First off I think I need to start this thread with a disclaimer. I’m not a very good writer, the words just don’t run off my tongue like they do for my friend Tom D.
First off I’d like to think each and every one of you for your kind words and donations you sent my families way over the last few weeks. I’m not really sure how to express my thoughts or to even put them into words, the only way I feel is appropriate is to give each and every one of you a hug and a very firm hand shake (a kiss for you ladies out there). The kids are doing great, we were granted temporary guardianship last Thursday and they started school on Friday. We have a hearing on December 9th to be granted permanent guardianship. “My” other two have had a little difficulty dealing with having to share their mom and dad with someone else but we are seeing a counselor on this and it seems to helping a great deal!
For the “Hero” title that Tom bestowed upon me, Im not a a hero, I’m just your average joe, middle class family man that has a GREAT wife that puts up with my year around training. I have a great group of friends that I train and race with (John Loudermilk, Zoe Metro,Tom Demerly, Todd Briggs, Dan Clapp and whole lot of others) some are aware of our two new additions to our family and others will be surprised! Saying that, I’ll end this by saying Thank you fellow ST’ers you will always be in my heart! But don’t think I’ll slow down if I see you in front of me in a race I’ll keep you posted>
You’re a rare individual anyway one wants to look at it, you’ve step up and are doing the right thing, and this day and age, too many people find it easier to just turn away…
good luck, godspeed and make sure they wear their pots when they ride
Jeff, You may not see yourself as a “Hero”, but you are definitely one of the good guys. I applaud you and your wife for taking on the pressure (and joy) of raising two more kids.
Thank you again for your help at LP this summer. And, stay safe.
Sometimes average Joe’s are the greatest heros. Best of luck to you and your wife with life’s new challenges. How we handle a challenge is what makes a hero out of an average Joe.
LP was a great race for me, I had the opportunity to met a lot of new people and make some new friends. You are one of the people that makes this sport what it is. Thank you for all the encouragement this year, I hope that we will share as many if not more good times this year!
not average at all. i’m always in awe of someone who puts someone else’s needs in front of their own. if the world had more people like you and your wife, we’d all be better off. good luck to you and your family. give the kids a hug for all of slowtwitch.
You’re an example of selflessness to us all. Some say that triathletes are egotistical, self obsessed and rude. Too bad it takes 10 examples like you to offset the peoples focus on the other type. Seeing others examples helps us all to do the right thing. Thanks for opening your life and story up to us all.
Being a hero means being there to do the heavy lifting. This may surprise you, because you’re a man of action who doesn’t run from a challenge, but 99.9% of the folks out there would have seen the plight of those two kids and cried themselves to sleep thinking how awful it was and that “somebody” should do something.
You, OTOH, did something. You’ve taken on an incredible task and a responsibility of awesome dimensions. Just because you’re the kind of guy who steps up, I’m sure you’ll be a great dad to all four, and in years to come even your own two will speak in awe of what you did. Don’t sell yourself short, ‘cuz we ain’t buyin’
Thanks Tom, I’ll let the kids know. The way my schedule looks I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get in there before 6 tomorrow before you close. After that I’m leaving to go hunting for the weekend, I won’t be home until Tuesday afternoon.
I’ll keep you posted>