My 7th Birthday Comes With Heartbreaking News

Written on 6-27-18.

     It’s my other birthday tomorrow, and I will be seven years old this time.  I’m 51 now, so that means I was 44 when I had my brain surgery?!  That’s nuts.  Time sure is a funny thing.

     This birthday is highlighted (or “lowlighted?”) depending on how you look at it due to the sudden death of our dear friends’ son, Reilly, just two days ago.  Bruce and Diane  have now lost their second child due to Cystic Fibrosis, and we are all in denial, shock, and mourning.  It’s another lesson that we should continue to take nothing for granted and enjoy every moment with the people we care about most.

     That’s what I’ll continue to do.  I recently wrote a post on my golf blog about the little and big moments in our lives.  Big moments like weddings and childbirth are incredible, of course, and I wouldn’t trade them, but it’s the little moments that I remember with a different fondness.  I still remember sitting in my ‘79 Buick Estate Wagon on Main Street in Durango with Belinda one evening when we were in college and becoming best friends.  We listened to the radio, talked about nothing and everything, and enjoyed each other’s company, and I realize now that I was falling in love with my new best friend in that little moment. 

     Looking back seven years ago, I remember little recovery moments.  These all took place after the surgery, and they all marked the beginning of my comeback.  I could...

I'm Always Open to See the San Juan Open

Written on 6-24-18.

     I’m back home after just watching the end of the San Juan Open.  Yesterday, I watched by walking backward from #18 to #13 and then following a group from #10 to #13, but today I camped out at #18 to watch the final five groups finish their rounds.  Yesterday, I wanted to see Calum Hill, last year’s champion, but I followed some other group by mistake instead.  After I got to #13 yesterday, I walked back to #10 hoping to catch Calum’s group making the turn.  I asked a lady with a clipboard if she knew where his group was, and she told me they had just teed off on #10, so I took off after them.  Then I saw some guy helping out on the fairway on #10, and it turned out to be Mike Goen.  When I asked him who Calum was, he pointed out one of the players on the green.  That turned out to be someone else, though.  Not sure who that guy was, but he was a great player, and I shook his hand today and told him he played well.  He was very appreciative and thanked me for coming out to show my support.  

     I just looked at the names of the pro’s from the San Juan Open site, and I randomly chose to google Nick Mason.  It was just a guess, but it ended up being the guy...

Happy Father's Day to Me

Written on 6-16-18.

     Danielle surprised me by coming home last night for Father’s Day weekend.  I was so overjoyed to see her, because it was a big sacrifice for her to drive home after a long, exhausting week at work.  She plans to head home again at around 1:00 today, so it’s a quick visit, but I’ll take it.  I feel very fortunate to have her here at all.  Thank you, Danielle!  It means a lot, because I thought I might not get to see either of my children this weekend.  I love you, sweet daughter of mine!

     In some incredibly sad news, Reilly is in the hospital in Las Vegas, and it’s just been one horrible report after another.  He flew there to participate in a Magic tournament, but he’s now in ICU instead.  The last report sounded devastating to me.  I feel I may be getting a phone call from C.J. soon, and it won’t be good news.  Sigh.

On to golf…

     I am watching the U.S. Open with my Chromecast.  Belinda is making Fettuccine for lunch in celebration of Father’s Day.  Danielle is taking her shower.  It rained this morning, and it was glorious.  We’ve needed rain, and I am hoping it helps with the 416 and the Burro Fires.  Our lawn needs it.  Our golf course needs it.  Thank you, rain, for coming.  You are always welcome.

     I played alone yesterday after Belinda came and helped a second time with the Special Olympics group.  C.J. had an appointment, and Bruce texted me to let me know he couldn’t play.  So, I took off by myself.  

     I had high hopes.  I played pretty well on Wednesday when all three of us played the new “Battle for the Box” game again.  This time, C.J. and I reversed roles.  He was struggling to get back into the game, and I was the one who ended up taking Bruce to the limit.  It’s very hard if...

The 3-Pointer Story, A Fun and Fond Memory

Written on 6-11-18.

     Let’s write about that 3-pointer story now.  It’s been on my Writing To Do List for years.  I had a dream just this morning where Marcy Jung asked me to announce for a volleyball match again.  I did that a few times when I was at Fort Lewis.  It was fantastic, because I was a big fan of the team, I was learning about and getting better at playing volleyball, and I had an immense crush on #8, too.

     Belinda (#8) and I have had many dreams similar to that about that time in our lives, recurring dreams about trying out for the team and having practices.  Why?  What is it about that time?  It’s emotional and formational, for sure.  During that period, I had what was a highlight and a lowlight, the 3-pointer.

     This is how I remember it.  It was my sophomore year, and we were near the end of our season.  Because of our winning record, we had the best seed and Colorado School of Mines had the worst, so we got to play them at home in the first round of the RMAC tournament.  My high school friend and incredibly talented basketball player, Andy Visnyei, or Vish for short, played for them and played a lot.  

I, however, did not play a lot.  I was in the top ten, so I traveled with the team, but I only got in...