Pittsburgh Penguins - A Lot On My Plate

Let me start with a story.

Back in 1972 there was a shy, asthmatic young man who didn't have many friends at school. He was bullied constantly and at times simply just didn't want to go to school. He was an average student on most subjects but excelled in history. One evening in the fall his father asked him if he wanted to do something he had never done before - go to a hockey game. He obliged his father and when he got there he fell in love with the sport of ice hockey.

That shy, asthmatic young man was me.

I loved the Steelers and Pirates but had a passion about the Penguins like none other. I would listen to Mike Lange on the radio staying up for games on the west coast. I would watch the 10 or so games that we were fortunate to get on television and remember Sam Nover doing the play by play. The NHL rulebook was on my night stand and I studied it like a text book.

In 1975 dad took me to my first playoffs. We unfortunately witnessed the Penguins being one of the rare teams going up 3 game to none in a series only to lose four in a row. But it was my first taste of the playoffs and I was hooked.

The Penguins fell into mediocrity and had quite a bit of adversity until this young French Canadian took the city of Pittsburgh and the NHL by storm name Mario Lemieux. Words are so inadequate to describe how he played. Unfortunately I was limited  to what I was able to watch at sports bars with satellite television as I was living in Columbus Ohio at the time.

After the first two Stanley Cup wins, I thought they would be a dynasty. Unfortunately that would not be the case. Mario retired. Jagr was gone. Once again mediocrity reared it's ugly head and the Penguins were not very good. So "not very good" that there were able to get some great draft picks. Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, and in 2005 a kid from Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia named Sidney Crosby. It only took three years and the Penguins were back in the Stanley Cup Finals losing a heartbreaker to the Detroit Red Wings. 

In 2009 I was blessed to be able to go to all but two home playoff games that year and took my son Will to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals that year. We had a Game 7 party in my apartment and watched the Penguins win the Stanly Cup only a few short months after the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

Close-up Of Sidney Crosby During The 2009 Stanley Cup Champions Parade

My father passed away in 2007, I got divorced in 2008, and was laid off from a job that I had for fourteen years.

A lot on my plate.

Through a lot of prayer, counseling, and God's love I made my way out of the valley and back up the mountain. God had told me that a job and relationship would go hand in hand.

I can tell you that 2011 was a breakthrough year for me. Starting out with attending the Winter Classic and then shortly after I met and married the love of my life and a few months latter found a job. I was bursting at the seams with gratefulness to God.

First Picture Together

Mom was having issues with balance and we had to make the decision to sell the house and move her down here to Tampa. My wife was a gem with her. She took her to doctors appointments and got her hair done. They got to know and love one another. My mother remarked to me how special Valerie is and said I was blessed.

This end all too soon as my had mother had to have emergency surgery in early August 2013 but unfortunately passed away on August 31, 2013. We had a beautiful memorial service for her in Pittsburgh and laid he to rest next to dad.

A lot on my plate.

My sons made the decision to move to Florida in 2014 and we were blessed to be able to help them do so. We had them live with us for a year before they found a apartment close to both of their jobs. With Valerie's assistance both Will and Peter were able to secure good jobs.

Valerie and I enjoyed having them over not only for Steeler game but family celebrations including Christmas. Non was more joyous than last Christmas as they spent the entire day here. Gifts, good food, movies, and laughs were the order of the day.

About a month ago Will informed me that he was offered a manager's position with his company - but that was back in Columbus, Ohio. Always happy when you children succeed and do well. But really pulling on the heartstrings as it won't be a 15 minute trip to see them but a two hour flight to Columbus.

A lot on my plate.

About three weeks ago I started having some acid reflux issues. I took Nexum as I always had before. No effect this time. I went to my doctor and he upped the dosage. Still no effect. I cut out a ton of items that I ate and drank but that wasn't helping either. My doctor order a abdominal ultra sound and a HIDA scan to check out my gall bladder. The ultrasound came back fine only showing a fatty liver that both my doctor and I were already aware of. The HIDA scan showed a EF of only 6% were 35% and up is normal. It was recommended by my doctor's office to schedule and appointment with a surgeon to discuss removing my gall bladder.  

A lot on my plate.

2016 Stanley Cup Finals

In 2016 Valerie and I were blessed to be able to go to the Stanly Cup Finals in Pittsburgh. She knows my passion for the Penguins and where it all started. We went down to (now PPG Paints Arena) the morning of the game. It was a hotbed of activity all over the outside of the arena and inside by the team store. We picked up our tickets a few shirts, and went back to our hotel to rest for the afternoon. Then after a great meal at Burgatory went to Game 1. What a thrill ! One of my very favorite games I had ever been to in person !

The other night the Penguins just clinched their second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals winning a thrilling Game 7 in double overtime with Chris Kunitz scoring the winning goal. I leapt out of my chair and could not contain myself ! I squealed with delight !

By the next morning the realization that due to finances we would not be able to go to Pittsburgh for a Finals game this year hit. And it hit hard.

We are going to save for the possibility next year. But as I told my wife your never know when it will come around again. 2009 to 2016 was a long wait. And the Penguins had a some great teams during those years.

My sons moving.

My possible surgery.

Not being able to go up for a Stanley Cup Finals game.

A lot on my plate.

Before I finish I want to make several things very clear. I was very grateful for the time we had with my mother down here before she passed. It goes without saying we were so thankful for Will and Peter being down here for three years. And the opportunity we had last year to see the Finals in Pittsburgh was incredible.

Re-read the first few paragraphs again. You see the Pittsburgh Penguins are what gave this shy 14 year old asthmatic bullied kid hope. Got him excited and not worrying about being bullied but looking forward to the next game. Keeping his ear glued to listen to Mike Lange call the games. The Pittsburgh Penguins are a part of who I am.

I would covet your prayers for:

Will and Peter for a safe move, that they can secure a place to live, that Peter can quickly find a good job, and they can get settled quickly. Pray for Valerie and I as it will be a huge adjustment for both of us.

My appointment with my primary care physician is Tuesday and the surgeon on Wednesday. Pray we can ask all the right questions of both doctors

and if I have to have surgery that it can be done outpatient via laparoscopy with a quick recovery.

Yeah the not going to the Finals this year as well. Just for your peace and that I can enjoy the games at home with my sons (before they move) and my wife. And to plan for next year - wouldn't that be something ?

Numbers 6:24-26New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’