Get Ready for This One:
 

I'll try to channel my inner Josiah Viera when I start to complain about ANYTHING.


http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/...e-rare-disease

Yeah man. We live in a world of absolutely amazing and humbling heroes. I often get thanked or treated with a higher level of respect for my military service. When I was strapped to the gills with the latest and greatest technology going into old western gunfights I would always be humbled by a child enduring so much more. Or a parent dealing with a life nobody should endure. Sitting here fully aware that I am not shit in many ways. Keeping faith in humanity and their strengths is integral. You can't just ride theough this life as a fat pud. Not when we're in the presence of Viera's.

Wow my new idol

This poem gave me great comfort when we lost my brother. I find very fitting for this young man.


Away


I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead- . He is just away!

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land,

And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you- O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return- ,

Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;

And loyal still, as he gave the blows
Of his warrior-strength to his country's foes- .

Mild and gentle, as he was brave- ,
When the sweetest love of his life he gave

To simple things- : Where the violets grew
Blue as the eyes they were likened to,

The touches of his hands have strayed
As reverently as his lips have prayed:

When the little brown thrush that harshly chirred
Was dear to him as the mocking-bird;

And he pitied as much as a man in pain
A writhing honey-bee wet with rain- .

Think of him still as the same, I say:
He is not dead- he is just away!

by James Whitcomb Riley

There was a young man in the Boston area who also suffered from that rare disorder and passed away a few years back. He touched many lives with his spirit. There just are no words.

https://www.cnn.com/2014/01/11/us/pr...ies/index.html

This definitely puts my trivial problems into perspective.

Just read this!
 

I literally read the story about him on espn.com ten minutes ago before coming over to the board to see what was being posted tonight. I was certainly inspired and touched by this young man's love of life. I had already had a wonderful Christmas with my Lord at mass this morning, my wife and children's opening of gifts in the late morning, Christmas lunch with my parents, and then the rest of the day with extended family at the in-laws. I thought I had lived the perfect day until I read this story and had tears in my eyes as I read it......and then I remembered what Jimmy V said in his speech.....that everyone has a perfect day if they smile a little, laugh a little , and cry a little each day.....so now I have had the perfect day thanks to this young, great man who has passed on too soon. May he rest in peace.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
I hope your day has been as special as mine.
Tim Kindler

Amen, Tim. Well said, RIP little man....

Josiah Viera was well known throughout Cardinals Nation. He was at many spring training games and went to Busch Stadium several times as well. He handed in the lineup card before a Cardinals game. He was an inspiration to thousands. Josiah has a baseball card in the State College Spikes sets from 2015 to 2018 as well.