Welp, it’s good to be back in my Friday parking space for the first time in a fortnight. I must kick off the festivities with a tip of my eleven-gallon hat to the inimitable Frank “Beach Walks” Angle and the lovely Dale for doing a bang up job in my absence. Muchas? Meet Gracias . . and take a bow, you two!
We kick off this episode with the story of Anthony Elfalak, a three-year old Australian boy who was found after a harrowing four day search of the family’s rural property north of Sydney.
AJ, as he is called by family and friends is autistic and non-verbal, which made the search for the young boy that much more challenging. The prospects of finding the toddler safe and sound diminished with each passing day, given the more than 700 acres of wilderness that comprise the property. One person described the landscape as a “maze” of canyons, cliffs and bushland.
Thanks to the efforts of police officials as well as a search party of more than 385 people, the massive undertaking had a happy ending when AJ was found a third of a mile from his home. While some feared the worst, the men and women responsible for his safe return never wavered. A paramedic who treated AJ referred to him as a “little survivor”, but we shouldn’t forget the lesson in all this.
It took a village.
We don’t expect much from ESPN, and for good reason. But they have officially jumped the shark with their latest embarrassment.
IMG Academy- a finishing school for top prospect football players funded by the agency of the same name- played Bishop Sycamore High School on the four-letter network a couple weeks ago. If it was purely a matter of ESPN laying a wrecking ball on high-school athletics in the name of ratings dollars, we’d shrug, since they do that all the time. But this game, it was different. How different, you ask?
Well . . umm . . Bishop Sycamore . . isn’t actually a high school. When real journalists- as in, not ESPN personnel- started asking questions about the alleged accomplishments of the Ohio based school, the ruse was uncovered. It was yet another pay for play scam crafted by their ringleader/head coach Leroy Johnson, who has an arrest warrant out on him for “fraudulent misrepresentation, conversion, and unjust enrichment,”.
As for the game, IMG routed Bishop Sycamore by a score of 58-0, but the good news is that none of the not ready for varsity players was injured in what was a seriously dangerous situation. Add that to the fact that the faux school had played a game just two days before facing off against IMG . . another little fact ESPN somehow missed.
Shameful just doesn’t say enough.
A quick shout out to McKenzie Milton for achieving what many believed impossible in a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last weekend. Milton is the quarterback for Florida State these days, but in his last football life with UCF, he suffered a devastating leg injury that put an end to his playing days.
Milton didn’t see it that way, and almost three years later he was back on a football field, completing a 22-yard pass on his first attempt. His team came up short on the scoreboard, but Milton was the biggest winner of the night just by showing up. At the time of the surgery that would save Milton’s leg, his surgeon said the hope was that one day the kid would be able to walk without pain. “Anything above that would be a bonus,”
Dr. Bruce Levy was there on Saturday night for the bonus round.
The lovely Dale is chiming in with two stories this week, one of which serves as the capper to this episode. Imma start with this tale about a foster dad who brings a new and wonderful meaning to the idea of a full house. And not for nothing, but he’s loving every moment of it.
Peter Udabazi ran away from his home in Uganda when he was just ten years old. He fled an abusive father and lived on the streets for a time until someone took him in. It was a lesson he never forgot, and he vowed to give back in that very same way one day should the opportunity arise. After moving to the states after college, he went to work for World Vision- a non-profit organization that helps children. In 2017, he became a foster parent and in the time since he has fostered more than a dozen children.
It was 2018 when he met Anthony- an 11 year old boy who had been abandoned by his adoptive parents. And that’s when the lesson he had carried with him, all the way from Uganda, showed up. “Anthony would always ask me, ‘Hey Dad, when will I be officially adopted?'” Mutabazi said. “And of course, with foster care you never know when.”
In November of 2019, it became official. After which COVID happened to the world and Peter witnessed another dilemma taking place at agencies across the country.
“With foster care, they are overloaded with kids and I could not imagine a kid wanting a safe place to be loved in the midst of this . . . I could not say no,” Mutabazi said. So he had to find a way to give more. Because people like Peter always do. And so, as of this publication, the Mutabazi household is now home to four kids and two dogs . . and counting.
It’s a stay tuned kind of deal, but nobody’s complaining.
Frank “Beach Walks” Angle sent me this next story and I’m going to provide the link (right here) since I wasn’t able to fetch the video for it. The video above is from a GMA piece that ran shortly after one of the deadliest mass shootings in Greater Cincinnati.
Whitney Austin is a mother of two who became a casualty of gun violence on September 6th, 2018. As she was walking to her job at Fifth Third in Cincinnati, a gunman opened fire; killing three people and wounding two others, including Whitney, who was shot twelve times and yet, somehow survived.
She refuses to call herself a victim though. She started Whitney Strong as a way of educating others while pushing for legislation that could help stem the tide of gun violence in this country. Listen to these two videos and I’m sure you’ll come away with the same opinion I did.
We have to do better.
