I always play this song first on my returns from Colorado because while I’m there it seems I’m always in a state of self-evaluation …and this was even before the the Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. When I’m there with my family its like this state of meditative calm overtakes me. Things just fall into place as to what’s really important in life…and what’s just extraneous bullshit.
It was a beautiful July 4th for MJ. Maybe the best one in my life to date. We did everything…. and from my point of view checked every box. The July 4th parade on the first row in Crested Debutte was highlighted by a Golden Retriever breaking loose from its group in the parade and adopting me.* The fly-by from the F-16s caught me off-guard as well. Then an off road ride on the top of the summit overlooking the valley beneath Gunnison and Crested Debutte left me breathless. We then closed off the night with a spectacular fireworks show on the campus of Western Colorado University in Gunnison.
I’ve decided this about Colorado…if I were ever to move there full-time…Gunnison is where I would want us to live. It’s me. A place for grinders and working class people who love to fish, love to hike and appreciate the beauty of nature, and don’t need the frills of the glamour spots elsewhere in the state.
We actually took an the alpine lift up to the top of Crested Debutte the next day as well. It was like touching the face of God. It was. In my previous body I could ski the blacks at places like Lake Tahoe, Taos, and Breckinridge. Now? I’m just grateful I can get on and off the lift chair in my tennis shoes with no snow on the ground.
That’s who I am. That’s why Nick Collison, Lu Dort, and Kenrich are my three favorite Thunder players of all-time. Grinders…just like me. Defense first type of guys.
This was my third 4th of July since my cancer revelation. I wasn’t supposed this live this long. But here’s the thing…you know, it’s like Dr. Showalter said to me in private, “Mike…I’m just a doctor. I’m not God. This isn’t about just what I’ve done as far as treatment with you. This is about you and how you’ve decided to live your life from this point forward. I’m proud of you.”
It’s funny…last night after watching this Serbian big cat named Nikola Topic play in a summer weague game for the Thunder…ESPN played the original Jimmy V cancer tribute.
Of course…I cried. Bigtime.
Coach V is an Italian like me and a huge disciple of Vince Lombardi…just like me as well.
His speech reminded me…that really if you do three things every day of life moving forward things will work for you in the end.
Those three things being:
1 Laugh every day.
2 Learn something new every day.
3 Cry once every day.
Mission acccomlished. I love you, Coach Jim Valvano.
My goal on this blog is to now hang around for this next NBA season to see who advances from the Western Conference next season. The East is in a complete state of shambles. Will it be Denver or OKC? Either way it goes…MJ feels as if he in his most spectacular prescient manner has hedged himself perfectly.
Kevin Durant with the Rockets…are you people kidding me? When is the last time we witnessed KD play impactful minutes in April and May? I’d ask for Dillion Brooks back. Seriously.
Life is good. It’s how you roll with the knock down punches which defines you.
Love, MJ
- We actually had a Golden Retriever named Lindy for the hockey player Eric Lindross when we were building the house out here on the mini-ranch in 2003-04. My wife’s favorite dog ever by far. Not even close.