I don’t know if God is a sports fan or not, but I do know this: He loves a good comeback. ~Lane Kiffin
For me, one of the best things about March is March Madness. For the past few years I have become a big fan of Iowa women’s basketball team. If you are like me, you know the name Caitlyn Clark.
Yesterday was the Big Ten Championship game between Nebraska and Iowa. The last time these two teams played, Nebraska won. Yesterday, Nebraska nearly beat them again.
As the game went into overtime, I don’t think I’d ever seen so many anxious fans in the stands. I was pacing around my living room, wringing my hands, reminding myself of the first time I watched, The Wizard of Oz, and the Wicked Witch sent the flying monkeys out to get Dorothy. My heart raced as I watched these young women play.
Everyone on the court looked exhausted but no one was giving up. Caitlyn struggled and her teammates picked up the slack. The teamwork demonstrated and their support of each other was a lesson for everyone watching. Both teams were great examples of sportsmanship and grace. The relationship between both coaching staffs and players was what everyone would hope to see. I was proud to be from the Midwest.
Afer the game ended, I knew I had a picture of one of my favorite Hawkeye Fans. I wanted to use his picture for this blog.
Dr. Gerald Vandervelde was the program director of the radiology program I attended. He would be the closest thing to a coach I’d have in my life. He taught me to persevere and to be accountable. There were some days I would try to convence him that the films I’d taken were the best possible. No. He’d send me back with the words, this will build character. Years later I would suggest he did indeed help me become quite a chararcter.
His lessons were varied and not always pertaining to medicine. The one that echoes in my head almost daily is the advice to not use the word “got” unless you got to.
Whenever Dr. Van was in the department my “teammates” and I knew things would work okay. Just like the game on Sunday, there would be some rough patches but we would all get through. He was our calm spot in any storm.
Dr. Van passed away this past October. The picture included in this post was taken by his wife, Joan, shortly before he died. Thank you, Joan, for allowing me to share and honor him.
“You only lose when you stop trying.“
Anoynmous
Peace.
B...simply being... 