Have you heard about Gloria Strauss? If you’re like me, you’ve been either listening to Tom Curran’s radio program, Sound Insight, or reading Jerry Brewer’s column in the Seattle Times about this amazing young lady.
Gloria Strauss died last Friday after a 4-year bout with an insidious form of cancer. Jerry Brewer, a sports reporter for the Times, began covering it probably because her dad is the basketball coach at Kennedy High School in the Seattle area. It turned into a front page journal that chronicled Gloria and her family. I can’t do justice to the incredible faith journey this was and the lives Gloria touched in this short blog post. Suffice it to say that the faith Gloria placed in the Lord and the immense power of prayer is a lesson in humility, faith, trust, and love for all of us. I urge you to learn more about Gloria Strauss.
To read Jerry Brewer’s journal in the Seattle Times, click here.
To listen to Tom Curran’s interview with her parents, click here.
This week will be the culmination of the celebration of her life. Please keep Gloria and her family in your prayers. I have a feeling we are all in hers!
Blessings,
Dan
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Blondie Rule #2 – Lessons from my dog – The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated
Last month (August 20), the Blondie Rule #1 dealt with overcoming “analysis paralysis”. This month, you will learn how my dog has taught me about perseverance.
The famous quote by Mark Twain listed in the title surely applies to Blondie. In late December of 2004, she was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her gum. The veterinarian had taken as much out as possible, but sadly reported that she didn’t get it all. At the time, Blondie was 13 years old and all the treatments were very invasive and costly. We opted to do nothing, except make our friend as comfortable as she could be for the remainder of her life. She was given a death sentence of 2 to 3 months.
Fast forward to today and Blondie is 16 ½ and those 2-3 months are almost 3 years. The cancer has come back and spread some. In fact, just a few weeks ago, she was looking so bad and struggling so much; we began mentally preparing for her to pass on over the weekend. She fooled us again. It’s been almost a month since that day and although I can’t say she’s going on strong, she perseveres and lives to fight another day. Sooner than later we will have to make that difficult decision when her quality of life erodes. Based on how she devoured her breakfast this morning, we’re not quite there yet!
Blondie reminds me that not every day is going to be better than the day before. Some days can bring frustration, pain, and struggle. But persevering, “grinding” out the tough days, and living to fight another day should be our mantra, too. Blondie didn’t understand the diagnosis she was given in December of 2004. She just kept living every day, even when some days weren’t as good as others.
I know I have days where I grouse and complain about things. Blondie reminds me that I need to get over myself and realize that struggle is a necessary part of life; it makes us stronger. Instead of trying to be the person my dog thinks I am, I guess I just need to be more like my dog!
The famous quote by Mark Twain listed in the title surely applies to Blondie. In late December of 2004, she was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her gum. The veterinarian had taken as much out as possible, but sadly reported that she didn’t get it all. At the time, Blondie was 13 years old and all the treatments were very invasive and costly. We opted to do nothing, except make our friend as comfortable as she could be for the remainder of her life. She was given a death sentence of 2 to 3 months.
Fast forward to today and Blondie is 16 ½ and those 2-3 months are almost 3 years. The cancer has come back and spread some. In fact, just a few weeks ago, she was looking so bad and struggling so much; we began mentally preparing for her to pass on over the weekend. She fooled us again. It’s been almost a month since that day and although I can’t say she’s going on strong, she perseveres and lives to fight another day. Sooner than later we will have to make that difficult decision when her quality of life erodes. Based on how she devoured her breakfast this morning, we’re not quite there yet!
Blondie reminds me that not every day is going to be better than the day before. Some days can bring frustration, pain, and struggle. But persevering, “grinding” out the tough days, and living to fight another day should be our mantra, too. Blondie didn’t understand the diagnosis she was given in December of 2004. She just kept living every day, even when some days weren’t as good as others.
I know I have days where I grouse and complain about things. Blondie reminds me that I need to get over myself and realize that struggle is a necessary part of life; it makes us stronger. Instead of trying to be the person my dog thinks I am, I guess I just need to be more like my dog!
Dan
Friday, September 21, 2007
So Long Cy
Do you remember when you met someone who had an impact in your personal and professional life? I’ll never forget meeting Cy Wyse. Cy was a mountain of a man in his early 70’s. He had been an outstanding basketball and football player in his youth and you could tell that although he was older, he had been an imposing figure. He had the biggest hands I’d ever seen and a powerful grip. He introduced himself to me after my first basketball practice at North Kitsap High School. He asked permission to watch practices, not to critique me he carefully stated, but to watch his granddaughter, who was a junior on the team, play. I agreed and that was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Over the course of the next seven years, Cy became a friend and mentor. Now don’t get me wrong, he certainly had his opinions, but he was steadfast in his belief that the coach was the coach, and his or her word was law. Cy was always courtside at our games, even after his granddaughter graduated. He was always available to offer me sage advice, mentor me, and listen when I just needed to vent. He would invite me over to his house for some lemonade that his lovely bride, Alma would fix for us. I don’t think I ever got out in less than two hours! His stories and wisdom were priceless.
Cy passed away on Wednesday (September 19) and he will be missed by a large extended family, including the community he worked so hard to build. He was a champion for the youth, spending countless hours mentoring students, coaching athletes, and lobbying to gain increased parks and facilities. Cy was a good friend and mentor to me and I’m eternally grateful. I will miss him.
So who is that someone that has had an impact on you? Maybe the better question is - whose life have YOU impacted? We’re only on this earth a short time. Being a mentor and friend to someone else is not only a nice thing to do, it’s incumbent on all of us because someone did it for us. The best thing I can do in thanks for Cy’s generosity to me is to give that back to someone else. What about you? Whose life can you impact in a positive way?
