Five Days Away

Today is Wednesday and next Monday is getting very close.  Yesterday I got to work on my swing with Doug.  What a blessing he is.   The morning was filled with thunder and rain, but stayed dry long enough for us to get some work in.  Doug looked at me with a grin and I knew I was hitting is well.   For a long time I have been fearful that I might play so poorly I embarrass myself and Doug.  Now I worry that I can play well enough to qualify and then WHAT DO I DO!   Oh, I go to Denver!

The purpose of this entire project has been to bring some joy into life and find a way to remember Josh without tears and depression.   That has been done.  I know Josh is with me and he is the most proud of all at how well I have done. 

Here we are, one week from the qualification dates in Tampa.  I played the course, Cypress Run on Saturday and was very pleased with my work there.  I played ok, and I made lots of notes on the course book I have for next week.  All in all, a good step.  Today, I really worked on hitting the driver as if it was the first tee on the 23rd.  Did really well.   It is so scary, I can really do this and make a trip to Denver.
Pray for peace. Pray for me. 

As the rain falls in Venice, I am thinking of the blessings and the transformation this project has already brought forward.  Two new contacts are Tony from the Folded Flag Foundation and Jeff from NIKE.
Together these two wizards have come forward and NIKE is building a Gold Star bag for me.  I can't begin to say thanks enough to matter, but I will always try.  Thanks and God Bless.
Regardless of the outcome, no one comes out on top without the efforts of Doug MacArthur, my friend, my coach, my blessing.  No better man has served his country and his heart. 
And today I crossed a long and very difficult bridge.  I began to understand that in order to play my best, I have to enjoy the time I play.  Sounds simple, but when I have been so long in depression and sorrow, to begin to live in joy is really a transformation.  And that is why we did this in the first place.  Josh would say,
"What took you so long, Dad?"   And I say, "It is what it is."   And today I lived a hundred years.

I have two great news items.  First I have a part time job at the Oaks Club in Sarasota, FL, an outstanding country club and two great 18s.  One of the benefits is getting to play the club, so now I have a great course to work on my game.  Second, Doug and I did a practice session with my driver.  First 20 shots were terrible, then I relaxed and by the end I was crushing the driver and a 3 wood as I have not for many years.  It was great.  Hard to tell distance, but Doug's best line, keep in mind he is a PGA Professional,  "I wish I had the shot."  That made me feel great.  I hit 10 in a row that were long, high, really well hit on the screws.
Its about time.

HI
Well, I missed getting funded on Kickstarter.  But I am going to continue the cause and work to find alternative ways to practice and compete.  This remains my goal and I will not stop til I can no longer stand.  Right now, I am still standing.  God bless those who gave it all
Kris

The week has been stressful, dealing with the loss of my wife's mother.  Too young, so difficult.  I did get to practice on Wednesday and was thrilled to hit some great 50 and 100 yd wedge shots.  I also hit a few 3 metals, 240 yds and right at the pin.  Balance seems to be the most important element of my swing.

We Are up and running on Kickstarter.
I am so excited I can barely stand it!   Kickstarter "The Road to Cherry Hills"

Please let everyone know about the project.  God Bless

I just watched the video that was produced by John Sipos and Ryan Johnson.  What a great effort by them.  Thank you so much my friends.

Good morning,  I just received a copy of a radio segment that will be aired this Sunday on Tampa radio.  John Sipos is the host and it includes Doug MacArthur, my swing coach.  I will post the audio file on this site as soon as possible.
God bless

Lots going on, but I have a phrase I am going to live with,   "Each and every swing."   I will remember Josh and think about everyone in my family, each and every moment.  Each and every day.  Each and every swing.  That is how to stay focused.

Yesterday was great and terrible.  On the great side, John Sipos and Ryan Johnson worked together to create the video that will finish my Kickstarter site and get us on the way to being funded.  Ryan is a master with a camera and John knows his way through an interview that gets the story out.  I can't wait to see the finished product.  I hope to start the Kickstarter in two days or so.   On the terrible side, my wife's mother in in the last stages of her fight with lung cancer.  We will miss her very much and the next few days and weeks will be very hard on the family.  Prayers are the best answer.  Thanks

My three sons will always be a major part of my life.  Their roles are however, quite different.  Josh of course, is my inspiration and hope, my sorrow and my joy.  Aaron is my pride and delight.  He is a great USCG officer and a leader of men.  I am so proud of him.  Carson, at three is my muse and my grounding.  He also drives me nuts!  Today I went to work with Doug on my swing and had Carson with.  He would not listen and was not going to let Papa get his work done.  How can you blame a three year old?  Can't, but it still drives me nuts.  Oh well.  I did get to hit about 25 balls, and when I pulled up the track line on the computer, they were all on line and same distance.  That was way too cool.  God bless Carson

Yesterday was my actual birthday.  I am now officially 61.  Carson was home yesterday with a cold and I was really struggling with getting much done.  Oh well.  I do have serious efforts to finish the Kickstarter video and finally get my funding avenue up and running.
As for golf, I spent some time doing exercises and working on my flexibility.  I know that the key to hitting a great shot is being able to release my hips and turn through the shot.  I know Doug plans on us having some work this week and getting out to play 9 holes.  I am really looking forward to that.

Yesterday was a good day.  I have some wonderful news but will have to wait to share the details.  The basics are we will have a golf tournament soon as a fund raiser for the project.  Thank you to John Brown.  I have shared my project with two new people, Ron from TAPS and Michael de Young, who has a Wounded Warrior documentary underway.  Both are really supportive of The Road to Cherry Hills.  Thank you guys.  On a family side, my mom is 95, and recently fell.  She is better but still in pain.  And my wife's mom is moving through the last stages of cancer.  Prayers for all please.  Lot to be said for a life philosophy of "grip it. and Rip it."  

                 

This is a short video about my son Josh and his memory.  I hope you enjoy it.  It is for all Gold Star families that I have started this project and it is about my personal road to heal.  I miss Josh every day and I know he wants me to get on with life and do something great.  Well, here I go, here we go.  The Road to Cherry Hills is before me.

Went to the driving range today and hit about 50 balls. Missed some and hit some great, but 45 were all on line, hit PW, 8 and 7.  All three right on line and nice control.  What Doug teaches is really good.  Last 5 shots were the best and really felt my legs release.   More to come.  

Hi
This is my first post on the blog.  I will get to the important stuff later, but thanks so much for being here.  I know there will be some great days and some really tough ones.  But as long as I stay on mission, keep focused, it will all work out great.

thanks