Football frustration

Okay - I know I am a girl. But one of the things I pride myself on is my cool factor has to have been increased by my love of college football. When I moved south with my mom in '85, my loyalty was for Ohio State University (Go Bucks!). In fact, I have a clear memory of a New Year's Eve (probably '86/87??) celebration in New Orleans, stumbling around with my friends, and OSU was playing LSU in the Sugar Bowl the next day. I was being the rebel, shouting "OSU!" at every group of similarly drunk LSU fans...trying to start a fight. But I wasn't truly a football fan per se. I didn't follow the players or the game all that much.
When I moved to college in Mobile, Alabama I was often asked "Auburn or 'Bama?" I had no idea how to answer. I just said "OSU" and was greeted with "No deary - you must chooooooose."
I stayed true to my yankee roots and held firm to OSU. But then something changed.
I fell in love with Auburn football (War Damn Eagle!) in 1990 while dating an alum. He turned me on to the rich tradition and southern charm of it. The legend of the War Eagle, circling the battlefield. The many chants and songs. The lore of the perfect season while under suspension and no promise of a bowl game. The fun of an in state rivalry (versus the full on "our state is better than your state" of OSU vs Michigan) which pits brother against brother and husband against wife...
I actually started to watch and understand the game. I became more than a 'school' fan - I became a college football fan!
So all of that leads me to where I was Saturday night...hoping against hope that Auburn would pull off the upset and beat LSU, at home on Jordan-Hare field, and under the lights.
*sighs*
It was not to be.
But hey - at least I am cool for knowing how much the game mattered to those boys!
War Eagle boys!
Play on!

The Dash

Today I, along with Brian and several other close friends from the YSC, attended the funeral of the husband of my close friend, Jody Carrico-Martin. As noted in my prior post, Jody is battling stage IV breast cancer. Marty was killed in the line of duty early Saturday morning. Brian wrote about the funeral on the HELP FIDO blog and you can read the beautiful Dispatch article here. The funeral was epic. Rich in pageantry and formality - yet full of personal touches. There were hundreds of officers, a pipe and drum corp to play "Going Home" and "Amazing Grace," and the final call from dispatch for Marty's car. Marty's retired K-9 Unit dog Bul lead the coffin procession out of the church and from the hearse to its final resting place. Later, during the 21 gun salute Bul and all the other dogs present began to bark.
Extremely fitting.
Sherrif Jim Karnes spoke at the funeral about the cover of the funeral program. That there are two years noting a persons birth and death. But what matters most is the dash in between. This resonated with Brian and me. And I made a point to gather the YSC gals in attendance in a group hug and tell them that this moment is why we do what we do - it is why we are together as survivors and to support one and other in all matters. On a personal level, it is why I feel compelled to volunteer with the YSC, and with HELP FIDO. It is why I choose to recycle, eat locally grown everything, and work in research.
Your life is defined in how you live it. Marty lived his in service to the community, county and the country.
My thoughts are with Jody and Kyle, as well as all my YSC family members.
If you wish to help Jody - she has requested Kroger or Giant Eagle gift cards (she has dogs, chickens and goats to feed!), or Visa check cards.
Or you can send a check, made out to Jody Carrico-Martin.
Even notes and cards just showing support may help.
Please send these to:
YSC Central Ohio
7716 Rivers Edge Drive
Suite A
Columbus, OH 43235
or call 614.470.0300
**Amendment: The Dispatch article doesn't mention Jody so I will tell you a couple things. She looked beautiful. I am sure Marty was very proud of her and how she held it together for the service and internment. During the pipe band playing "Amazing Grace" I looked over for her and she had gotten up and laid hand her hand on the casket. It was an image that will remain seared in my memory for when I ever wonder what love is.**

A Shock to the System

So - I planned on writing a post on attending the Stand Up to Cancer telethon in Los Angeles. That was Friday night. It was cool - though I didn't get to meet any celebrities. I went with Lanita Moss - current YSC pres., and 2 west coast YSC-ers, Marissa and Lori. Wonderful gals! And we hooked up with a couple other YSC-ers who were there representing the Network of Strength org (formerly known as Y-Me). It was also great to connect with folks from other like-minded orgs such as i[2]y and Immerman Angels.
Well - all this was overshadowed on my way home Saturday day. I lucked out and got an early flight. Just as I was boarding, Brian called to tell me some awful news: a close friend's husband had died overnight in a car crash. Jody's husband Marty was a sherriff's deputy and was working and riding with another deputy. Rainy humid weather apparently caused them to hdyroplane and flip their SUV. Marty died en route to the hospital.
Jody is living with advanced breast cancer, diagnosed 5 years ago at the age of 30. Her health has been declining. Not that you would really know it as she sits on the local YSC council and does a variety of activities.
I am so devastated for her and angry at this disease. If she did not have breast cancer, losing Marty would be hard enough. If she did not have breast cancer, my first thoughts wouldn't be "How will she pay for treatment?" If she did not have breast cancer then she could just grieve. But I know there is more going through her head.
The Columbus Dispatch has done a nice article - probably appearing in Sunday's paper. If anyone comes across this blog (because I don't think people really read my blog yet), please place Jody and her family in your thoughts for a few minutes.

I have mentioned before that I am the vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). On many occasions when I have lobbied for cancer research dollars on the federal level I have heard comments such as “When are the American people going to fund cancer research the way they do the Red Cross, etc?” (apparently these folks haven’t heard of Komen or the American Cancer Society).And many of you may have heard about the Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C) live telethon this Friday night.

Earlier this summer, Katie Couric, Charles Gibson, and Brian Williams toured the morning talk shows to announce this unprecedented collaboration to raise money via a live telethon. This was inspired I am sure, by the tremendous response post-Katrina and September 11 events of similar nature.According to the site – more than 50 personalities from TV, film, sports and music will be making personal appearances and attending to a phone bank. There will also be a performance of the song “Just Stand Up” – available now on iTunes with the proceeds going directly to SU2C.SU2C dollars will go to a variety of research avenues – including an RFP that went out seeking “Dream Team” collaborations moving bench side research to bedside. I am proud to say that the YSC is participating in this event as a resource for young breast cancer survivors and their caregivers, as well as researchers. As such – I will be in attendance during the telethon!!

I fly out on Thursday, attend a luncheon hosted by Sherry Lansing and other celebs, and then attend the actual event. I don’t think I will be answering phones or on tv but if it means I get to sit next to George Clooney then I will do whatever they ask!I would be so honored if you consider watching the telethon and keep an eye out for me. I would be even more honored if you would consider taking this opportunity to make a donation to the YSC in my honor! Every little bit helps!I am sporting a pink swatch of hair right now so you might spot me! Let me know if you do! The YSC has 4 tickets and so Lanita Moss and I will be attending with two others YSC members. Again – it is Friday night, 8pm (EST) on all three networks.