It is true that the world is certainly changing and we are living in interesting times. Just look at Snow Days. This was a magical term when I was growing up, something whispered about by friends and spoken only in the depths of winter. The possibility that enough snow could fall like manna from heaven and provide our own winter oasis and respite from school was gripping.
Having been born in Iowa the cold is in your bones. Snow is a part of life and you come to being used to maneuvering in it. Sledding is typically an activity reserved for the weekends. You needed a solid ten inches to cancel school and it better come all at once or you are out of luck. Iowans are a hardened lot, made from a fabric that is not found in all states. Then, in second grade, I moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. This sleepy, small city is located in the boot-heel region of Southeast Missouri and snuggled up close to the imposing Mississippi River. It truly is a beautiful place and I enjoyed being raised there but God forbid the weatherman calls for snow. It's an all out riot. The supermarkets are devoid of all staples. The aisles for bread, milk, eggs, etc., are destroyed, literally all that is left is one tanned loaf of ciabatta that looks as if everyone has been squeezing it for freshness.
After that blizzardly half inch of snow arrives it's as if peoples brains fall out. Driving becomes a nightmare, with people smashing into each other all over. Chains are put on tires as they are deemed necessary for driving up what is normally a gentle hill. It's not as if the weather people are any better. Many of us like to act as if the weathermen are simply in it for the ratings, I'm not convinced this is the case. More likely is that they are weathermen and any chance to add an extra couple of facetime minutes on tv the better. What was once the proving ground for want to be anchors, the weatherman is now part of our societal fabric. At my office we spend more time discussing what Katie Horner (weather lady who keeps popping out kids) thinks is going down, than the report (I don't even know the anchors name) about last nights Amber Alert. I mean hell, traffic and weather are reported like five times in a thirty minute newscast.
Speaking of weathermen, my wife thinks she is also capable of filling this role. If any of you know anyone who has worked construction then you are aware that working outside classifies you as a meteorologist. The five years she spent looking in the sky why everyone else was working has managed to sow a seed in her brain that she can tell what the weather is going to do based on clouds. She also has a tendency to lose her mind before a snow storm. You see my wife is a teacher so a snow day is also an day off for her. It's not as if having, all federal holidays, Catholic holidays, two weeks for Christmas, over a week for Easter, and nearly two and a half months for summer are enough, she needs her snow days. When the talks starts of an impending snow my wife turns to the news but not just one broadcast, she needs the 4:30, 5:00, 6:00, 9:00, and 10:00 to get all the information she needs. If she could have the scroll on the bottom of school closing feed directly into her phone, she would. When the news finally comes down that school is canceled, she quickly puts to rest the worry of travel and bolts out the door to hang out with friends, leaving me to think up things to do with the kids now that they want to stay up late.
My work is no better. With the advance of online meetings, skype, instant messaging, and access to company networks virtually, this place becomes a ghost town. While I take it as a point of pride to drive in, and to be honest, I can't get much done with my kids harassing me, you would think the roads are impassable and everyone is stuck. Whatever that case, you can do sweet donuts in the parking lots on days like this and monster e-brake turns and have nothing to fear.
Maybe all this new technology and awareness, plus the 24hour news and weather has made us safer and more prepared causing less accidents and increased productivity. What hasn't changed in the sheer joy of looking out the window and seeing a thick blanket of snow coating everything and realizing you don't even have to hit snooze.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Don't Put That in Your Mouth
"Don't put that in your mouth."
"Get that out of your mouth."
"What's in your mouth."
These are all common statements and questions that all parents deal with during the first four of five years of their kids lives. As time goes on you can only hope that you spend less time questioning their oral habits, I mean come on I have girls and yes the view from the gutter is amazing.
On Friday night we got a lesson on what shouldn't be put in your mouth. As customary when my niece, Maple, is in town, she stayed with us that night. The girls were all very excited. Ruby had someone to boss around, Alice had someone to play with who wasn't Ruby, and Maple is just happy she is at our house with anyone to play with.
