that.


I ran this morning and pondered what had happened.  As I ran this morning, I took extra care as I crossed the streets.  If a car was even close to me this morning, I stopped and waited.  What difference would adding a few seconds or even a minute make in my run if I have to wait?  Well, maybe the difference is my life.


As a runner it is incumbent on us to be cautious, to create as much safety as we can for ourselves.  We need to make eye contact with the people that are driving in their cars.  Make sure they have seen us and they are aware that we are there.  Stop and smile, acknowledge the people who slow down for us and let us  safely cross the streets where we run. 


If you with a group of people, run no more than two across, alert the other people in the group if you see or hear a car.  Yell, "Car up", "Car Back."  It takes a second and it could save a life. 


Don't run on the streets with headphones.  Ever.  Save that for the treadmill.  


There is too much to see and listen for outside.  Commune with nature and it's surroundings.  Be mindful.  Headphone's don't create intention.  Leave them in the car, save that for the gym. 


Happy trails to you Mike. Run on. 

Monday, June 18, 2012

Bringing Families Together, Brianna's Day

I attended an event on Saturday to celebrate the life of Brianna Canacari.

I met Brianna's mother last fall at a 5K when I stopped by her booth.  A picture of her beautiful daughter caught my eye.  I was shocked to learn that Brianna had passed away at the age of 12 possibly engaged in something called "the choking game".  It is not a game at all, just an act of suffocating on purpose.

Click here to learn more about the choking game.

Cassandra Perkins(Global Voices Reaching Out) interviews Babs Canacari(Founder, B.R.I . Foundation)
I was very moved and inspired by the courage of this mother in dealing with this incredible heartbreak.  She is very clear now that her mission in life is to raise awareness about this risky behavior to save one life, one family from having to go through the unthinkable, the unknowable. 


If you know anyone that might be engaged in this behavior and might need help, Safe2Tell provides young people a way to report threatening behaviors or activities in a way that provides safety and anonymity.  Click here to learn more about Safe2Tell. 


Babs founded the B.R.I. foundation(Breathing Reassurance into Teens) in honor of her daughter.  Please sign the petition to end the choking game by clicking here. 


I will be participating in the Out of Darkness community walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide prevention with Babs on September 10, 2012


Please click here if you would like to make a donation to support Team Bri.

How can you help?
1. Talk to your children.  Be their advocate.
2. Sign the petition to end the choking game.
3. Make a donation to support Team Bri and sign up to participate in an Out of Darkness community walk.
4. Register as an Organ Donor.  Give life!

Light and Love, always and forever Bri.