Superman

Who didn't like Superman as a kid? I mean Christopher Reeves was phenomenal as the movie version of Superman and let's face it, also as a human being. 

I remember being in awe of Superman (although Spiderman was my favorite - go figure - I hate spiders).  I also wanted to be Wonder Woman, but that's a post for another time.

As we get older, we often see the vision of Superman in a different light. I know I sure do.

One of my all-time favorite bands is Train and I love the lyrics to one of their songs:

Hey baby, I don't want to be your Superman.
I just want to be your man and I'll be super, baby
You'll be standin' in the sun shine
I'll be standin' right here in the rain
You save me and I will save the day

Superman is a type of hero, right? Well, how about an every day true-to-life hero?  Not a comic book character or one on the big screen. But a real live person. That's what I'm talking about and evidently, I'm not the only one who thinks this way.

For those of you who are addicted to American Idol, you may remember this guy.  (Remember an addiction isn't necessarily a good thing....I can say that because I'm one of the addicted fools.) Jimmy Charles made it to Hollywood on Season 9 of American Idol and is a soulful, genuine and passion-filled country singer/songwriter from Maryland who now lives in Tennessee. He has received radio play for four of his songs, including “Whatever It Takes” that played nationally on Clear Channel Country radio. In 2007, he made the Top 50 on "Nashville Star” (which I still think was a better show than American Idol!), he was a guest judge for “Nashville’s Next Big Star” 2011, and has opened side stage for Montgomery Gentry and Lady Antebellum concerts.

Jimmy has also performed and supported many benefits and charity events naming cancer and children as two of his top priorities.  After connecting with a prostate cancer patient at Chesapeake VA Urology (one of ZERO's Run/Walk partners) and learning about the struggles that men and families face when fighting cancer, he was inspired to write the song for ZERO which he performed at last year's Run/Walk in Baltimore. During the time he was recording the song, Jimmy unexpectedly lost his own father and found comfort and healing in being able to help others face cancer through the gift of his music.

The song that he wrote in hopes of strengthening and inspiring those who are battling cancer is appropriately titled, "Superman". I am excited to say that he will be performing "Superman" at the June 21 Run/Walk in Arlington in which Denny's Shotgun Riders will be participating!

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do

Swallow my pride, face the truth

Go through hell, feel the fear

Praise the Lord that I'm still here

And I still got more miles here on this road

And now I'm here to help you all to understand....

that you can't fight this battle on your own.

You ain't Superman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyB9gUsUWqQ&feature=youtu.be

 

Thank you, Jimmy Charles, for writing this song and I cannot wait to hear you perform it live on Father's Day!

My dad is my hero.

As his only child and his baby girl, he's always been my Superman and he still is.

But even Superman has bad days and gets frustrated and feels defeated.

Even Superman needs support.

Even Superman needs love.

Even Superman needs to know that he's not fighting this battle alone.

 

Hey, Superman!

No need to worry.

Your baby girl has got you!

 

 

 

 

For more info on Jimmy, click here for his website.
http://www.jimmycharlesmusic.com/

Remember, there's still plenty of time to join Denny's Shotgun Riders and/or make a donation in honor of my dad to show your support for all men battling this wretched disease. Just click here:
 http://www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1127720&lis=1&kntae1127720=B54E2502CC1A4CD690A0CE3407E37ECB&supId=417434731&_ga=1.151509433.1836921384.1431616451



Chemo #5 - Strong Enough

Cancer sucks. This is nothing new. But sometimes I just have to say it.

Has my dad not suffered enough over the last 19 years that it has to come back again and this time the worst way ever? Did Dad not pay his dues as a kid being sent to Vietnam seeing people being killed right in front of him while praying for his own life to be saved every day?

This time last year we were getting ready to go to the beach house and enjoy the front porch, with a bottle of wine, incredible food, good music and good friends.  This year, Dad is recovering from yesterday's fifth chemo treatment and is on his way to that same beach house with my mom for a change of scenery because they really "need" to get away. I still can't believe how things dramatically changed so quickly.

Dad is fortunate and he knows it but that doesn't make this battle any easier. He's still fighting and he's still feeling absolutely wretched from exhaustion and fatigue because of the chemo. I keep reminding him that it could be so much worse. He could still be in excruciating pain. He could be nauseated and vomiting. No matter what I say and no matter how much he agrees, it is still something he has to deal with and go through. The five-year old little girl in me wants to throw her hands up in the air and scream, "It's just not fair!"

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes another person's misfortune for us to realize how fortunate we are.  After yesterday's chemo, Dad told me that he felt blessed.  The lady receiving chemo in the room with him has been given six months to live. Chemo is her last chance and she's probably been told it's a long shot but she's trying anyway. As much as we hate chemo, we're thankful for it. It's a double-edged sword. It destroys the cancer cells but it also destroys the healthy cells. It makes you feel absolutely miserable. But, at least chemo is an option for Dad. At least chemo is working for Dad.