Tomorrow marks twenty years since a clear blue sky turned ruinous. Twenty years ago, morning became night and it changed this country forever. For those of us who lived through that day, September 11th does not feel twenty years removed from our memory banks. Because when we think back on the day, we are right back inside the shock and anguish, the horror and grief.
As we have learned many times before and since that Tuesday morning, all of our first responders have one thing in common. They show up every day with the idea that they might not be going home. They fight fires, they respond to mass shootings and they care for the injured and the sick, putting their lives on the line in the service of their communities.
When a 15-year old lab mix named Zoey went missing in Arlington, Texas recently, the neighborhood got to stepping in their search for her. From social media engagement to knocking on doors to calling out her name countless times even though they knew it was fruitless because she’s deaf. In those desperate moments, all that mattered was finding her safe and sound.
Two days after she went missing, city water crews located Zoey in a storm drain. They set up a camera to monitor her condition, after which the city’s first responders went to work saving her. Firefighters, police officers and paramedics worked tirelessly; using everything at their disposal, from jackhammers to pneumatic saws. They worked in the extreme heat for almost half the day until they were finally able to pull the lab to safety.
Zoey is going to be just fine thanks to first responders whose mission it is to overcome any challenge and help anyone who needs their help. And it brings to mind the last passage in the firefighters creed, which, truthfully, speaks for anyone who puts on a uniform in the name of service.
‘ . . I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest works . . .”
God bless all our heroes.
It’s a great way to start this day Marc. Despite all the problems and yep, pure hate that’s going on there are always the good people who lift us up. I saw a photo of the little 3 year old lost drinking from a pool of water in the woods. A deep sigh of relief. Thank you so much 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s to the heroes, Holly.
Thank YOU so much for the lovely comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely, they deserve our gratitude and beautiful tribute that you extend to them. 🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Holly, you’re lovely. Have a great rest of your weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too dear Marc. Enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another outstanding spotlight on the heroes among us (leaving ESPN out of it of course.) Thanks to Dale and Frank for their assist. The flag-raising at ground zero video was a heartbreaker.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They did one hell of a job. And thank you Boss, mucho.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another wonderful collection of goodness throughout the world. First responders are everyday heroes. Simple people who do courageous stuff for anyone. After all, look at the role they played in the various stories above! Thanks for the props and cheers to Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s to all the first responders who put on a uniform, or not, and work selflessly to keep us safe.
Thank you Cincy.
LikeLike
B
You know it was my pleasure to try to fill your boots for one week.
I cannot even try to fathom (nor would I ever want to) the fear felt by family and friends of Anthony. Four days and he was a third of a mile from home! Still, he might have been walking around the whole time. Poor little guy. Little Survivor indeed.
How. The hell. Did they pull this off? This feels like a Rocky scenario – get young and unready kids to play against a team just to boost their own stats. I’m wondering if the good folk from IMG Academy raised any questions. I admit, I did some googling and I came away scratching my head.
I am torn about the McKenzie Milton story. On the one hand i am beyond happy for him that he went above and beyond the walking without pain. I know motivation is a great factor to help one recover. On the other hand. Really? You’re going back to the game that almost finished you off? Like I said. Torn. Kudos to him!
I am so glad you felt the Peter Udabazi story was worth a heroes slot. I am always amazed at people like him. Of course he work for World Vision and of course he became a foster parent. These folks are made of special material. Angel on Earth.
Whitney Austin is something else! Good for her on refusing to play he victim card though, let’s face it, no one would criticize if she did. To turn what happened to her into a chance to help make a change. I think her approach is one that the governments should pay attention to.
Twenty years really flew by, didn’t it? We all remember where we were and what we were doing when this horrible Tuesday morning happened. First responders were and always be heroes.
I love that you started with a lost 3 year-old toddler and finished with a lost 15-year old dog. It’s amazing that they went through everything they did to pull Zoey to safety. Such a selfless act for a pet.
That video grabbed, nay clutched my heart. so powerful.
Perfect way to return after your hiatus.
Q
LikeLiked by 1 person
Q
You did a sensational job, as I knew you would.
Thankfully, Anthony was close to a body of water and so he was able to stay hydrated, which helped immensely.
Nobody cared, so long as the money was right. IMG is in the business of making money, and the rest of it be damned. So is ESPN, which long ago shed any semblance of a journalistic enterprise. And what’s worse, they blamed another company that was responsible for the booking. How sick.
I would have been a nervous wreck watching him play after what he had gone through. His family sure was. But hey, it was his goal and good for him. Amazing for him actually.
Yes, I do believe there are angels that walk among us. And Peter is definitely keeping company with them. These are the people who help us to make sense of a crazy world.
Whitney is such a strong individual. And to turn such a tragic and horrible event into this great good work . . what more can you say than bless her soul.
It doesn’t feel like twenty years.
And all those people who got involved, and never stopped. And all those uniforms who did whatever it took. Together, making a positive difference. It IS possible.
Thank you, mucho and mucho mas.
B
LikeLiked by 1 person
B,
You know, every time you ask me to fill in, I quiver in my boots for a few minutes before I dive in 🙂
I was wondering because that little fellow, had he not been close to water, would surely have succumbed to the elements.
