This last week on ESPN it was Jimmy V week. For those of you that don't know who Jimmy V is, his name is actually Jim Valvano. He is a basketball coach that died of cancer...but to end his story there doesn't do him and his legacy any justice. He is most notably known for two moments in sports history; 1) he took a 6 seeded NC State basketball team that wasn't supposed to do anything to win a national championship over top seeded Houston at the buzzer. *Important side note* This happened in the greatest college basketball arena in the country...THE PIT. His player caught a pass and dunked the ball as time ran out, but the image that some of you may know very well is of Valvano running around the court with his arms wide open looking for someone...anyone to hug. 2) The second moment is less a sports moment and more a life moment. On March 4th, 1993 ( 10 years and 2 days after the tournament that won him a national championship started...he likes March huh?) he was awarded the Arthur Ashe award for courage (the inaugural issue of the award). He proceeded to give an incredibly funny, inspiring, real and moving speech. Whether by coincidence or not the past two years I've heard the speech played in it's entirety, last year it was on the radio as I drove to work and this year ESPN had it on all of their networks to kick off Jimmy V week (I think I may make it a tradition). Here's the link in case you would like to see it for yourself...or renew your memory of it.
http://www.jimmyv.org/remembering-jim/espy-awards-speech.html
Now if you don't watch it, I'd like to leave you with a few quotes from the speech that I think are the most fitting for everyday life.
"I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get you're emotions going"
"I know, I gotta go, I gotta go, and I got one last thing and I said it before, and I want to say it again. Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."
Alright now that I've taken care of that...
Dear Santa, I think I've been a pretty good boy this year. I did ALL my school work, I made new friends, and I even adopted...a pet. So here is my list of things I want:
- A healthy family
- A winning lottery ticket
- One of your reindeer...but I'll settle for Rudolph's nose
- For the people that read this post to do something for someone who isn't expecting it that will put a wonderful end to their year.
- **Side not to above item** If you send me an email and tell me what you did I'd love to post them on here and I'll keep you anonymous.
- A Cowboys playoff berth
- Great success for my friends
- A frisbee dog...but I'll settle for Beau being able to play frisbee
- For everyone to; laugh, think and let their emotions go. Everyday...just like Jimmy V said
- For Obama to be as good of a President, as I think he can be.
- To be healthy enough to play soccer again...damn shins!
- For Emmitt Smith to be a better broadcaster...or to stop broadcasting. I love you Emmitt but c'mon dog
- A lady friend
- A kiss from Danny Granger
- For deck shoes to go out of style
- My student loans to go play and go @#$% yourself
- And last...to be just as happy next time I have to make this list.
Happy Holidays friends!