The first lesson of the night was dished out to Ruby. As previously mentioned, by me and from her teachers, Ruby likes to be the boss. The following conversation took place as they were playing.
"Maple, I'm going to be the teacher and the doctor." This is from Ruby.
"Ruby, I'm not playing with you. I never get to be the teacher or the doctor," said Maple.
"Fine, I'm going to play up here in my room by myself." SLAM!!!
"Alice, I'm sorry I was never nice to you before, You are fun to play with." From Maple to Alice our 2 year old.
"Hey guys, I'm up here in my room if anyone wants to come play or be the teacher." Ruby's futile attempt to reel them back in.
Kids conversations are the best.
Anyway, where was I, oh yes choking. Later in the evening around 10 o'clock, Emily and I are sitting on the couch watching tv. Ruby and Alice are both asleep but Maple is still awake. We let them stay up later on the weekends but Maple would stay up until midnight if you let her. She gets this from her parents who only see the sunrise if they haven't gone to bed yet. Well, a little after 10 we hear what sounds like puking. Our parental ears are attuned for this sound but it also sounds like hacking. My first thought is, which one is it, and am I going to have to change the sheets. As my wife runs upstairs, I saunter over to the sink to put my ice cream bowl away and Emily starts yelling.
"Maple is choking! Get up here!"
"I'm coming." Good lord woman, this isn't the first time.
As I get up to the bathroom, I notice right away this isn't like normal. For one, their is a lot of bright red blood coming out of her mouth and she is really hacking. My wife is in disarray. "What should we do, call 911 or take her to the hospital?" she yells.
"Call 911." I reply.
"Maple what did you swallow?" I ask.
"A butterfly hair clip." she says between hacks.
So I work with her to keep her calm, while Emily talks to the 911 operator. She relays to me all the important stuff, no drinking, no heimlich maneuver, no trying to get it out.
At this point Maple is calm, bloodied, but calm. She thinks it feels like something is in her throat but she can breath. The EMT's get to our house in three minutes (they are awesome) and come up to the bathroom. They ask her a few questions and talk with my wife and decide to take her down to Children's Mercy in case they have to remove it.
Maple is in good spirits and it's obvious to us by now that she has either swallowed it or it came back up and was flushed. To be safe she is hustled off to the ER. I stayed home with the kids but Emily told me that Maple did have the EMT's laughing by some of her questions and statements.
"That is the biggest police car I have ever seen." said Maple when looking at the ambulance.
"Are you guys doctors?" she asked the EMT's.
"Kind of like that but we are the people who take you to the doctor." said the EMT.
"My mom says doctors are quacks." from Maple, tremendous laughter ensues.
"Emily have you ever been in a police car?" that a weird question that my wife tries to deflect.
"There has been a police car at my house before," says Maple, "because my mom locked her keys in her car." whoa Maple, I had no idea where you were going with that one.
By the end of the night, Emily is back home, Maple's parents join her at the ER and Ruby and Alice sleep through all of it.
In the morning we explain to Ruby and Alice what happened but it is taking awhile to register. Ruby was convinced that Maple was just hiding somewhere, rather than actually being gone and Alice just wants a pancake and could care less about all of it.
What I hope is Maple, Ruby and Alice all learned a valuable lesson that small sharp objects have no place in their mouths. What I learned is kids are hazardous to their health.
"Get that out of your mouth."
"What's in your mouth."
These are all common statements and questions that all parents deal with during the first four of five years of their kids lives. As time goes on you can only hope that you spend less time questioning their oral habits, I mean come on I have girls and yes the view from the gutter is amazing.
On Friday night we got a lesson on what shouldn't be put in your mouth. As customary when my niece, Maple, is in town, she stayed with us that night. The girls were all very excited. Ruby had someone to boss around, Alice had someone to play with who wasn't Ruby, and Maple is just happy she is at our house with anyone to play with.
The first lesson of the night was dished out to Ruby. As previously mentioned, by me and from her teachers, Ruby likes to be the boss. The following conversation took place as they were playing.
"Maple, I'm going to be the teacher and the doctor." This is from Ruby.
