About me

Lorenzo, Brett & Madison

These are my kids. They are one of the driving forces behind my motivation to fight. Each one is special. They help me remember what it is like to experience events for the first time and also remind me that perfection can be messy hair, mismatched socks, a backward t-shirt or a made up song that you sing as though you were a Disney character. I am very lucky to have them in my care. God knew I was not ready to have them all at once, so I am sure now that He did me a favor. Even though I was sure I was in control.

Jeff is my rock and the foundation of my support. He supports me and my obsessions like NFL, MLB, running, yoga and my affinity for 350+ thread count sheets and super-lush bath towels (Vera Wang and Ralph Lauren). He is my personal technology guy and helps me get the Internet connection back online whenever I am freaking out. We have endured many challenges and a couple of career changes. He encouraged and supported me to go back to school and get my degree...and I got two of them. I can count on him when things get crappy and he is quick to point out the obvious when I am unable to see. Then we both get a laugh (him probably more than me).

My parents are close and my brother lives in Illinois. We text on occasion, so we know he's not snowed :) My extended family is so large. Growing up, there were always aunts, uncles and cousins around. We were lucky to have most of them close by. One memory that sticks out for me is the summer I turned 12, we were lucky to go visit our cousins in Hawaii. What a fantastic time! I remember the sites, sounds and the terrible smell of the pineapple fields. Yes, I thought they smelled terrible. What did I know? I was 12 and didn't have an affinity for pineapple. Then when we were almost out of high school, my parents took us to California for spring break. We spent a few days at Disney and roaming the coastline. Ate lunch at Marina Del Ray. Visited Pepperdine University. Wow, I was wishing big on a Malibu college education. Then holidays were always times for everyone to come together. Easter was my favorite. My grandma always had a tray of eggs for the kids to pick from. They were special because she would stuff them with money. What kid over the age of 6 wouldn't think that was cool? Sure, we know the holiday is more about Jesus' Resurrection, but I was ready for the hunt and the tray of eggs.

I am lucky to have a large group of people that I call friend. Few of them I have known all my life. Some I have known forever. And others I recently met that make me feel like we were supposed to meet and share on this unique journey. My friends are from all walks of life - they are doctors, nurses, attorneys, engineers, film makers, picture takers, professional mommies, technology specialists, artists, educators, bakers, mailmen, hospitality managers, CxOs, and ranchers. The list is longer but you get the picture. These people were true enough for me to call friend and not just co-worker or team member. I have stories that would shock you - like one night we had scooter races in a brand new building while waiting for a software update to happen. I would have one my leg of the race had I not run into the wall and crack off a piece of the dry wall. Others were there by my side when we watched the horrific day of our time, 9/11. We watched in horror as the second plane crashed into the building and were more terrified when someone in the room said, "My brother works there and I cannot get him on the phone." I never heard a rather rowdy bunch of people get so quiet. My parents' generation had JFK and mine was 9/11. The people that stood with me shoulder to shoulder are the same people I call friend and hug them like they are my family. 

You are reading this and are probably one of these people I described. I know that I can call, text or email you any time and we can pick up like it was yesterday when we last spoke. When I contacted you to let you know what was going on with me, I could feel you standing next to me holding on to give me support. I will survive and live on because I am too stubborn and strong willed to lose. Remember, I am prepared to go the distance and win the best of 7 games like the World Series. I am the home team and will get the last at bat. So watch out, I am swinging for the fences.