You know the slogan, you’ve probably seen the brand of clothing and accessories, but it’s a great thing when you can say with conviction that “Life IS Good”.
I am awakened at 5:30 a.m., groggy after only 3 hours sleep (thanks to an afternoon Dutch Brothers freeze) to a FULL and BRIGHT moon shining through my bedroom door. Despite my inclination to ignore it, it’s brilliance calls my name and I jump to my feet to get my camera. Indeed, I have a hard time ignoring a photo opportunity.
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| It wasn't really THIS orange but it went behind that cloud you see at the bottom before I had a chance to get my settings right! Moon photography...tricky! |
I head out to the Special Olympics East Valley Golf tournament at Tempe Rolling Hills and spend a few hours with some of the happiest golfers in the world. Every picture I take reminds me that indeed “life is good” in the faces of all the people in our lives who make it that way. In a world where all news seems like bad news, I don’t have to look far to see that we are surrounded by “goodness” and for that I am so thankful!
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| Tempe Rolling Hills (scalped for overseeding). What a pretty view! |
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| Without Mark Special Olympics for Ryan would be near impossible. He helps to get him to practices, he coaches baseball, he raises money for MASD with his annual M & M Duck and Run Golf Tournament every April, and he is his golf partner for Unified Golf. When he's not doing that, he is one of his biggest cheerleaders! |
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| Greg Leicht of Vistal Golf Club has brought Mesa, and Arizona's Special Olympics golf competition to the level it is today. Programs around the nation strive to create a program of his caliber! Together with his wife Carol, and the whole team at Vistal they are always striving to take it to the next level.... THEY are incredible! |
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| Mark trying to get out of the sand trap that Ryan was unable to get Mark out of (haha!) Just another role he plays (Mark that is) in Special Olympics...getting his team in the sand traps! |
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| their foursome |
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| Ryan struck up a conversation with a pretty volunteer...he's no fool! |
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| Viri was one of many volunteers from the LDS young women's group. Every Special Olympics event is an opportunity to thank the countless volunteers for their time, efforts, and help! |
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| Mark and Ryan medal silver for the day! |
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| He's got a smile on his face....hard to say what put it there today, but that silver medal around his neck may have had something to do with it...or the pretty girl he spent an hour conversing with :-) |
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| With Pete...Just one of "the cousins". How awesome is it that these busy young men not only volunteer to golf all season with Special Olympians in need of a Unified Golf Partner, but they spend the spring season volunteering as coaches for the Special Olympics baseball teams? Not only do we love these amazing guys but we are so grateful for their unconditional support! I must not fail to mention the awesome parents who raised these boys...my sister Karen and her husband Bryan. They too, are huge supporters in this journey! |
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| Not only do I have 3 nephews who coach and partner, but I have this awesome son-in-law who does the same. I adore him for many reasons, and this is one of them! Geoff makes our life a little easier each and every day! Here he is with his golf partner Ian. These guys are great role models for the athletes! |
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| And this adorable grandson of mine leaves me speechless most of the time! |
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| Geoff and Ian medaled silver. I was so amazed by the reflection in the window and how it looked like IT was the background that I think I focused on the glass instead of these handsome guys! |
Last night we attended the 19th Annual ADS/MASD Ability Ball, a fundraiser for the wonderful organization that provides the opportunity for Ryan to participate in Special Olympics. From the old days of it being held in the rec center of an RV park to the Tempe Mission Palms last night, a story unfolds of the dedication of a group of people who had a vision that “no one should sit on the sidelines”. The attendees around me are family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends, participants, staff, volunteers, and colleagues who all support that vision...out of the “goodness” in their hearts.
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| Tempe Mission Palms is a beautiful hotel and convention center in the heart of Sun Devil country! |
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| The best part of the night for him was the dancing! |
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| "did you get a picture of me twirling her mom?" I didn't have the heart to tell him my iPhone camera in dim light just couldn't cut it...it wouldn't have mattered to him anyway...as long as I saw his moves! |
Tina
"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt"~ Special Olympians Oath
P.S. I'm thinking it would be a great project (sort of like the 365 projects so common now) if I photographed one person each day who makes my life good. The biggest challenge would be picking just one, because if I look around I may well find myself surrounded by them. What do you say? Sounds fun! Who wants to join me?
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