It is SUCH a sick story all around. I still cannot believe they did this. Can you imagine if any of these kids had been injured?
You and me both and yes, it was his goal and what pushed him to get better so, what can we do but clap our hands and congratulate him?
Yes, Peter definitely is. Thank goodness for peeps like him. They help to weight the good side of the scale.
Oh my goodness yes. I don’t know that anyone else would have.
It doesn’t. It was like yesterday. We talk about what we were doing when we heard and we are immediately brought back there.
They truly are the veritable heroes.
It is my pleasure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah . . you made it seamless.
And yes, thank God he was near water or who knows what would have happened. That part of the world can be especially unforgiving when it comes to the elements.
Who cared? That’s why it is so sick.
I winced as I watched the plays because you just can’t help but feel as if he is courting danger on every play.
They do, don’t they?
Me either.
It doesn’t seem to matter how much time has gone by. It’s still right there, for every one of us who lived through that horrible day.
Here’s to em!
MUAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a great model to follow.
That is a really dry and tough part of the world to be lost in so yes… there was some sort of guardian angel watching over him.
Disgusting.
I bet! I think I would have been holding my breath.
Yes, (thank goodness)
🙂
No, it doesn’t. It still has that surreal feel about it, oddly.
Cheers!
MWAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Schtappp.
I also tend to think the kid made the time go by in a much more constructive way, seeing as how he is autistic. He probably played games with mundane objects and imagined all kinds of scenarios. Those guardian angels have a way about them.
Repulsive. It’s why I call it the four-letter network.
As for Milton, he had to get out there again for himself. Doesn’t mean the rest of us are going to feel comfortable about it.
Seriously
😉
And I think it always will.
MUAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope 😉
I bet he did. They don’t stress like we do. They don’t see all sorts of potential dangerous scenarios. I have a nephew on the spectrum and he sees life as just that.
It is. Glad I’ve never given them my time of day.
No. And we need to respect it.
Uh huh.
It will always.
MWAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And really, thank God for it because it serves as a defense mechanism against all manner of bad shit out there.
Good on you.
Seriously. The kid needed to do this and for that we applaud him.
Mmm Hmm
Always
MUAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it does. There is something to be said for not having the capacity to be mean and for accepting things as they are.
Course, I probably don’t even get the channel 😉
Yes.
Uh huh.
MWAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s less and less common, but it is still very much appreciated.
Haha!
MUAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is… and it is!
😉
MWAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
MUAH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😘😘😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
😘😘😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hard to believe it was 20 years ago. I wish I could say our country has pulled together in a good way since then. At least you find us some nice exceptions every week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really hard to believe it has been twenty years. I wish we COULD say that, but sadly, it seems to have driven a wedge even deeper.
But there is always the positive to find in the stories out there. The good can still win out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also like to take an optimistic view. Hard sometimes, though. I think I’m fortunate in the community I live in. There is a rural/non-rural “divide” but not animosity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t get the animosity. But it seems to prevail in way too many places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the lift. Zoey’s rescue especially hit home, living with a nearly-deaf old dog myself. Best, though, is Mr. Udabazi.Tell me, again, why we should bar immigrants from our shores?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s to everyone who kept on keeping on until Zoey was safe and sound. And as far a Peter is concerned, it seems the people who want to ban immigrants are better at making noise than they are at making a positive difference in the world.
LikeLike
Like everyone else Marc, I was changed that day. It is not a day I will ever forget. I collected the newspapers from that day, all of them but I have never read them. I can’t but I will keep them safe in plastic because we must never forget. I spent 30 years working for a police department and I saw the changes in their faces from day today. I could not do what they did, what they do. But I am so pleased first responders are the heroes they are, for all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pam, it’s a day that will always feel like it happened just now to the people who lived through it. I cannot imagine how our first responders carried on in the face of such a devastating loss, but they did.
Here’s to every hero.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The September 11th tribute stole my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever really get over it, and truthfully, never ever want to. I know you feel it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do, SB. It’s one of those days that always feels as if it just happened when you look back on it. Twenty years removed, but right there still.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said. Right there still.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your fill-in guests did a right bang up job, Marc! Kudos to you all. Today’s heros brought big smiles to my face and heart. And ESPN in it’s typical way did not disappoint. Jeez, what is wrong with those guys?? Happy weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They did Monika, they really did.
Here’s to all our heroes.
Salud!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless you too matw for inspiration big and small. Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mate, even. Must take these boxing gloves off when i type…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah, it’s more entertaining that way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blessings to you, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an excellent closing video
– and i watched both videos about Whitney Strong and powerful story! 12 bullets and no major organs or arteries
–
Thanks for a hero’s post and welcome back
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was needed, I thought. That iconic moment from WW2 being replicated, without them having tried to. The symbolism is humbling to me.
Whitney’s life is a miracle, from that day forward. And she is making the very most of it with her great good work.
Muchas gracias hermana.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person