Episode 3: Why We Do What We Do

Today is my mother’s birthday. For those of you who do not know, Dawn passed away from cancer almost ten years ago, when I was just about to enter high school.  If one were to describe her, they would use words such as: ferocious, caring, positive, joyful, and much more.  As an Occupational Therapist, she utilized special equipment to assist disabled children to perform tasks dealing with fine motor skills so they can lead healthy lives.  She was self-employed and would travel to all the local elementary schools to work with kids each week.  Distinctly, I recall sticking my head into her confined room at Muldown Elementary on Wednesdays to steal a hug.  Boy would that be nice on this particular Wednesday.  She thrived off providing a better life for the less fortunate.  Part of where I got my passion for serving young athletes derives from her profession.  Not in the sense that the athletes I deal with are unfortunate, rather I believe everyone should be given the tools to succeed. That’s where I step in and provide the comprehensive training program that is BladesAPA.

The entrepreneurship she displayed influences me to this day.  She started “All About Kids” (under my title suggestion) which was a combined Physical/Occupational Therapy clinic specifically for children.  In her free time, she also created her own jewelry company with proceeds going to assist cancer research.  A mindset of proactivity and relentless pursuit of betterment is something she passed to me.  Do you think I planned to transfer to four different schools in the eventual achievement of playing college baseball?  No.  But that path led to complete satisfaction knowing I did everything within my power to accomplish what I set out to do.

In all honesty, BladesAPA began out of frustration.  Time constraints made it impossible for me to train two young men who deserved and wanted to improve.  Frantically, I looked and eventually discovered a way to provide the best training available on their schedule at a minute price.  Shutting down their aspirations and explaining how they were just out of luck was not an option I was willing to consider.  Tired of seeing ineffective training methods being pounded into the brains of kids, I chose to do something about it.  I have been espoused to the people who I can provide assistance to and that is in my genetic makeup.

Dawn initially had breast cancer that she fought, and won for twelve years.  My little brother, Logan, did not know her without this disease.  That could contribute to his heartening perspective on life.  To her, life was a balance.  There were times to work, times to relax, times to play, times to cry.  I take it upon myself to emulate these ideals invariably.  The one eventuality that everyone must make time for is facing death.

I drastically underestimated the impact she had on the community.  This was only made evident to me at her funeral service.  In a rather large church, every seat was taken, the isles were packed, and people were crammed next to the rear door.  How can this be?  What did she posses that drew such attention from people, so many of whom I had never met before?   Part of it may have been her persistence to live a full life, which people wanted to emulate. Some of it was direct genuine influence to many of those people in the church on that day.  Much of it was due to the goodness in her heart that was felt whenever someone interacted with my mom.

If you have made it this far in reading my article, I thank you for giving me your time. It is my hope you take something from this passage.  The token could be to follow passions with all your might, go out and make life happen, or simply tell your mom you love her today.