One for Alonzo!

Yet another moving moment at a Cleveland Indians' Game. Many moments, really! Little Alonzo Fragoso, of Las Vegas, asked to go to an Indians' game and meet his favorite players as his "make-a-wish' request!

So sure enough, Saturday, Alonzo and his family were treated to an Indians game with all the trimmings. Alonzo got to shag fly balls before the game, hit against his favorite pitchers, hung out with the guys in the clubhouse, tossed out the first pitch to one of his heroes, Victor Martinez, and even announced an inning with public address announcer Bob Tayek!

Centerfielder Grady Sizemore asked Alonzo for HIS autograph!

Alonzo said his little league team back in Las Vegas is, what else, the Cleveland Indians!

Alonzo brought the Indians good luck. They won against the Texas Rangers after losing 7 in a row!

The Indians made one of Alonzo's dreams come true. But it looks like little Alonzo gave the Indians' and the sell-out crowd the boost they needed too!

Thanks, Alonzo! You are a hero and a true inspiration to all of us!

Blown away!

I had yet another 'brush with fame' Wednesday. We had quite the crazy day at work. Baby showers, important visitors, lots of interns running all over the place. Quite a day out of the norm to say the very least!

I won't be able to express my thought as precisely as I'd like to...but basically, I was blown away and impressed by a very gracious, sweet young man. Braylon Edwards. He rocks! He was visiting and just won me over.

Soft spoken, funny, friendly, and so gracious to everyone 'gawking' and going up to him. And when word got to him that I was a HUGE fan but a bit embarrassed to go up and bother him, he welcomed me with open arms and said 'why were you afraid to talk to me....no reason to be!'

Thanks, Braylon!

This is something I've wanted to delve into but have not had the time or all the knowledge. But I'd love to see a story on the great athletes we have in town. Fans see them on the field and hear when something controversial happens or when they strike out four times in one game. However, what Cleveland fans do not see about their Indians, Cavs, and Browns (and Gladiators) is the 'behind the scenes' philanthropic activities many of these athletes pursue and are connected with on a daily basis.

Braylon not only dazzles fans on the field, but continues doing good for this community whether granting a young child's last wish before he dies and THEN paying for his funeral or donating literally millions of dollars to a certain charity. Braylon is not the only one. Many of the athletes in this town DO support Cleveland by their charitable actions off the field as well as on.

Thanks to all of you! Just yet another reason I LOVE THIS TOWN!

Rank: Only slightly invisible

Do you ever feel like you are invisible? This is not a bad thing! In fact, this is something I've learned to embrace and take pride in! Especially when I am with Mom. I've gotten to be known as 'Marianne's daughter.' Aren't you "Marianne's daughter?" And then everyone starts gushing about Mom.

I love it! They should gush. She is a remarkable woman! The fact that I am known as a wonderful woman's daughter....not a bad legacy to have!

However, I've noticed something of late! My rank of 'totally invisible' has risen to 'only slightly invisible.' What happened? What caused this catastrophic movement on the earth's surface? I don't think I'll ever know.

It really came to light yesterday at Dialysis. We were there at a different time. As I left, a tech and nurse (both very good looking I might add), took a double take, stopped me in the hallway and asked 'WHY are you here now?' I never even realized they knew WHO I was? Let alone who I was with and our time?!?! However, apparently they do. One started talking to me about the Indians. The other one, just started making small talk. It was actually very refreshing (and quite surprising) to see how 2 people I respect very much reciprocated the gesture! Did I mention how so very good looking both of them are!

Thanks for a thrilling season, Cavs!

Thanks! Our season may be over but what a thrilling 7-8 months!

Nothing to hang your or our heads about. You played hard. You played tough! For those of us who have been cheering all season long, a great ride!

I'm not gonna say 'wait until next year' because frankly life is too fragile and no one knows what even tomorrow will bring.

What I do know is that right now we have a very talented group of guys. We have a very shrewd management team in place. We do have THE #1 superstar, for now. That may have been our downfall. There are 5 guys on the court. Not just 1. Our 5 guys are pretty darn talented. The hype over just one guy brought on by the fans, the media and even the players themselves may have psyched out the makeup of this whole team. Oh, I have seen on at least 4 occasions over the last 2 weeks in pressure cooker situations the ball given to our superstar with just a few seconds left on the clock, and he 'dropped the ball.'

There is no 'I' in Team. We just have to play that way and we'll be ok on the court and off the court!

Kudos to an exciting season!

Beautiful animals

I've said this before about other amazing things, but will reiterate. You know there is a God when you peruse the beautiful composition and makeup of the Equus caballus.

Ok, the horse. I have taken horseback riding lessons. I think they are amazingly smart, brave, and very affectionate animals. Mom's relatives had a farm out in Chardon and she, too, shares my views about these beautiful creatures.

