It’s been so long since I’ve updated. Here are some highlights –
My brother from West Point finished his 3 week training course in urban warfare and several other categories spending nights in fox-holes and mortar attacks. For that reason alone when he flew out to San Diego we had reason to celebrate. We spent 2 weeks driving up the West coast. From San Diego we went to Los Angeles, Malibu, and stayed in Point Mugu (Navy Base north of Malibu) and then continued on to Monterey seeing Julia Pfeiffer State Park (AWESOME!!) and staying over in San Jose, CA. We continued on for the next two weeks going to Crater Lake, Oregon Coast, Coos Bay, Lincoln City, Tukwila, and Seattle. We flew home from Seattle but I must say, I saw the most incredible scenery ever for those two weeks. It was really one of the best experiences of my life. Pictures are coming soon (I have to find the best out of 2,900 of them! Haha).
SMG is continuing its growth bringing on new projects and opportunities. I am working on an amazing assessment for corporate leadership to discover how much their people’s mindset affects the outcomes of their efforts. Until now, the minds influence on sales, operations, and business development has been fairly hidden when it’s been a major element for a long time. I have had some personal breakthroughs that have helped me reach new levels of achievement and someday I hope to lay out these changes for you to read.
The Miracle Party is going perfect. I was so lucky (I seem to have a lot of these moments in my life) to get to be in the Studio at 107.1 recording a 30 minute PSA for the MP with Kennedy (OH MAN, Love this girl), Julie, Stacy, Allison, and Krystal (my new DJ friend from 107.1, GREAT GIRL!). Kennedy broke my heart sharing her perspective of her journey with Cancer, and Julie made me tear up talking about her journey with Kayla. I am just so glad to know these people.
San Diego has been hitting new lows lately (temperature wise) and I must say, it needs to stop! LOL I moved here for the weather number one. I am hopefully going to get some beach time in this weekend before heading out next week to Denver again. This time my roommate and I are going to drive. We are attending my bother Jason’s wedding! It’s time to make history with the most unique wedding ever!
Well this is about it. Until next time!
~ J
by ~ J on Wednesday August 18, 2010
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Amanda Peebles, my friend passed away at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado on August 14, 2010 at 6:45 PM. I’m sure over time I will be able to write more details about my experiences and feelings about this. For now, I am posting services information for her viewing and Memorial Service. Please keep her family in your prayers. Visitation: Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Time: 5 pm - 9 pm
Where: Rundus Funeral Home
1998 West 10th Avenue
Broomfield, CO 80020
Memorial Service: Date: Friday, August 20, 2010
Time: 1 pm
Where: Broomfield United Methodist Church
545 West 10th Avenue
Broomfield, CO 80020
Graveside Service: Date: Friday, August 20, 2010
Time: 2 pm
Where: Broomfield County Commons Cemetary
9th and Sheridan Blvd.