"Ruby, I'm not playing with you. I never get to be the teacher or the doctor," said Maple.
"Fine, I'm going to play up here in my room by myself." SLAM!!!
"Alice, I'm sorry I was never nice to you before, You are fun to play with." From Maple to Alice our 2 year old.
"Hey guys, I'm up here in my room if anyone wants to come play or be the teacher." Ruby's futile attempt to reel them back in.
Kids conversations are the best.
Anyway, where was I, oh yes choking. Later in the evening around 10 o'clock, Emily and I are sitting on the couch watching tv. Ruby and Alice are both asleep but Maple is still awake. We let them stay up later on the weekends but Maple would stay up until midnight if you let her. She gets this from her parents who only see the sunrise if they haven't gone to bed yet. Well, a little after 10 we hear what sounds like puking. Our parental ears are attuned for this sound but it also sounds like hacking. My first thought is, which one is it, and am I going to have to change the sheets. As my wife runs upstairs, I saunter over to the sink to put my ice cream bowl away and Emily starts yelling.
"Maple is choking! Get up here!"
"I'm coming." Good lord woman, this isn't the first time.
As I get up to the bathroom, I notice right away this isn't like normal. For one, their is a lot of bright red blood coming out of her mouth and she is really hacking. My wife is in disarray. "What should we do, call 911 or take her to the hospital?" she yells.
"Call 911." I reply.
"Maple what did you swallow?" I ask.
"A butterfly hair clip." she says between hacks.
So I work with her to keep her calm, while Emily talks to the 911 operator. She relays to me all the important stuff, no drinking, no heimlich maneuver, no trying to get it out.
At this point Maple is calm, bloodied, but calm. She thinks it feels like something is in her throat but she can breath. The EMT's get to our house in three minutes (they are awesome) and come up to the bathroom. They ask her a few questions and talk with my wife and decide to take her down to Children's Mercy in case they have to remove it.
Maple is in good spirits and it's obvious to us by now that she has either swallowed it or it came back up and was flushed. To be safe she is hustled off to the ER. I stayed home with the kids but Emily told me that Maple did have the EMT's laughing by some of her questions and statements.
"That is the biggest police car I have ever seen." said Maple when looking at the ambulance.
"Are you guys doctors?" she asked the EMT's.
"Kind of like that but we are the people who take you to the doctor." said the EMT.
"My mom says doctors are quacks." from Maple, tremendous laughter ensues.
"Emily have you ever been in a police car?" that a weird question that my wife tries to deflect.
"There has been a police car at my house before," says Maple, "because my mom locked her keys in her car." whoa Maple, I had no idea where you were going with that one.
By the end of the night, Emily is back home, Maple's parents join her at the ER and Ruby and Alice sleep through all of it.
In the morning we explain to Ruby and Alice what happened but it is taking awhile to register. Ruby was convinced that Maple was just hiding somewhere, rather than actually being gone and Alice just wants a pancake and could care less about all of it.
What I hope is Maple, Ruby and Alice all learned a valuable lesson that small sharp objects have no place in their mouths. What I learned is kids are hazardous to their health.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
My Resolution - Take Action
Part One of Taking Action - Cutting my hair.
Part Two - Growing a sweet beard - pics coming in about a year.
Part Two - Growing a sweet beard - pics coming in about a year.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Santa is Always Right
Christmas is a pretty cool time around my house the past few years. With two little kids and a little stability, we are providing the context for them to have a great holiday. Santa is also a big motivating factor at our house for about a month each year and it will be sad when that behavioral tool goes away. You all know what I mean. It provides a great series of "if, then" situations you can leverage to your advantage. Mostly leading to not getting any toys if you don't do something.
"If you don't go get in bed, then Santa won't bring you any toys."
"If you don't eat your green beans, then Santa won't bring you any toys."
"If you don't stop pinching your sister, then..."
