Highlights of December 19 Meeting

 

 

Warren Williamson led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Exavier King offered the invocation.  Ray Smith shared some information about the Salvation Army "theme song" - Silver Bells before leading everyone in singing it together.

 

 

 

 

President Jay spoke about the wonderful service delivered by our regular server, Liz.  He also voiced appreciation for the delicious food prepared each week by Chef Brandon, especially noting about how it seems to always be able to stretch to meet the needs those weeks when more members and guest show up than anticipated.  He thanked Amy Ortiz, who we communicate with about any special needs or scheduling changes we might have.  He gave each of them a gift card to tangibly show our appreciation.

 

 

Paul began his presentation stating he feels like he should be best-known as Natalie's Dad.  He said he might also describe himself as a "professional dabbler."  He is a lover of the outdoors.  He is a six-time triathlete.   A Triathlon is an event involving a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon run. He has participated in races and climbing mountains.  He now lives in Arizona.  He has hiked the Grand Canyon - the longitudinal walk, enjoying many adventures.

 

Paul said when he was in his 20's, if someone asked how he was, the answer was "fine" and might involve some small talk before moving on.

 

He now describes himself as an "Iron Dad."  He is a cancer survivor who discovered strength, life and love through fatherhood.  He has adopted Ray Kinsella's mantra "If you dream the impossible, the incredible can come true."

 

Paul shared some facts from his early life.  When he was nine, his dad took a yellow sheet of paper and told Paul and his sister:  "Your mama is too stressed taking care of you kids, and I'm busy working.  From now on, make your own food, get ready for school, and be in charge of yourself."  He said for the next few years he was beat up and bullied regularly.  His dad told him to punch those bullies in the mouth.  Paul later learned his dad was living a dual life.  His mom was getting more and more bitter.  When he was about 13, she told him that before he was born, their marriage was an 8.  After he was born, the marriage was a 3.  After he was a teenager, the marriage was a zero.  "If I am ever slowly dying, just put a pillow over my face."  Consequently, dating was heard for Paul.  His college sweetheart died in a tragedy.  

 

As a young man living in Seattle, he had an "awesome life" where he and his buddy would go to a pub.  The owner would make blueberry pancakes and bacon.  One morning when they were there having breakfast, a group came in after a 5K.  While sitting there, he and his buddy asked "Who do you think could win a 5K between the two of us?"  For the next two months, Paul went down to the waterfront and ran a little further each day.  Racing became his jam.  His first 5K took 25 minutes, 22 seconds - an eight-minute mile.  A woman handed him a flyer and said "You can do better."  It spurred him on.  He went from 5K to 10K.  A few months later, in Portland where there were lots of trees, it was very wet.  He say arches and thought it was the finish, but it was actually the finish for a 5K held earlier in the day.  He had to go another 250 yards to the left.  He made it.

 

He hiked Mt Ranier.  He said you do most of the hiking at night to avoid rock slides caused when the ice is melting.  He could barely see his guide.  The guide started hovering as they slowly crossed a ladder crossing over a chasm.  He had no choice but to make the crossing himself.  He didn't celebrate.  He was just glad to be done.

 

Paul had found his jam.  He was living the dream.  He met his Laurel.  Both were in their late 30's.  They were wondering if they wanted a child.  Just as they were discovering they liked each other, Pdaul's dad died.  Laurel was there for him through some of his life's most difficult moments.  He also finished his first triathlon.  They got engaged at the top of the Empire State Building.  They survived a forest fire in Costa Rica.  In 2008-09, the economy was awful.  Both lost their jobs and went into the donut business in the summer.  Donuts do well in spring, but not in summer.  They found out they were prenant.  He experienced wonder, joy and excitement to an extent he hadn't realized possible.  Natalie was born February - the day before his father's birthday.  The day she was born, he said he loved her more times than he remembered his dad telling him in his whole life.  He walked and walked with her in his arms in the nursery.  He counted the steps.  At 22,000 steps, she had her first half marathon the day she was born.

 

When Natalie was 2.5, he was running a race.  Near the finish line, he heard Natalie ask why he was running in his pj's.  He picked her up and ran across the finish line with her in his arms.

 

Paul had a great job in Portland.  Natalie was three years old.  Paul's health started to deteriorate.  He saw blood when he went to the bathroom.  Because of his high level of fitness, and his age, doctors weren't taking the problem seriously.   Paul urged members to pursue getting needed answers when related to their health.  He had a colonoscopy, saying it was the "best nap of his life."  They found a mass.  His imagination added "You have cancer."  He thought the worst and wanted to start treatment right away.  He was talking to surgeons the next day.  The tumor was the size of his fish- almost a 100% blockage.  There were other suspicious marks on other organs.  They first had to shrink the tumor with radiation, then he had six months of chemotherapy.  He actively used wholistic, herbs, nutrition.  When a body is active and energized, it can fight more.

 

Six months after treatment, he did an iron man event.  He wanted to make sure his kid saw him.  He ran a lot more races - for his kid.

 

Now, he is 11-years cancer-free.  It took them nine years to say he was cancer-free.

 

Natalie is a great young woman.  She is 14.  She goes to Tempe Prep.  She is a part of his story.  She is training for her next 5K.