Broomfield, CO 80020
Reception: Date: Friday, August 20, 2010
Time: 3 pm
Where: Broomfield United Methodist Church
545 West 10th Avenue
Broomfield, CO 80020
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the following organizations. All are 501-(c)3 organizations registered with the IRS wherein donations are tax exempt for the donors. Make payable to and mail to:
"PEEBLES FAMILY FUND / THERE WITH CARE"
c/o There With Care
Attn. Paula DuPre' Pesman
4949 North Broadway
Suite 124
Boulder, CO 80304
www.therewithcare.org
303-447-2273
"ANGELS FOR AMANDA"
c/o Coors Credit Union
816 Washington Avenue Golden, CO 80401
The family appreciates your concern and support during these difficult times. There home address is 377 Oak Lane Broomfield, CO 80020
by ~J on Thursday July 08, 2010
1 comments
My emotions are heavy during this update. It’s been a great month, don’t get me wrong. However, recently one of my closest friends, a childhood cancer patient, Amanda Peebles has been in the hospital and has been in the worst shape. I am torn – I love this girl so much, we’ve had so many great times. I see what she faces daily and I hurt for her, it’s not fair. I realize that it’s her choice to continue her battle or choose to leave this earth for a higher power and ultimately pain free. I was very lucky to have talked to hear daily for almost two weeks prior to her recent hospitalization, including many conversations at wee hours of the morning. I almost feel as if Amanda is partially my daughter. I can’t even tell you how much it hurts to experience this, but I love every minute of being close to her. I am working on getting back to Denver to see her next week and I pray that I can see her again despite her recent health conditions. This is new to me; I’ve gotten close with patients before but never this close. In every way, I thank God for it and I really wouldn’t have it any other way. But that does not make it any easier. Knowing Amanda has given me a perspective on life that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Thanks to Stacy Moriarty (Founder of the Miracle Party) I was introduced to her and it’s been such a great divine experience. However, this is the first time I’ve found myself hurting so much emotionally. I love this girl and I will do whatever I can for her, she knows this and this is why we are so close. I want the best for her, the very fact that this might mean she leaves this earth is so emotionally wrecking, but ultimately her decision. I support her completely and I am prepared to do whatever I have to; I guess that’s the feeling I love. Her family is great and I’m so glad I can be friends with them. Right now is a tough time, and I ask you all to pray for her and her family. I love you Amanda!
by ~ J on Monday July 05, 2010
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by ~ J on Tuesday June 08, 2010
no comments
Hello again – I know it’s been so long since I’ve posted any update. Let’s just say I’ve been buried in work. I haven’t even gotten to focus on a lot of growth with Childhood Cancer which says something about my last few months.
So, allow me to report in:
I met with CureSearch both in Washington, DC and Arcadia, CA. I met some amazing people. While I have yet to understand the depth of what CureSearch does, I feel convinced that they are the leaders in the pursuit for cures with Childhood Cancer diseases. I will have more information as my alignment with them progresses.
The past several weeks I’ve been doing a lot of selling and consulting with my day job, SMG. We announced a new web site (http://www.smgconsults.com) and we are bringing on several new projects that make me particularly happy. After six months of difficult projects, I’m refreshed to say that I can finally enjoy my day job again.
I’ve been staying home for several weeks which also makes me happy – I’m working on my tan in San Diego. Recently I learned that applying SPF 55 sun tan lotion only to the shoulders will make the top half appear white as ever, and your burn mark will look hilarious. I love San Diego especially when the 5 colleges get out and the beaches get packed!
I am working on finishing up a course for families affected by Childhood Cancer. It’s a simple course, but full of tools that help them release trauma, shift their mindset, and help them get a little bit of sanity. It’s based on the courses I do for leadership development during the day at SMG. As soon as this is finished I will post more information.
The Miracle Party 2010 is coming up fast – I’ve been working with volunteers of that foundation to help plan this year’s event (which will be incredible). This year they have grown in volunteers to literally over 100. I’m so inspired by this non-profit. Every new non-profit has it’s struggles, and you’d be surprised how cutthroat it is out there – the Miracle Party Foundation is great because other than their annual party, they are all about helping other foundations showcase what they are about to the community of Childhood Cancer.
And, yes I’m still enjoying the single life – TMI? It’s hard to find the perfect girl when you spend so much time working, but I’m to the point now in my life that I’m open to the idea. So, whoever she is, and wherever she is – I’m looking forward to finding her.
Ok, enough about me – I’m signing off now, hope all of you are doing excellent.
~ J
So, allow me to report in:
I met with CureSearch both in Washington, DC and Arcadia, CA. I met some amazing people. While I have yet to understand the depth of what CureSearch does, I feel convinced that they are the leaders in the pursuit for cures with Childhood Cancer diseases. I will have more information as my alignment with them progresses.