So, we will live to fight another day.
Dad will keep fighting.
I will keep encouraging.
Mom will keep supporting.
It's all we can do.

When we're not strong enough (and believe me, there are days when even we, the strong ones, are not strong enough), then we humbly drop to our knees, raise our heads to the sky and ask for help.

It's all we can do.
 

 

Strong Enough - Matthew West

 

You must

You must think I'm strong

To give me what I'm going through

 

Well, forgive me

Forgive me if I'm wrong

But this looks like more than I can do

On my own

 

I know I'm not strong enough to be

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough, for the both of us

 

Well, maybe

Maybe that's the point

To reach the point of giving up

'Cause when I'm finally

Finally at rock bottom

Well, that's when I start looking up and reaching out

 

I know I'm not strong enough to be

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

 

'Cause I'm broken

Down to nothing

But I'm still holding on to the one thing

You are God and

You are strong when

I am weak

 

I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength

And I don't have to be

I don't have to be strong enough

Strong enough

 

Fundraiser - one and done!

 

One week ago today, on Thursday, April 30, the Denny's Shotgun Riders fundraiser was held at Winestyles of Montclair and was a huge success!  (It has taken me a week to recover and I'm still on the mend.)

 

 

 Since mid-January, I had worked tirelessly to pull this event off - from begging businesses and individuals for donations..... to creating marketing flyers and inundating people with multiple copies.....to typing up silent auction item sheets and raffle bag labels..... to chasing people down for their donated items when the deadline was approaching.... to analyzing every detail of the setup and then changing it..... to hoping and praying that this would all culminate in not only a monetary success but a fun event for all who attended

 

 

While there are so many people to thank, I first need to thank my core crew - my parents, Maurine and Jason. Without them putting up with my constant frantic texts and conversations during states of angst and impatience, I don't know what I would have done. Without Maurine's invaluable basket packaging skills, I don't know how half of the items would have been prepared (or at least looked presentable and bid worthy!) Without Mom and Dad creating all of the raffle bags, I would not have had enough time to handle other important preparatory tasks. Without Jason securing donations and talking me off the ledge at any given moment, I would have pulled the plug on the event a month or so ago. While I appreciate all of the kudos received, these four individuals are the only ones who truly were by my side from start to finish and know the tireless dedication, commitment and blood, sweat and tears that I put into this fundraiser.

 

 

 

With that being said, I would do it all over again for one reason and one reason only......

 

My dad.

 

Leading up to the event, I wasn't sure he was going to feel well enough to attend. While I didn't depend on him being there, I hoped with all of my heart that he would be there.  A few hours before the event, I held my breath and asked, fearful of what the answer would be...... He was coming!

 

Thanks to my incredible cousins Dave and Karen, who came up from North Carolina just for the event, I had an extra set of hands to set up/help out the entire night and Dad had personal chauffeur!

 

 

While this night went off without a hitch and I had an amazing total of 72 people attend, it wouldn't have been the same without Dad. Having him there made it all worth it to me. I know he wasn't feeling well but as always he was a trooper. I also know that while he physically may not have felt his best, seeing and knowing a room full of people were there to support him made his heart and soul feel more than healthy.

From spending time with old friends....
 

 

 

to making new ones....

 

 

 .... to reuniting the best ones....

 

 

 

.... to seeing transformations......

 

 

.....to uniting "happy place" family with blood family....

 

....to networking my ZERO and Nandos friends.....

....to soul sisters.

 

As I mentioned during my welcome and encouragement speech at the fundraiser....

 

That night was about bringing awareness to prostate cancer and to honor of all the men who have been affected, who are battling this disease, who are survivors (like my dad), who have unfortunately, lost their lives to this disease, and also those who are about to be diagnosed and don’t know it yet. 

 

That night was about raising money for a cure.

 

That night was about about one number – zero.

 

That night was about doing what we can to put an end to prostate cancer. 

 

Selfishly, for me, that night was also about my Dad – who is a five-time prostate cancer survivor.

 

That night was about showing him we love and support him.

 

That night was also about letting my Dad know he never has to fight alone..... because everyone there was standing right by his side – riding shotgun with him.

 

Thank you to everyone who came to the Denny's Shotgun Riders fundraiser!! It wouldn't have been a success without you! Most importantly, your support for my dad meant more to my parents and me than I could ever express!

 

While the fundraiser is over, it's not too late to donate!

 I told you, I'm not stopping!!

Plus, I remember many of you who said, since you couldn't make it to the fundraiser, you would definitely make a donation.

Now's the time!!

 

The ZERO race/walk that Denny's Shotgun riders will be participating in is on June 21. Ninety-eight cents of every dollar that you donate to ZERO goes to programs and activities! T

he money you donate through me to ZERO truly DOES make a difference!

 

Please click the link below to make a donation.

 

http://www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1127720&lis=1&kntae1127720=BAE87AA220064235A12BEB74E57C7BEE&supId=417434731&_ga=1.245630212.1883341955.1430852472