*Anchors Aweigh ~~~~ Run Another Day*

Mahatma Gandhi, in all his infinite wisdom, once said: 

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean
does not become dirty!"

If ever you're seeking a faith-restoring day, spend just a little while cheering on the runners along the course of the Falmouth Road Race!  

*~> Courtney's FaLmouth FUNdraiser <~*

She'll be ~gliding~ along the Ocean with Team Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts again this year! 

          >{Kind of crazy that her first Falmouth was way     

                                                             back in 2O12}<

A lot has changed since then; but so much 

   remains the same.      

The necessity for advocacy, the seeking of resources for
TBI Survivors and their formidable families.      

 

We always anticipate seeing ^those^ genuine gentlemen at the Expo, and seeing the rest of *TEAMHOYT* fearlessly roll&run throughout the entirety of that seaside escape!!

Country-duo, Brooks&Dunn, articulate it best in their "anthem":

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  Only in America

Dreamin' in red white and blue

Only in America

Where we dream as big as we want to

We all get a chance

Everybody gets to dance

Only in America

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

}*CHiP~CHiP~CHeeRiO*{

<3 ~*VaLentine's Day*~ <3 

It may have been a month ago, but I feel as though I'll consider it one of my favorites for quite some time!!

Volunteering and learning down at MiLfordTV, going-on ~5months now has been fulfilling and fun. *In the Biz*, we Reporters have different *Beats*; mine now being the Senior Center right up the road. I am grateful for this, especially since I consider myself to be an "Old-SouL"!! 

The highlight of last month was certainly their *VaLentine's~Tea~Party*, which really "bridged-the-gap" between generations; Milford High's String Quartet provided the marvelous music, while Blackstone Valley Tech's Culinary Students concocted,
and served tasty treats!!!

Tally~Ho, Off We Go ---> EnJoY the *SHOW* !!!

Individually Unique ~~~~ Together Complete

~*~Friday Night at the Movies~*~

In true >LiON< fashion, our Midwinter Conference
did not disappoint! More than 250 individuals, representing over 40 Lions Clubs in Massachusetts, came out in support & camaraderie ~ united by our passion, fidelity to purpose, and genuine spirits.

   


                                                

                                                                             

We were reminded just how much of an impact our
"little-district" has, not just within our local communities, but WORLDWiDE. 

Another special-aspect of the Weekend was the young people who were selected to represent our District in the
{*~>Lions Peace-Poster Contest<~*} 

This art contest hoped to encourage young people worldwide to express their visions of peace. 

~~{It is was our sincere hope that Students took this opportunity, not only to illustrate their ideas and optimisms, but also to showcase what could be accomplished if we all spent an extra moment to
BE KIND!}~~ 

Now, the weekend wasn't all "just about business".
Our Club took the theme to the next level, using the most well-known part of our town to take our costumes to the *next~level* 

"It's the Ocean, silly. We're not the only two in here!!"

~Dory, remarking to MarLin,
as they begin their search for Nemo~

  
Isn't that quite a remarkable reminder for us all?
Certainly, it swims in-sync with what we LiONS do, all across the World!! 

*~>Sweet Serendipity<~*

Athol-Royalston Regional

... A School-District setting the standards by which all learning-environments here in the Commonwealth should be measured by. 

We at the Brain Injury Association of MA continuously make it our mission to venture to schools all throughout the State, trying to spread knowledge, resources, and awareness.  It is so fulfilling when communities are not only receptive, but also quite inviting. From the moment we checked-in at the main office, to our first steps onto that gymnasium floor, all attention was placed on our presentation!

Such a reflection on those Teachers, Administrators, and Parents!! Our program was split-up between the grades. 

  I must say that one of the best parts of the whole day was being introduced to, and learning of ^that^ young man's story of survival.  It's not often that we encounter another "Child+MamaBeaR" duo who get it. Another thing we have in common? 

-_> WCVB <_-

{Teen returns home for Thanksgiving after months of rehab}

Javan Fox is his name, being a Strong Survivor is his game!! 

I've said this before, but it's worth repeating now:

Schools, Communities, Humans ~~~

Brain-Injuries do not discriminate.
They can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone.
Our Programs have proven, time&time again, that just basic knowledge of this invisible injury does in fact lead to decreased risk of them occurring!!

-_*> Quicker than a FiSH ~~ Stronger than an ANCHOR <*_-

Not just one of the best women's soccer-players, but also one of the best athletes ~~~ Mia Hamm once advised:

“Take your victories, whatever they may be; cherish them, use them ... but don't settle for them!"

For more than half a decade now, my sissy has participated in the prettiest road-race in these parts: FALMOUTH!! 

Taking the phrase, "run for a cause, not for applause" to heart, her training & fundraising efforts have always made 

me quite proud.
 

SPAULDiNG: the location where I spent the Summer of 2O10, re-learning how to chew
and brush my teeth, sit&stand, take steps.  

Also the place where my family&I were introduced to a lifelong-friend, in my roomie *SaLLy Beach*!

          Escaping to the Cape is always my favorite trip to take: family, friends, and fishies ...

Surely couldn't think of a better location to enjoy a gorgeous day, being inspired by all of the runners & wheelers!!

At the Friday-night Expo, we were lucky enough to see the *pinnacle* of ~INSPIRATION~ in Dick&Rick Hoyt.

{I always anxiously anticipate seeing this dynamic-duo; can't ya tell
in my "cheesy-grin"?!}

Race-day came around, and MotherNature was behaving perfectly for all the participants! 

"The distance is nothing.
It is only the first step that is difficult!"

Run for a CAUSE ~~~ Not for APPLAUSE

*Borrowing* this tale straight from 
Falmouth Road Race's website: 

"Tommy Leonard was a bartender from Boston who was working at the Brothers Four. He was into running before running was in ... He concocted a recipe that included one part sporting spectacle, one part festive family outing and a dash of sun, sea, and splash. 

Shake rattle and roll and presto- you have the Falmouth Road Race, a star-spangled celebration of red-hot competition and fun-in-the-sun holiday atmosphere in one of the most picturesque towns on Cape Cod!"



Now, The Cape has always been a special place for me.
I grew-up down there, with nearly my entire extended family on mom's side permanently residing in&around Dennis! So much more than just a "Summer-Escape"
... it's home, the one place that just feels right ...

..  it all started back in 2O12  ..
~ The BIA-MA's first time running. And then, sort of became our annual-tradition to start getting "amped-up" for that beautiful course, and opportunity to purposefully raise a lot of money!

Sissy's back at it again; except this year... she'll be running as a member of Spaulding's Race for Rehab Team! 

Courtney Farrell's FALMOUTH_page

Like she used to prod me {just to get me talking} back when
I was rehabbing at Spaulding: "Who's better than you, Kid?!"
to which I'd reply {not too forcefully, as the tracheotomy
had just been removed}: "NO ONE!!!!" 

Let's show to everyone that no one can be better Supporters than US!