What amazes me is the power of Santa. If you replace Santa with me, for instance, the threat goes largely on deaf ears. I attempt to strike the fear of me into them every once in awhile but as my wife would say, I'm typically a softy and bend to their wishes. (so sue me, they are my girls)
The power of Santa to be all knowing is dumbfounding to me as well. Ruby, is a shoe afficianado, much like her mother and father, and in an effort to keep her in some seriously fast kicks, her and I had been shoe shopping for the past few weeks. WEEKS! I had taken her to countless stores to find the exact shoes she wanted that were:
1. Faster than any other kids in her class shoes.
2. Looked black and had both three stripes and a swoosh. (somehow she thought their was a magical hybrid brand of Adidas and Nike somewhere in existence. In actuality she knew that Daddy wears both to run and so does Mom and she wants to please us both I guess.)
3. Have laces and no Velcro. She recently learned how to tie her shoes and according to her infinite wisdom, is way too old for Velcro.
You see my dilemma. I was unaware of this mythical shoe but on Christmas Eve Day I made a run to Dillards in Zona Rosa in Kansas City. My prayers were answered. This place has tons of kids shoes. They are a bit pricier than other department stores but at this point it didn't matter. I found what I thought was the perfect pair, sort of white and purple with laces, and a swoosh. As I bantered with the sales associate at check out I turned around to just admire this store, it really is a nice place, brand new and very shiny, and was struck by a vision of the perfect shoe. "Don't ring me up yet. Do you have those in a nine?" I questioned.
"I take it she is a bit of a Tom Boy?" asked the assistant.
"Sort of." I replied.
While she loves throwing people (Judo), soccer, climbing trees, she also loves dress up, makeup, and other "girl" things. I would say she is like most other little girls or boys for that matter and her ideal shoe does not necessarily label her.
On a side note, her last pair of running shoes, were "boys" shoes as well, which we didn't actually know until we went to soccer practice and a boy on the other team was wearing the same shoes. In regards to these shoes, they are yellow and black , so they can be Tigers or Hawkeyes, so that's a bonus, they tie, and they have the name Flash in the title. Pretty much a slam dunk by Dad here.
I rush home and wrap them up (using the Santa wrapping paper) and put them in the hiding spot until they wenr to bed. In the morning as the carnage of boxes and paper littered the floor she opened her shoes from Santa. Her first comment, "See Dad, Santa knew exactly the shoes I wanted."
Of course he did.
"If you don't go get in bed, then Santa won't bring you any toys."
"If you don't eat your green beans, then Santa won't bring you any toys."
"If you don't stop pinching your sister, then..."
What amazes me is the power of Santa. If you replace Santa with me, for instance, the threat goes largely on deaf ears. I attempt to strike the fear of me into them every once in awhile but as my wife would say, I'm typically a softy and bend to their wishes. (so sue me, they are my girls)
The power of Santa to be all knowing is dumbfounding to me as well. Ruby, is a shoe afficianado, much like her mother and father, and in an effort to keep her in some seriously fast kicks, her and I had been shoe shopping for the past few weeks. WEEKS! I had taken her to countless stores to find the exact shoes she wanted that were:
1. Faster than any other kids in her class shoes.
2. Looked black and had both three stripes and a swoosh. (somehow she thought their was a magical hybrid brand of Adidas and Nike somewhere in existence. In actuality she knew that Daddy wears both to run and so does Mom and she wants to please us both I guess.)
3. Have laces and no Velcro. She recently learned how to tie her shoes and according to her infinite wisdom, is way too old for Velcro.
You see my dilemma. I was unaware of this mythical shoe but on Christmas Eve Day I made a run to Dillards in Zona Rosa in Kansas City. My prayers were answered. This place has tons of kids shoes. They are a bit pricier than other department stores but at this point it didn't matter. I found what I thought was the perfect pair, sort of white and purple with laces, and a swoosh. As I bantered with the sales associate at check out I turned around to just admire this store, it really is a nice place, brand new and very shiny, and was struck by a vision of the perfect shoe. "Don't ring me up yet. Do you have those in a nine?" I questioned.
"I take it she is a bit of a Tom Boy?" asked the assistant.
"Sort of." I replied.
