Wednesday, January 5, 2011

My problems and your problems really aren't that bad!

One thing I've told myself to be better at this year is to not get so upset when things go wrong.  Sure there are the daily headaches of life that get under your skin and the occasional issues that throw you into a tailspin of anger.  For me that all started this morning!
I woke up this morning to find that my phone had not charged over night.  Thinking maybe the charger had come unplugged I simply plugged it back in and then went about my normal morning routine.  As I was getting ready to leave I noticed my phone wasn't charging at all and my phone wouldn't recognize the charger.  (bad mood starts to set in)  Then I realize I completely forgot about a meeting I had with a friend this morning.  (bad mood really starts to set in) So now, completely pissed off and realizing I have to spend the rest of my moring getting my phone fixed, I head to my mailbox to begin my day.  Let's rewind a few weeks shall we....
On November 6th, Boise State was lead on to the field by it's biggest fan and new coach Stephen Kinsey.  Coach Kinsey is a 12 year old kid that has Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  His wish was to meet the BSU Football team.  I'm sure you know the story by now of the outstanding treatment Coach Kinsey and his family was shown by the Boise State Football team and staff. 
I will admit at the point as he is running onto the field I knew none of this.  What makes that fact so weird is I work in the media industry and his story was all over the news.  Once I learned of his story I could not help but tear up everytime I saw Coach Kinsey on the sidline.  For those of  you wondering, yes I am a very emotional person!
I was very curious to learn more about Coach Kinsey after the game so I began searching the internet and Facebook and came across this:

Until Stephen Is Cancer Free

That link will take you to a Facebook Page run by Coach Kinsey's family with updates about his condition. I instantly clicked on the like button! Reading more on this page, the Kinsey Family is going through struggles none of us could imagine! I suggest taking time to read their story, it truly is amazing!
I would continuely check up on this page and notice that while the Boise State Football team was an inspiration to Coach Kinsey, Coach Kinsey had become an inspiration to Bronco Nation.  I to became inspired after reading all the positive messages Coach Kinsey was sending to BSU and Bronco Nation. (especially after the Nevada game)
I also noticed people talking about these blue bracelets they were wearing in support of Coach Kinsey and I searched the page for info on how to get one. I finally came across an email adress for his mother and ordered one right away! Ever since I ordered it I was like Ralphie from A Christmas Story checking my mailbox everyday for my Little Orphan Annie Secret Socitety Decoder Ring!
Well this morning it finally arrived! As soon I opened it up, put it on my right wrist, I looked down and all my troubles washed away.  I realized how selfish I was being.
So my phone is broke...I'm getting it repaired.  So I forgot about the meeting...it's rescheduled. So I spilled my coffee in my car this morning...it's cleaned up.  Point is this...right now we all have a second chance! We have a second chance to right our wrongs, fix our mistakes, and correct our problems.  Coach Kinsey may not! Coach Kinsey is in the fight of his life...a fight none of us could imagine! While none of us know what tomorrow brings, Coach Kinsey has to wonder at times if he even has a tomorrow!
So now I wear my blue bracelet in support of Coach Kinsey and his fight! Everytime something bad happens in my life I look at it and know that there is a brave young man fighting for his life all while never losing his spirit or smile!
Coach if you ever ready this, you have become an inspiration to me and thousands of Boise State fans all over this country. And while one day I hope I can tell you this in person, thank you for the positive energy and uplifting messages you have brought to Bronco Nation! You have forever impacted my life and thank you is not enough! To quote my mentor, the former director of the Boise State Marching Band who lost his battle with cancer, "May your God bless and give 'em hell kid"  (for those of you that knew David A. you know thats what he would have said to Coach Kinsey!)
Bottom line is this...when your having a bad day your really not! It's just another SIMPLE struggle to get through!  Just smile, get through it, and everything will be ok!

~MJ~

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for writing this. The support that Stephen is receiving is truly amazing.

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