It's very disheartening when I hear the uninformed stirring up controversy about racing being a cruel pasttime. I agree that there are some people in this world who should not have animals. There are those who should not be allowed to own a horse or a dog because they do abuse and neglect them, for whatever reasons. There are also humans who should not have children or be allowed to reproduce. But that is a topic for another day.

My belief is that these race horses, such as the ones who ran today in Maryland, are treated better than humans. If the protesters don't know that, well...

The trainers, owners, jockeys, and vets treat these animals like royalty. They lovingly embrace them as a precious member of the family. They buy them 550 dollar shoes to cushion their fragile hooves, if necessary, and feed them very well. They fawn over them constantly. The animals get a great work out every day and enjoy the outdoors. Frankly, that does not sound like a bad gig to me!

Animal-less Homo sapiens should take heed at how lovingly these special animals (horses and dogs) interact with their owners. The world might be a better place!

So many causes, so little time

There are so many causes in the world today, and every single one of them is valid and newsworthy. As the saying goes, pick your battles wisely...and I guess that's how we should champion our causes so as not to be totally overwhelmed.

As something hits close to home, it seems we become more passionate about it and embrace it.

Mom came home from dialysis today with a stack full of flyers stating at the top "Make your voice heard to Congress!"

As many of you may have read in an earlier post, I hate politics. I think there are a handful of people pulling all the strings and, at times, the little guy really has no say. However, that does not mean we should give up the fight!

I'd like to get up on this soap box for a few minutes because I do have someone on dialysis with kidney issues.

Try to make the time to log onto http://www.capitolconnect.com/kidneycare/default.aspx.

This is for the Kidney Care Partners Community Petition. Basically, it says that more than 26 million Americans alone suffer from CKD which is Chronic Kidney Disease. Many people do not even know they have it, and if left untreated will more than likely lead to kidney failure and End-Stage Renal Disease.

The numbers are staggering. They project the # of people with kidney failure will DOUBLE over the next ten years.

Most should be covered by Medicare but it appears that this petition is pushing for Congress (my favorite people) to pass kidney-related Medicare reforms which hopefully in the long run will help this problem.

Allegedly, these reforms would

1. Educate the public about kidney disease
2. Give pre-dialysis education in order to slow down the disease, if possible
3. Enhance much needed training for dialysis care technicians
4. Help give kidney patients access to quality treatment without high costs
5. Overall, promote greater awareness about this growing problem

I've seen a dialysis session. I'm there with Mom as she tries to get all the kinks out after sitting in the same position for over four hours...while the tech takes the needles out of her arm....and the bottom line is, if you don't do this, you die.

If we can all band together to get the word out, and try to make a difference, maybe one day we will.

Even if this cause is not one you wish to champion, I hope you sit back, contemplate, and think of a few causes that are near and dear to your heart, and then jump in with both feet, head first!

Thank you, Mom!

I state the obvious: I would not be here today were it not for you, Mom!

But putting the blatant obvious aside, You have been my rock, my support system, my best friend.

I can not thank you enough for everything you have done to make my life more than I could ever imagine. We always had what we needed, and most of the time, what we wanted!

You somehow mustered up the funds, the clothes, the time to help on extra special things such as school projects, or whatever!

Which continued during College....somehow worked your magic to allow me to take a trip to Paris, France....and when I needed something, you would make the drive to bring "supplies" and the goods!

Which continued when I graduated and started in the real workforce, always giving me the confidence and telling me I can do anything!

I should not speak for us all, but I will. Our wonderful memories are because of you. Taking care of 6 people, more than 6 people when Uncle Johnny lived with us! It seems throughout your entire life, you were always taking care of the masses....your brothers and sister when you were a teen....then my cousins when they were small....then all of us.....you've been given a great gift.

Not to mention ALL of the amazing baseball trips...ALL of the fun times we shared while on those jaunts....the love of baseball.....the world wise knowledge....the old-time stories shared time and time again.....seeing how others flock to you and have only nice things to say.....being there when I needed a pal to go to a concert.....we've seen some great acts together: Clapton, Bruce, Don Henley, Elton...the list is endless.....

And then Katie. Katie was Colleen's but knew when she wanted something, WHO to go to and that someone was YOU.

I could go on. Every single day of my life I am awestruck at the respect and love others have for you. I can not live a day without someone coming up to me telling me how wonderful you are...asking about you, telling me how much they adore you...and telling me how lucky I am having you as a Mother! But, I already knew all of that!

I DO want to be like you when I grow up.

I thank God every day that you are still with us. There were some close calls. But, all I can do is continue embracing every minute we have together, thanking God for each memory made, and attempt to show you how much I love you (which will NEVER be enough compared to what you have done for me) while I still can.

Thank you, Mom. I love you. Happy Mother's Day!

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