While she loves throwing people (Judo), soccer, climbing trees, she also loves dress up, makeup, and other "girl" things. I would say she is like most other little girls or boys for that matter and her ideal shoe does not necessarily label her.
On a side note, her last pair of running shoes, were "boys" shoes as well, which we didn't actually know until we went to soccer practice and a boy on the other team was wearing the same shoes. In regards to these shoes, they are yellow and black , so they can be Tigers or Hawkeyes, so that's a bonus, they tie, and they have the name Flash in the title. Pretty much a slam dunk by Dad here.
I rush home and wrap them up (using the Santa wrapping paper) and put them in the hiding spot until they wenr to bed. In the morning as the carnage of boxes and paper littered the floor she opened her shoes from Santa. Her first comment, "See Dad, Santa knew exactly the shoes I wanted."
Of course he did.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Learning Something New
It amazes me how we can learn new things about ourselves when we least expect it. This has been happening to me every Tuesday for the past month and a half. In an agreement stuck between my beautiful wife Emily and myself, Ruby is now learning the basics of Judo. Long story short, I have been pushing for Ruby to wrestle ever since she was born. My justification was always that it is an Olympic sport for women, some Universities give scholarships for it, and the pool of female athletes in this sport is thin, thus improving her chances for both of these things. Also, I was a wrestler for years and coached and it is an addiction that gets in your blood and becomes something you want to share.
My wife on the other hand sees it just as weird for girls to do. She thinks I'm dumb, the idea is dumb, and Ruby will only wrestle when hell freezes over. That is pretty hard for me to argue with but believe me I have been. I also catch flax from my mother-in-law (imagine that) who likes to tell me that Ruby is not a boy. As you can tell, the influencers on this debate are certainly lined up against me. What I'm trying to do is find something that focuses on paying attention to details, slowing down and doing things right, respect, and all the while emphasizing personal discipline. Attractive qualities to instill in a child and the earlier the better I might add.
After surveying my options, and consulting my wife (this is a good idea) we decided to give Judo a try. Luckily for me, the instructor is Kenny Brink and his club is called Brink's Welcome Mat Judo. Welcome Mat Judo is an organization familiar to most in the Judo family, especially in Kansas City. Kenny has three boys and one of them I was lucky enough to help coach in wrestling so we have some ties. He was also a National Champion in Judo and has the credentials that any newcomer should look for in finding a good club.
It took me two practices to be comfortable not wanting to be in charge. That is a personality trait I have had forever, wanting to run the show, and I realized I have no business doing such a thing. I still harp on her to pay attention and get up off the mat, but I don't have to say much anymore. She bows to center when she gets on the mat, bows to center before she gets off the mat. She bows to her partner before each drill and shakes hands after every drill. She thanks her instructors after every practice and is working hard to get better, not because I tell her to but because she wants to.
When I stopped pushing so hard she has started to thrive. It's pretty neat, she is learning Japanese, because all the moves are in Japanese, her flexibility is improving, and she is learning a little self defense which, you never know, could come in handy some day.
I must confess, there is a secret plan to all of this. Judo is also an Olympic sport so my dream of Ruby being an Olympic Champion is alive and well. Also, one of the top Greco-Roman female wrestlers for the United States practiced Judo her whole life before she took up wrestling in her twenties. To quote dumb and dumber, "so you are telling me there's a chance." I can hope.
My wife on the other hand sees it just as weird for girls to do. She thinks I'm dumb, the idea is dumb, and Ruby will only wrestle when hell freezes over. That is pretty hard for me to argue with but believe me I have been. I also catch flax from my mother-in-law (imagine that) who likes to tell me that Ruby is not a boy. As you can tell, the influencers on this debate are certainly lined up against me. What I'm trying to do is find something that focuses on paying attention to details, slowing down and doing things right, respect, and all the while emphasizing personal discipline. Attractive qualities to instill in a child and the earlier the better I might add.
