It's Wednesday, it's about 3 in the afternoon and I'm back on the radar screen. It actually feels like 3 in the afternoon, which isn't something that goes without saying after the last two weeks we've been through. This weekend we had our annual roller skating gala. Our what? Our annual Roller Skating Gala.
Here's the thing. My wife has been roller skating for almost 30 years now. Not inline skating, not disco roller skating, but figure skating. Just the kind you would see on ice, but then without the ice. Two years ago, the roller skating club she had been a member with since forever decided to call it a day. The board had reached a more than respectable average age and had never really taken care of any succession. Hence, they decided to stop all together. All the members, my darling wife included, where in shock. For a number of weeks, nothing much happened.
But then, about a month later, we are sitting in the garden, sharing a glass of white wine with her niece and her niece's partner, also two dedicated skaters who suddenly had found themselves unvoluntarily deprived of their hobby.
Somewhere during our conversation – and completely out of the blue - my wife and her niece decide to give it a try themselves. "What if we tried to start our own amateur roller skating company?" At first I wanted to know if it was the wine talking, but they were pretty convinced and convincing. "Better to give it our best shot and fail, than look back on this moment 20 years from now and feel sorry we never even tried." I couldn't argue with that. On the contrary, I joined the board.
Today we have just successfully finished our second annual Gala, two performances in a holiday on ice style. You know, with costumes, group and individual routines, music and light show, welcoming almost 1.000 spectators.
We are proud and humbled by the relentless efforts of 86 skating youngsters. "Our kids" got standing ovations and a crowd that brought the house down. I am so proud of each and everyone of them. And I am so proud of being able to share my life with someone who isn't afraid to try, to give it her all, to be vulnerable, make mistakes and learn from them.
I am very much aware that our little skating club isn't what the world was waiting for. That it isn't a paradigm shifting achievement. But it does mean the world to the 4 year old that was celebrated by the audience for being so terribly cute. It means the world to a number of youngsters who are growing up, trying to find their way and are being applauded to for bringing joy and beauty to 1.000 people. It means the world to one young woman that has to live with a mental disability, but can feel as if there is no one more important and more significant in the world than she is, right that very moment when all the spotlights are on her. It means the world to the little girl that found the strength within her self to do her performance despite her recently broken wrist. It means nothing at all, and it means the world to so many young lives.
My wife could have told herself it was the wine and decide not to give it a try.
But she did it and I love her for it.
It's Wednesday and we are starting to feel a little less like wrecks.
Take care,
Karl
Ad van Oyen 29 April 2009
Hi Karl,
Long time no see :-)
Nice post. It reminded me of a story I ran into this morning: A man is walking along a beach where thousands of starfish have been washed onto the sand. He sees another man, scooping and bending, then hurling something out to sea again and again. When he catches up, he sees that the man is throwing marooned starfish into the water.
“There are too many to save,” said the first man. “What you’re doing is meaningless.”
The second man flings another starfish into the water, looks at the first man, and smiles. “It certainly meant a great deal to that one.”
Don't lynch the pinch.
Ad
actioner 15 August 2011
To finally think, feel and know that I was worth it, as a person, to grant myself the smile I had craved for for so long. Yes indeed, that takes overwriting quite a lot of negativity. It was a 5 star jump out of my comfort zone.Abendkleider
Abend kleider
Brautkleider
Ballkleider
kleider online
Promkleider
Brautjungfer
Yoga Clothing
Luxury Yoga Bags
UK yoga store
yoga apparel
yoga mats
Coach 22 September 2011
lii
Thank you give us this good article! It is necessary to seller in particular air max. Certain cheap Coach Outlet overseas need a month for delivery coach outlet online. Therefore, if you want to purchase this cheap coach purses as a gift, you must be very clear, or you might miss the anniversary of your friend. Coach Factory outlet can be very comfortable and warm, reaching over nike dunk sb and a few considerations that are not expensive Prada Outlet. In addition to the plate of the car, it also ya a coach Puma Shoes, which is very popular and practical Supra Shoes. These Coach Bags was designed by Coach Outlet Online. The simple design offers these bags with classic coach outlet online. A robust exterior color difference inside is lined Coach Outlet Store. Never go with intent to endanger, try to go in coach factory outlet, even if they are on the hard discount in coach factory outlet online. Just run after the nike air yeezy is the best shoes. And you must also learn return louis vuitton outlet because the burden of international Coach Factory Outlet is very expensive.
sdfs 28 September 2011
007 dvd Students james bond dvd will 24 dvd compete 30 rock dvd on Microsoft alias dvd Word, ally mcbeal dvd Excel big love dvd and PowerPoint bones dvd tracks brothers and sisters dvd for boston legal dvd the charmed dvd Office cold case dvd 2007 and chuck dvd 2010 system. criminal minds dvd The 2012 curb your enthusiasm dvd contest desperate housewives dvd also marks disney 100 years of magic dvd the dexter dvd introduction dollhouse dvd of the deadwood dvd 2010 doctor who dvd Microsoft eli stone dvd Office entourage dvd Specialist family guy dvd (MOS) frasier dvd PowerPoint friends dvd exam ghost whisperer dvd for the http://boxsetszone.com first.