Dan
Over the course of the next seven years, Cy became a friend and mentor. Now don’t get me wrong, he certainly had his opinions, but he was steadfast in his belief that the coach was the coach, and his or her word was law. Cy was always courtside at our games, even after his granddaughter graduated. He was always available to offer me sage advice, mentor me, and listen when I just needed to vent. He would invite me over to his house for some lemonade that his lovely bride, Alma would fix for us. I don’t think I ever got out in less than two hours! His stories and wisdom were priceless.
Cy passed away on Wednesday (September 19) and he will be missed by a large extended family, including the community he worked so hard to build. He was a champion for the youth, spending countless hours mentoring students, coaching athletes, and lobbying to gain increased parks and facilities. Cy was a good friend and mentor to me and I’m eternally grateful. I will miss him.
So who is that someone that has had an impact on you? Maybe the better question is - whose life have YOU impacted? We’re only on this earth a short time. Being a mentor and friend to someone else is not only a nice thing to do, it’s incumbent on all of us because someone did it for us. The best thing I can do in thanks for Cy’s generosity to me is to give that back to someone else. What about you? Whose life can you impact in a positive way?
Dan
Monday, September 17, 2007
Are You Prepared for the Unexpected Test?
I’m teaching my first class for the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research tomorrow in Seattle. The class is for Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) and I’m at the stage of the process to teach the first half of the class. Presenting in front of a group has never been an issue for me; however there are a couple areas that have me nervous.
I’ve got a brand new laptop and projector with great slides that my daughter, Mindy helped me put together. The problem is I’ve never used either in a formal presentation, so I spent all Saturday night making sure I knew how to connect the laptop to the projector and make sure I knew how to use the wireless mouse and laser (I’ve never had control of a little red dot on a screen, but it’s pretty cool). Still, using new gadgets for the first time in a live presentation always makes me a little uneasy. You never know what challenges you will run into with the configuration of the room, the positioning of outlets, or a just Murphy showing up and imposing his law on you.
I’ve tried to learn from experience to bring extra things just in case – batteries, dry erase pens, Kleenex…you never know what challenges you will have to overcome. Most importantly, those people in the class are counting on me to teach them well enough to pass their test.
Are you well prepared to meet those unknown challenges in your faith life? What challenges do you face on a daily basis? Maybe the better question is, do we even recognize them as challenges? One of mine is to make sure I pray the Rosary daily. I have to admit, some days I miss because life happens, I’m tired, or (I hate to admit this) I just didn’t feel like it. I know where those excuses come from…the one person that doesn’t want me saying the Rosary…the Devil. The Devil doesn’t tempt us by just popping in and say “Hey there, I’m the Devil and I’m here to tempt you today!” He is much more subtle; placing excuses in your head for not doing whatever it is that you know is right for your spiritual life. Those are really the temptations we need to be cautious of…the ones that prompt us to take the easy road. We have to remember where that easy road leads. Christ proclaims that to follow Him is a much more difficult road and sometimes we have to do things we don’t want or feel like doing, even if it is difficult or distasteful. Think of Christ carrying His cross and being crucified for our sake. Difficult and distasteful are HUGE understatements. It was a road that had to be taken, even though he was tempted Himself by the Devil not to take it.
Be prepared for the temptations or challenges you face daily by raising your awareness of what temptations are. Persevere and do what is right in your spiritual life, even if you don’t feel like doing it or it’s not convenient. Pack your spiritual briefcase with those extra items you may need because you never know when your next challenge will come.
Vivat Jesus,
Dan
I’ve got a brand new laptop and projector with great slides that my daughter, Mindy helped me put together. The problem is I’ve never used either in a formal presentation, so I spent all Saturday night making sure I knew how to connect the laptop to the projector and make sure I knew how to use the wireless mouse and laser (I’ve never had control of a little red dot on a screen, but it’s pretty cool). Still, using new gadgets for the first time in a live presentation always makes me a little uneasy. You never know what challenges you will run into with the configuration of the room, the positioning of outlets, or a just Murphy showing up and imposing his law on you.
I’ve tried to learn from experience to bring extra things just in case – batteries, dry erase pens, Kleenex…you never know what challenges you will have to overcome. Most importantly, those people in the class are counting on me to teach them well enough to pass their test.
Are you well prepared to meet those unknown challenges in your faith life? What challenges do you face on a daily basis? Maybe the better question is, do we even recognize them as challenges? One of mine is to make sure I pray the Rosary daily. I have to admit, some days I miss because life happens, I’m tired, or (I hate to admit this) I just didn’t feel like it. I know where those excuses come from…the one person that doesn’t want me saying the Rosary…the Devil. The Devil doesn’t tempt us by just popping in and say “Hey there, I’m the Devil and I’m here to tempt you today!” He is much more subtle; placing excuses in your head for not doing whatever it is that you know is right for your spiritual life. Those are really the temptations we need to be cautious of…the ones that prompt us to take the easy road. We have to remember where that easy road leads. Christ proclaims that to follow Him is a much more difficult road and sometimes we have to do things we don’t want or feel like doing, even if it is difficult or distasteful. Think of Christ carrying His cross and being crucified for our sake. Difficult and distasteful are HUGE understatements. It was a road that had to be taken, even though he was tempted Himself by the Devil not to take it.
Be prepared for the temptations or challenges you face daily by raising your awareness of what temptations are. Persevere and do what is right in your spiritual life, even if you don’t feel like doing it or it’s not convenient. Pack your spiritual briefcase with those extra items you may need because you never know when your next challenge will come.
Vivat Jesus,
Dan
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