After surveying my options, and consulting my wife (this is a good idea) we decided to give Judo a try. Luckily for me, the instructor is Kenny Brink and his club is called Brink's Welcome Mat Judo. Welcome Mat Judo is an organization familiar to most in the Judo family, especially in Kansas City. Kenny has three boys and one of them I was lucky enough to help coach in wrestling so we have some ties. He was also a National Champion in Judo and has the credentials that any newcomer should look for in finding a good club.
It took me two practices to be comfortable not wanting to be in charge. That is a personality trait I have had forever, wanting to run the show, and I realized I have no business doing such a thing. I still harp on her to pay attention and get up off the mat, but I don't have to say much anymore. She bows to center when she gets on the mat, bows to center before she gets off the mat. She bows to her partner before each drill and shakes hands after every drill. She thanks her instructors after every practice and is working hard to get better, not because I tell her to but because she wants to.
When I stopped pushing so hard she has started to thrive. It's pretty neat, she is learning Japanese, because all the moves are in Japanese, her flexibility is improving, and she is learning a little self defense which, you never know, could come in handy some day.
I must confess, there is a secret plan to all of this. Judo is also an Olympic sport so my dream of Ruby being an Olympic Champion is alive and well. Also, one of the top Greco-Roman female wrestlers for the United States practiced Judo her whole life before she took up wrestling in her twenties. To quote dumb and dumber, "so you are telling me there's a chance." I can hope.
Friday, December 10, 2010
FAQ for my next Trail Run.
I am a member of a group called the Kansas City Trail Nerds. Basically, a bunch of nature loving, granola eaters who do trail maintenance and run races in the woods. Some of my favorite things. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share the questions people ask before we do on a PRACTICE run, this isn't even a race.
Alt Chili Run FAQ:
How much is the run? $5, which the Trail Nerds will donate to ERTA, a trail-building organization.
Why aren't there bib numbers? Because it's a fun run not a race.
Where does this start? In parking lot.
Is it timed? No
How will I know where I'm going? There will be some markings at any intersection where you have to make a choice. We have pace leaders - Scott, Travis, Matty and Brian ,John King and Beth Hilt will course sweep to keep you headed in the correct direction. Michael Ruder also knows the course . If you get lost you can
always dip out of the woods and get on the road which will have markings for the Chili Run which starts at 9am.
Where are the bathrooms? Down the steps in the James P. Davis Center
The bathrooms aren't open-- what should I do? Here is a baby wipe-- check out the woods.
Will there be water stations? No
Will non trail shoes work on this course. Sure, but you should join the Trail nerds and get a 20% discount on trail shoes at GGRS.
Will I slip? The weather isn't set to get nasty until Sunday, but after that we "screw" our shoes. But there will not be a screwing station for this run, this year.
What is the course like? It is the same loop as the Winter Psycho/Toto race and consists of quite a
bit of bridle trails. You'll have to head down some pretty steep treacherous stuff, but that's part of the fun. The Trail Nerds support ERTA, an organization that builds sustainable single track and hope that in the future we'll have better trails!
Is there an Aid station? No we've never had one and no one dehydrated. Make sure you bring water or run with a friend who has a hydration device.
Where is the Chili? In the James P Davis center. Pay $5 and enjoy. Sophia ate 4 bowls one year.
One for each mile (she had a tough year, but met Bad Ben and fell in love
with him !)
Proud to be a Trail Nerd.
Alt Chili Run FAQ:
How much is the run? $5, which the Trail Nerds will donate to ERTA, a trail-building organization.
Why aren't there bib numbers? Because it's a fun run not a race.
Where does this start? In parking lot.
Is it timed? No
How will I know where I'm going? There will be some markings at any intersection where you have to make a choice. We have pace leaders - Scott, Travis, Matty and Brian ,John King and Beth Hilt will course sweep to keep you headed in the correct direction. Michael Ruder also knows the course . If you get lost you can
always dip out of the woods and get on the road which will have markings for the Chili Run which starts at 9am.
Where are the bathrooms? Down the steps in the James P. Davis Center
The bathrooms aren't open-- what should I do? Here is a baby wipe-- check out the woods.
Will there be water stations? No
Will non trail shoes work on this course. Sure, but you should join the Trail nerds and get a 20% discount on trail shoes at GGRS.
