I’m late again – sue me… It’s more laziness than busy-ness – but sometimes it’s nice to be able to be lazy.
I had an incredible weekend last week… I brought my lungs closer to home – we spent a long weekend in Des Moines. I was there for a couple of reasons – one reason was a surprise birthday party for a chick I adore… The other reason I’d brought up at the end of a post last year titled “Swim, Bike, Run, Chase…” At the end of that post – a brother I think is very special had sent me a note saying, “When we find a race in Iowa – your butt is going with us. Just a little FYI.” Which was why my butt was in Iowa last weekend. I got to spend much of the weekend with Lon, Trevor, Brandon & Dave. Dave is to the Coleman boys what TC would call a “brotha from anotha motha…”
Friday night Laura and I went to a pig roast & picnic for the Tri-for-Life team. Ted and the My Angel Foundation, and John and his foundation sponsored the picnic as a little fundraiser to help support the Tri-for-Life team’s cause – they will do a triathlon in all 50 states in their brother’s memory, and to promote organ donation awareness…
At the beginning of the picnic – Lon took a moment to tell all of us why they do what they do. Last year, Buck & Nancy – their Dad & Mom – told me and Laura a lot about Chase when we met them at the Chicago Triathlon, and they told us about all four of their sons. It was very moving hearing the story from Lon and getting an idea of what they feel about him, and why they do this to honor him…
Then, I got to play volleyball in the sand with them for a few hours. My lungs belong to a star middle-hitter. The rest of me belongs to an almost-50-year-old guy who is afraid of flying objects. But I still had a lot of fun – especially after John’s wife, Stephanie – who coaches volleyball – brought a little organization to our team. After the first 30-40 minutes of playing haphazardly and usually running from the ball – a game was set up between the Tri-for-Life guys and all of the other adults and Stephanie was in charge of our side. Unfortunately, I was considered an adult – but we actually gave them a run for their money – and I found out that I really think I could like volleyball!
Saturday, Ted & Bethany took us to the Des Moines Farmer’s Market where we wandered around purchasing produce (OK, fudge and peanut-brittle – whatever – it was probably produce at one time…) There were thousands of people there – it’s a HUGE market!!! Laura, Bethany and I were wandering across a street and walking towards us was a beautiful, young family – the woman had a beaming smile and said she knew me… Laura just rolled her eyes and Bethany looked a little surprised – then the woman said, “You’re Steve! Steve Ferkau!!!” Yes – yes I was… I took a guess at why she might recognize me and I gave her a hug – and I was right… She knew Kari – she was a year ahead of Kari in school… Last year she had seen me in an Iowa newspaper, and she had seen my website. Her name is Abby – we’d exchanged a few emails back then – but we had never met. She said she had never been good with names or faces – but she immediately knew who I was… Most of you know how I feel about Kari’s friends – you can probably imagine how special it felt to have one of them who I have never met pick me out in a crowd. Yes, it makes me feel like a rock star – but mostly, it reminds me that her friends will not forget Kari.
Saturday night, Laura and I got to hang with my Jenn – at a surprise party for her. Jenn had managed to find out about the surprise party, so it wasn’t a surprise – but it was a surprise that we were there… We would have come out with or without the triathlon – but it was nice that we just happened to be there. Jenn is the first of Kari’s friends who I really developed a relationship with – and in January, I get to be at her wedding. I always like being around her.
Our friends Tara & Michael were also at the picnic, and at Jenn’s party, and Tara went to the race… We met Tara & Michael at the Rose Parade – there was a beautiful floragraph on the float honoring their daughter Emily, who became a donor at the age of nine. They now tell others about organ donation, and the gifts that Emily and so many others have given…
Sunday morning at 5am, Ted picked us up to head over to the Hi-Vee Triathlon… Laura and I enjoy attending these events and cheering people on – it’s much more special when there are athletes participating who hold a place in your heart… It was an incredible event – and it was so much fun to hoot ‘n holler for Dave, Lon, Trevor, Brandon and Bethany!
Here are Dave, Trevor, Brandon and Lon at around 5:30am - bikes in the transition area and ready to walk over to the start of the swim...
In their rush to get ready, they forgot the "Donate Life" tattoos they usually have all over themselves - but we ran into another athlete with one on her shoulder...
On the left is Lon, to the right is Brandon after the swim. I got all of these pictures from the Coleman brothers - we had commandeered their camera and we didn't get any pictures of them on their bikes! (Certainly, it was because they were too fast...)
This is Tara, who I mentioned above - one of our cheering section at the race, and someone very special to me, along with her squeeze, Michael.
I don't have a picture - but like Brandon's headband, "CHASE" is down one leg of all of their suits. It doesn't have to be there - after a few moments with them, you can tell he's etched in their hearts.
Here are the guys with Ted & Bethany after the race... Bethany ran the race too! I'm proud of her as well...
I have people who I’ve grown to love who are waiting for something – lungs, a heart, a liver or kidney… There are people who we’ve lost who I’ve also grown to love – Kari, Chase, Emily, Sam, Jay – there are so many… Somehow I know that because of Lon, Trevor, Brandon & Dave – more people are going to know about the Chases in the world, and about the goodness generated by organ donation – and some people are not going to wait as long for what they need…
Do you get the idea that these guys are some of my heroes? Good…
I know that Chase is very proud of his brothers…