The past several weeks I’ve been doing a lot of selling and consulting with my day job, SMG. We announced a new web site (http://www.smgconsults.com) and we are bringing on several new projects that make me particularly happy. After six months of difficult projects, I’m refreshed to say that I can finally enjoy my day job again.
I’ve been staying home for several weeks which also makes me happy – I’m working on my tan in San Diego. Recently I learned that applying SPF 55 sun tan lotion only to the shoulders will make the top half appear white as ever, and your burn mark will look hilarious. I love San Diego especially when the 5 colleges get out and the beaches get packed!
I am working on finishing up a course for families affected by Childhood Cancer. It’s a simple course, but full of tools that help them release trauma, shift their mindset, and help them get a little bit of sanity. It’s based on the courses I do for leadership development during the day at SMG. As soon as this is finished I will post more information.
The Miracle Party 2010 is coming up fast – I’ve been working with volunteers of that foundation to help plan this year’s event (which will be incredible). This year they have grown in volunteers to literally over 100. I’m so inspired by this non-profit. Every new non-profit has it’s struggles, and you’d be surprised how cutthroat it is out there – the Miracle Party Foundation is great because other than their annual party, they are all about helping other foundations showcase what they are about to the community of Childhood Cancer.
And, yes I’m still enjoying the single life – TMI? It’s hard to find the perfect girl when you spend so much time working, but I’m to the point now in my life that I’m open to the idea. So, whoever she is, and wherever she is – I’m looking forward to finding her.
Ok, enough about me – I’m signing off now, hope all of you are doing excellent.
~ J
by ~ J on Tuesday May 04, 2010
2 comments
Everyone has their causes, their purposes and their crusades in life. Mine has presented itself– and this Monday was another shocking experience in this world. Today, I am really emotionally just wrecked.
Ok, so now that I prefaced this – let’s begin.
Ok, so now that I prefaced this – let’s begin.
Taylor Morgan Rivera, a 14 year old girl from Pueblo, Colorado lost her life this past week and she was laid to rest yesterday morning. Taylor was one of my heroes with cancer, unlike many of these patients I didn’t know Taylor that well, but her waves of friendship, love, and pure care spread to thousands. Her best friend Kennedy was the first cancer patient I met at Denver Children’s Hospital as a volunteer. Taylor has a family, two loving parents, and two younger brothers. This is truly a perfect family torn apart by cancer. Taylor was a sweetheart; she was selfless and compassionate, she was strong and determined – she really was the perfect child. Her funeral service was completely full, filling the chapel and flowing out into the hallway as people stood trying to hear her life honored – hundreds of vehicles filled her procession. I got to sit with my closest friends in the childhood cancer community. Halfway through the funeral, my good friend Amanda (a young 12 year old girl facing a blood disease and cancer) reached her hand out to mine, moved to sit next to me, and held me as her eyes filled with tears. A foot in front of me, in the forward row, Kennedy (one of my heroes) sat with her family feeling the loss of her best friend. It was a situation that almost made me completely loose it! This isn’t RIGHT; this isn’t how families should live but even though they are faced with these horrors of life, they are the most positive, uplifting and loving people you’ll ever meet.
Taylor was a beautiful girl – a girl who had hopes and dreams and lost her battle to cancer. It’s not right, it’s not fair and it is absolutely wrong. I will live my life every day making sure her memory is never forgotten. I will vow to make sure her suffering leads to a cure. Who’s with me? I call on the richest most influential people on earth to step in and choose to save these children – please.
For me, well – this was hard, but my experience is nothing compared to the pain Taylor’s family will endure. For today, I do my best to remember all the good Taylor brought to this world and what she fought for always keeping her sweet spirit in my life.
Taylor, I love you – I will miss you, and I am so thankful to have been at your celebration of life yesterday morning.
This was just tragic...
Above: Taylor Moran Rivera and Kennedy best friends who met within the first weeks of being diagnosed.
Click here to watch Kennedy & Taylor's Video
Click here to watch Kennedy & Taylor's Video