Will I slip? The weather isn't set to get nasty until Sunday, but after that we "screw" our shoes. But there will not be a screwing station for this run, this year.
What is the course like? It is the same loop as the Winter Psycho/Toto race and consists of quite a
bit of bridle trails. You'll have to head down some pretty steep treacherous stuff, but that's part of the fun. The Trail Nerds support ERTA, an organization that builds sustainable single track and hope that in the future we'll have better trails!
Is there an Aid station? No we've never had one and no one dehydrated. Make sure you bring water or run with a friend who has a hydration device.
Where is the Chili? In the James P Davis center. Pay $5 and enjoy. Sophia ate 4 bowls one year.
One for each mile (she had a tough year, but met Bad Ben and fell in love
with him !)
Proud to be a Trail Nerd.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time To Do Some Good
Tis the season for outreach to our less fortunate and also a time to be thankful for all the blessings we do have. I currently sit on the board of the Northland Sports Alliance here in Kansas City, Missouri. We offer a plethora of recreational and competitive team sports for the youth in our area. We offer a scholarship program for parents to enroll their children even in hard economic times. This program is built on donations from you. Please read below and donate if you can.
Yes it's that time of year again, time to be pandered to for your generosity. The time of year where we set our expectations high because we know you will help us reach them. Last year we set a goal for our scholarship fund to hit $5,000 and we made it with your help. The group was small but mighty. This year we would love to have more participation. If every person that receives this made a small contribution, we would hit that $5,000 mark in no time. Last year we were able to sponsor over 70 kids. Kids that would not normally have the opportunity to play. I can't tell you about all 70, but I can share a story about one family.
This one family in particular has three kids. These kids are very active in sports, playing something all the time. They are a typical family in our program. Parents love the kids, kids love the parents, they may even have a dog - they could be any one of us. However, this year they were hit hard and they had to make choices. Those choices included some tough decisions. The mom called us on the last day to register and as we were doing her registration we asked her which child she was registering first (because we knew all three played.) She started to cry and said she only had enough money to register one of her kids. They all wanted to play but she couldn't afford it so she was letting the oldest one play and was hoping things would be better by the next season. The two younger ones were disappointed but she said they would be okay, she was hopeful things would all work out. First, we couldn't imagine the heartbreak for this mother to tell the two younger ones they didn't get to play this season. Second, we couldn't let this happen - do you know why? Because we have you! I wish all of you could've been with us when we told this mother that we had funds available for situations just like this. I helped her get all three registered and I told her things would turn around. Some day, maybe even today, she could pay it forward and help out another family when they might be in the same situation. Those tears were suddenly tears of joy (both mine and hers). We don't "advertise" our scholarship fund regularly so a lot of people who have never needed it, don't really know about it. Well, I am here to tell you it exists and it gets used.
I wish I could tell you about each one of our families. Some have gone through divorce, others a job loss, or a medical crisis. I know things will turn around for a lot of them. We have very few families that continue year after year on our scholarship program which tells me things will get better for some while others learn about our scholarship fund for the first time. The key is to let these kids continue to play. Unfortunately, we can't do that without your help.
Think about how you can make a difference in a child's life. Imagine if that family above wasn't able to let all three kids play. Can you imagine the reminder every week when the two younger ones went to watch the older one play - disappointment for both the kids but also the parents. Imagine a child going through a divorce - their soccer team may be their only outlet with their friends on it - that could be what gets them through a difficult situation. Imagine a child with a mom or dad that has cancer, I can't even begin to tell you how important those friendships are. Some of our teams have been together through all of these situations. Those parents rally around those kids and continue to tell them everything will be okay. I know these families appreciate the help.
Please consider helping out. It's easy. Just click here https://www.spcaa.com/
With your help we will be able to continue our scholarship program. I am proud to say we have never turned down a child because of their inability to pay. I give you my word, we never will.
Sincerely,
Stephanie A. Schieber
Director
Northland Sports Alliance
8341 NW Mace Road
Kansas City, MO 64152
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