August 31, 2012 In News & Updates

nap time

BLR Play It Forward, parts 2 – X are owed here. Let me rephrase that: The posts I want to share here are still on my radar and will be shared- maybe tomorrow, maybe in a few days, likely this coming week.

In case you’ve just started following and don’t yet know me:

It never feels right, posting here when I’m  tired, not “into it”, unfocused, or feel forced. I never want to bs with my words because believe in authenticity first and always. Saying that, anytime you might check back here and not see consistent posts or notes from me, rest assured it simply means I’ve “stepped away from my desk” to do all that life stuff I usually never cut myself a break on. I know I don’t have to explain myself, but I want to. I have created this entity to share regularly with you, and you have committed to me by visiting here. In turn I am committed to you by keeping you in the loop.

Blue Lollipop Road is my baby and on my mind 24/7 like a living breathing thing. I guess like any living thing, she just needs a nap every once in a while.

Happy Holiday Weekend. See you soon after nap time!

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August 28, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, Photos

blr play it forward: part 1

Where to begin a post about a weekend that was so intense and special?

Planning for BLR Play It Forward started in September 2011 during a visit in NH with an old high school friend and fellow soccer alumni I hadn’t seen or spoken to in over 10 years. From her initial idea for a reunion soccer game, to executing our full-scale weekend long event in Vermont just 10 days ago, it all ended up being far beyond what I (we) had hoped for. I am more proud of what we created with BLR Play It Forward, than anything else I have ever done.

18 years and 10 days ago, I woke up to a day that devastated me like no other with the news 2 that my very good friends and soccer teammates had been killed in a car accident. My life changed forever in an instant and for every one of the 6,580 days I have woken up since, I’ve thought about 8/18/1994. That will never change. The loss of 2 people who represented pure joy, love, and fun to so many of us, delivered the most heartbreaking, yet greatest most cherished lesson I have ever learned- that people and time are the most precious gifts in this life.

To properly illustrate the impact or irreplaceable moments our big event made on me, the families of our lost friends, the alumni who were there, our coaches, and community members feels impossible. Such a striking pain on a day that reminds us of such loss, coupled with the overwhelming joy-filled moments of reconnection with the community we grew up in, and fully feeling the love and spirit of our two girls up in the clouds on one day all together- will likely leave my head in this humbled, thankful, daze for a long time to come. 8/18/12 was a day that will never be replaced.

I will do my best in my several-part posts here to properly share with you all about a weekend I will never forget. First and most importantly a thank you:

To the families of Maria and Brandy~

The fact that you came to share yourselves with us on the 18th day of August day is beyond anything we could thank you for. Your bravery and generosity are admirable. We were able to see again that the girls you raised came from places of pure authenticity and heart- this is how It was so easy to love them to this day like we do. I hope anytime your hearts feel empty with the pain of your loss, they will always fill right back up knowing how much we all live better because of your daughters. I am absolutely a better person than I ever could be, because of the time I got to spend with Maria and Brandy.

You accepted our wishes to create this event with 100% open arms after not seeing or speaking to most of us for nearly 18 years. That is a gift beyond anything I have ever received. I hope you all know that in every moment during and since our BLR Play It Forward Weekend, I have been inspired more than ever to keep living like I mean it. I promise to never stop. You should also know that the “space” that you were such a significant part of creating with us, has in turn made this open door for all of us (alumni) to share thoughts and feelings with each other that we never would’ve felt comfortable sharing had this event not happened. Please know that we all carry a piece of number 10 and 18 with us everyday, close to our hearts. The positive impact your blue lollipop eatin’ crazy fun, soccer loving daughters still have on every single one of us- is a light like no other. I thank you with every piece of my heart for making 2 people who will forever be my great example of pure happiness.

Blue balloons and Strong Mojo forever~

Blue balloons for our girls

Love, Diane

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August 28, 2012 In grow, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin

warning: on this ride, you may get wet

August 1- August 27, 2012:

From the Windy City Chicago, to Madison WI bike trails and green space, to Stevens Point WI for PaddleQuest adventure race, to Southern VT for BLR Play It Forward, to Upstate NY for Finger Lakes and wineries, to Toronto Canada for a first time visit to check one big one off the leap list, back to Upstate NY, to Middleburg VA to a horse farm and dessert shop visit.

Whew!

The past 26 days have included runs through green fields, corn fields, soccer fields, dirt roads, paved roads, farms and over bridges, time with friends kids, a wedding, boat rides, swimming in rivers, swimming in quarries, fresh grown food from gardens, gifted dinners, dancing under a tent, some seeing old friends, meeting new friends, mistakes, accomplishments, time with family, the biggest event I have ever planned, so much pride and joy, a bunch of tears too, locally brewed beers and locally made wine, a border crossing, intriguing strangers and unexpected connections, life lessons, lots of fun, tons of laughs, deep thoughts and reflection, some regrets, buckets of excitement, another birthday, more miles on a trusty Honda Civic than I have yet to calculate- and then some.

It’s amazing what can happen in a month or less of life. I knew this would be an “epic” August, but I never imagined at the tail end of it I’d be sitting typing reflecting like I am right now. This month proves once again that you just never know. The things you think are going to be off the charts amazing and perfect- often times end up less than stellar, and the things you don’t ever expect- often end up being beyond any stellar you could’ve imagined. Pads and shin guards anyone?

Here’s to being able to roll with the punches, letting yourself feel every bit of the tilt-a-whirl ride, and the wonder of what wild unexpected adventure will come next.

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