Name 29 September 2011
go for cute and classic with a perky pink cheap uggs
pair of shoes matched with a sweet fuzzy sweater. cheap uggs for sale
You cannot go wrong with this Australian footwear that looks cheap uggs
as great as it feels! ugg us
Your fantastic sheepskin boots or UGG Boots Kids
shoes can be worn year round, as the trend ugg boots uk
caught on in the swelter summers of Los Angeles ugg boots sale
when the hottest stars were spied tromping around town uggs london
in these fuzzy wonders. uggs uk
Especially great for cooler climates, these ugg clearance
sexy boots and shoes will keep your tootsies warm ugg australia uk
regardless of what Old Man Winter can throw your uggs sale
Once the spring thaw comes, do not back up ugg boots uk sale
your great boots, as they can make the transition ugg boots on sale
with your new wardrobe and look great with flirty uk ugg sale
You will find these Aussie wonders are
kept in the front of your closet and your
feet will not be able to get enough!
cheap designer handbags 7 October 2011
I was actually a structured cheap designer handbags type of add. I like a cheap handbags to keep its shape on its own, I do not like to be extra financial support, so I am putting Louis vuitton rapid 30 to my little sister. But, more like smooshy party, free to move a daily accessory.
designer handbags outlet using gray sunshine examples might be a back to see most of the two groups. Design a belt easily than the percentage of leather making up this night the clutch. It is like a serious wear accessories can be found in the handbags for cheape for... Or some type of discount designer handbags . However, some girls, there, can take off, the center of the city a fashionable style, this will be a perfect clutch in addition to anyone's inner artist. Croc printing line leather, you must admit that green tonal very striking.
jersey 18 October 2011
Steelers Jersey
Ben Roethlisberger Jersey
Brett Keisel Jersey
Byron Leftwich Jersey
Casey Hampton Jersey
Chris Kemoeatu Jersey
Evander Hood Jersey
Franco Harris Jersey
Heath Miller Jersey
Hines Ward Jersey
Ike Taylor Jersey
Jack Lambert Jersey
James Farrior Jersey
James Harrison Jersey
Jeff Reed Jersey
Jerome Bettis Jersey
Joe Greene Jersey
Kevin Greene Jersey
LaMarr Woodley Jersey
Lawrence Timmons Jersey
Limas Sweed Jersey
Lynn Swann Jersey
Maurkice Pouncey Jersey
Mel Blount Jersey
Mike Wallace Jersey
Mike Webster Jersey
President Obama Jersey
Rashard Mendenhall Jersey
Rocky Bleier Jersey
Rod Woodson Jersey
Ryan Clark Jersey
Santonio Holmes Jersey
Terry Bradshaw Jersey
Troy Polamalu Jersey
Willie Parker Jersey
chanel handbags 22 October 2011
Chanel wallet the status of being the most sought after name in the contemporary fashion industry. With their exquisite line of trendy goods, Chanel continues to be in demand.discount chanel wallet are generally a popular interest to all and are known to be the epitome of fashion.Chanel wallets can be a guilty pleasure for a fashion savvy buyer who believes in modern trends. They have everything ranging from haute couture to kittenish and somehow maintain cheap chanel wallet femininity in their unique styles. These exquisite wallets are a favorite luxury accessory throughout the world. It is also important that chanel 2.55 classic wallets are one of the most internationally acclaimed designer brands and offer the best quality.Even though the twentieth century was a ground for all contemporary fashion savvy designers, there is no doubt that chanel 2.55 classic purse has retained their name as a symbol for elegance and class.
yang 24 October 2011
Package, not only the storage of personal items, but also reflect a person's identity, status, economic status, or personality, and so on. Louis Vuitton bags outlet.Eye-opening bags of carefully selected, will you decorate a truly white-collar women. Some women in order to save time, on different occasions using the same, the only package with the dress does not match, because sometimes, it seems inconsistent. Louis Vuitton bag.Is best prepared several packages, work, leisure, and one dinner and other occasions. Dressed in civilian clothes, leisure and shopping bags, choose the style and lively, brightly colored bag or backpack, it is very easy to match the mood and dress. Dinner and other formal occasions, the package should use the more advanced, so that both the game and the dress, also courtesy of the owners said. Best use, attended the banquet style, or back handle style bag, do not hand bag, so as not to exchange business cards or ordering in, causing trouble.cheap Louis Vuitton bags. Choose a good package, is the election of the representatives of their own identity symbol.
jersey 24 October 2011
Steelers Jersey
Ben Roethlisberger Jersey
Brett Keisel Jersey
Byron Leftwich Jersey
Casey Hampton Jersey
Chris Kemoeatu Jersey
Evander Hood Jersey
Franco Harris Jersey
Heath Miller Jersey
Hines Ward Jersey
Ike Taylor Jersey
Jack Lambert Jersey
James Farrior Jersey
James Harrison Jersey
Jeff Reed Jersey
Jerome Bettis Jersey
Joe Greene Jersey
Kevin Greene Jersey
LaMarr Woodley Jersey
Lawrence Timmons Jersey
Limas Sweed Jersey
Lynn Swann Jersey
Maurkice Pouncey Jersey
Mel Blount Jersey
Mike Wallace Jersey
Mike Webster Jersey
President Obama Jersey
Rashard Mendenhall Jersey
Rocky Bleier Jersey
Rod Woodson Jersey
Ryan Clark Jersey
Santonio Holmes Jersey
Terry Bradshaw Jersey
Troy Polamalu Jersey
Willie Parker Jersey
Post new comment