My good friend and colleague, Aaron, asked me how our game went last night. I respect Aaron very much as an experienced multi-sport coach, dedicated parent, and teacher who always models for his student athletes (and their parents) what good sportsmanship looks like, how to win and lose gracefully, and how to communicate expectations clearly.… Continue reading Why We Coach Youth Sports Even When…
Dear Mr. Cosby, When I watched you yesterday on the news, at 81 years old, be taken to prison in handcuffs to serve 3-10 years as a convicted rapist, I was very sad. Sad, not for the condemnation by the court or guilty verdict, but for the 10 year old girl who loved watching your… Continue reading A Letter for Bill Cosby
If you haven’t heard, here in New England there is an ABUNDANCE of SQUIRRELS. They have been pictured happily swimming across lakes and sadly squished along highways. In a recent trip to southern NH, we counted 15 in about three miles on the interstate. Needless to say, the carnage has captured our children’s interest. “Mom,… Continue reading An Ode to Squirrels, 8th Graders, and Middle School Teachers
When Geoff was paralyzed in 1995, the first major decision he made was to sell his ‘86 Chevy Blazer and buy a downhill mountain bike. This was his “re-entry” sport as an adaptive athlete, where gravity quickly became his best friend again and where the world didn’t seem quite so limited in a seated position.… Continue reading Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Blog: “Spoke-n Thoughts,” August 3, 2018
Spring. Easter. Life. Renewal. Redemption. Mud. Lots of mud. Kids in our neck of the woods are used to Easter egg hunts with feet of snow on the ground; tulips, daffodils and, crocuses are generally sprinkled with spring snow before truly given a chance to bloom. We ride our bikes and scooters and sleds all… Continue reading Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Blog: Making the Extra Hours of Daylight Count, April 5, 2018
I have loved both my children and my green Subaru Outback passionately since their arrival in our world in 2011. Greta and the “Subes” were delivered about two weeks apart. Yet, the addition of our sweet, amazing service pup Emerson has thrown off my ability to pack the car for my own road trip survival. … Continue reading “Stop Touching Each Other,” I Scream from the Front Seat Like Many Parents with More Than One Child…
Thank you for “Back to School” back pack drives like this one sponsored by our fabulous Bridge Project for our students who might otherwise show up to school with nothing but a smile, and, sadly, not even that. The intention is for all students to be granted a new school bag with some essential items… Continue reading Beyond the Back Pack: Stocking the Stoke for School
If you haven’t been able to visit Jean’s Playhouse in Lincoln, NH for Beauty and the Beast, there is STILL TIME. The enchanted rose has not lost all of her petals yet! The show runs through Saturday, August 4, and the link for tickets is here. Initially, my mom was going to take my daughter… Continue reading Thank You, Jean’s Playhouse, for This “Beauty and the Beast”
I think it started the day the first two boys from Thailand were rescued from the cave. My kids watched me watch the news that morning and watched me cry big fat tears of relief that those little soccer players would return to their families. It was all too much for me– the poor coach… Continue reading When We Need Mr. Miyagi, Apple Cider Vinegar, and a Good Cry
Leaving from Austin, Texas where I had spent 48 hours with college girlfriends celebrating 25 years of friendship, Captain Eric of our United flight made his way back to row 28 looking for a woman named Ally. When Ally identified herself, actually in row 26, Captain Eric introduced himself and thanked her for her service. … Continue reading Our Beatles and Bon Jovi
Heather Ehrman Krill: The "Write" Kind of Coach 