Saturday, October 26, 2013

Paradox Sports.... Become a Member

English: El Capitan in Yosemite National Park ...
English: El Capitan in Yosemite National Park viewed from the Valley Floor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The other night I had the pleasure of going to an event.  Not just any event but one that made me laugh and cry and feel an immense amount of pride for some hometown homies.  The O’Neill family is a family that The Hub grew up with.  He was often considered the darkest O’Neill as he spent a vast amount of his childhood in the O’Neill household and The Hub’s Italian heritage was evident among their Irish-ness.   I did not meet the O’Neill’s until I was in High School.  My best friend was their neighbor and also an honorary O’Neill.  Although she blended much better.  When I first entered their home, I was teased and ridiculed and tormented and never felt more loved.  Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill have 7 children.  I love all of them.    All the O’Neill’s are extraordinary in their own right, but the two who had the event are Timmy and Sean. 



They have done and are doing some amazing things.  Timmy is a world famous rock climber.  He has been climbing for over 20 years.  Sean is also a rock climber and a T12 paraplegic.  They came back home for a visit to talk about their adventures of climbing El Capitan, -a THREE THOUSAND foot rock in Yosemite National Park- and Timmy’s non-profit called Paradox Sports.  Timmy is the co-founder and Executive Director of Paradox Sports.  Check out the website.  Their Mission: Paradox Sports provides inspiration, opportunities and adaptive equipment to the disabled community, empowering their pursuit of a life of excellence through human-powered outdoor sports. - See more at: http://paradoxsports.org/our-mission/#sthash.plW2owka.dpuf.   



Inspired in part by Sean, they create equipment and training for people with limited abilities to do what most of us would never even try.  Timmy has worked with countless disabled veterans, accident victims and those disabled from childhood, to climb rocks, kayak rivers, ski mountains, hike trails, ride mountain bikes and surf waves.  Their fearlessness and strength show us that we are all capable of whatever we set our minds to.  

Timmy and Sean gave a slide presentation of their adventures, including their major accomplishments, like Sean being the FIRST ever T12 paraplegic to lead a climb.  Timmy is a performer in the most universal sense of the word.  His fast paced and very funny part of the presentation juxtaposed with Sean’s very cerebral, pensive and dry sense of humor,  made the night flow.  It was heartwarming to see all the O’Neill’s, (Mr., Mrs., all their kids and grandkids, not to mention the honorary members and their kids.)  This group of people who I feel so blessed to know is the epitome of the word family.  If there is a problem or heartache or joy or blessing to be celebrated I know that each and every one them will be there as I would be for them.  

Here is the best news.  YOU can be a part of it too.  Look at the website. Read about Timmy and Sean and all the other amazing individuals involved in Paradox Sports.  With just a small donation to help this wonderful cause YOU CAN BE A MEMBER.  http://paradoxsports.org/donate-now/#sthash.hAQPizPe.dpbs.   When you become a member you will get a hand written note from the famous Timmy O’Neill himself.   That in and of itself is worth it, but the fact that it will also help veterans who have given so much for our country along with other’s who’s dreams can be realized makes it that much more sweet.  








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Monday, October 14, 2013

For Sale by Owner, Magic included.


For Sale:

A Warm Loving Home with a side of Magic

This is no normal home.  This is a magical and wonderful place.  It belongs to my MiMom.  She and my PopPop bought this home and watched it be built in 1948. 
They were newly married, living in an apartment in South Philadelphia and had a bouncing baby boy (my father.)  Their families were surprised and worried that they were moving so far away, going all the way to this new development in Drexel Hill. Although, they were able to convince my PopPop’s brother and his new wife to move in to the twin house attached to theirs.  My great-grandfather, Pop Otto, was there to solicit his “advise,” in broken English, to the builders and to whomever would listen.  Although he spent a lot of time saying, “Waassa matta, youa no undastan de ingleesh?” 

Pop Otto 

When they moved in, after settlement they only had about $11.00 left for the month.  Therefore the celebratory dinner that they were going to have, had to be a modest one. Pop Otto (MiMom’s Dad) got to work along with my PopPop (his son-in-law) to custom build the corner china cabinets and wooden valances on every window, along with the trim woodwork and moldings.  My PopPop was very proud of the spiel he added onto the bottom of the banister.  This was a wonderful home of a hard working couple who raised two sons.  

Super Powers
The home did not start showing signs of it’s enchantment until the early 70s.  I don’t remember the first time I was brought to the home, since I was a baby but all my memories of this home are hard to be believed.  The magic happens the minute you step in the door.  Whenever I walked in, I was instantly transformed into “pretty-girl” and “princess.”  When there in the home, I could do no wrong, no matter how hard I tried.  In this house, my PopPop who was a strong disciplinarian with his own boys became the most kind-hearted and jolly man I knew.  He also thought I was the prettiest girl in the world and hung on my every word.  My MiMom who was a notoriously busy woman always had time to tell me stories and let me bake and cook with her.  She always wanted me there.  That is part of the alchemy, when you are there you are always wanted.  You are always accepted and you are never turned away.  The magic this home possessed is still there today.
MiMom and her Princess in front of china cabinet 
PopPop and his Pretty Girl

Thinking that I was the only one that experienced the home’s power, I spoke with my cousin, second cousins and brother.  They TOO felt the forces of this home.  When you sit and eat there in the formal dining room, and people start yelling and screaming, the house does it’s work and everyone is hugging and kissing before they leave.  

Great house for Parties.
It doesn’t stop there. When sleeping in one of the 3 bedrooms of this house, it is the warmest and comfiest you will ever feel.  When you wake in this home and run down the stairs you are always greeted as though you have not been seen in ages and the care and concern for how you slept is evident. 

 When lounging in the living room watching tv you can easily look out the enclosed porch and see all that is going on in the neighborhood, but the house may make you go to the porch door and stand there with it partially opened while leaning out to make sure everyone in the neighborhood is behaving.  

 The basement of this home has seen many parties and celebrations, not to mention a perfect getaway for kids who need to play and not disrupt the adults. The basement leads to a driveway and a garage that saw, teenage boys build their very own boat. It also has a workbench that was used by my PopPop, to keep the house always looking it’s best.  

 The kitchen is where you will find the most bewitchment happen.  There is where the best food in the world is made with meticulous care and attention to detail.  It is in that kitchen, sitting around the table, stories will be passed on and gossip will be told and embellishments will be made.  It is at that same table where you will learn how difficult it is to make a Gianetti cookie, especially because you are never given the exact ingredients.  This kitchen table and the dining room table is where all the most important discussions will be made and where decisions will be finalized.  
Notice custom wooden valance

Notice the custom made banister
So now that my PopPop has passed on, almost 4 years ago now, and my MiMom is approaching her 94th year, it is time to pass this magical house onto another hard working family.  The magic is there.  I can vouch for it.  I still experience it when I walk through the front door.  Apparently it has doubled since my boys were born as the 5th generation has been enchanted by this home. 

5th generation to enjoy this fine home.  
This house is for sale.  But as you can see, this is no normal house.  It contains amazing powers.  There is no extra charge for the magic.  Yes, it may need a little bit of work in the bathroom and kitchen.  Yes, the finished basement, may need some tlc.  But this home, this mystical place,  is a true gem.  It is where you can make the same types of memories that fuel the magic of this house.  You can purchase this home and become transformed.  It will be the best investment you have ever made.  

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