“You did a great job and received many compliments.” The receptor of this praise began to blush a bit. “Ya know, when hosting those types of events you pour heart and soul into it. Then it’s over.” A simple dude from Missouri finished with, “It’s nice to get some feedback.”
This conversation was sparked by a call to the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. I was trying to reach President Mindy McCoughlan. I had hosted the organization’s first “Loveland Dancing with the Stars” event about a month ago. However, the kind words came from another Chamber employee who had answered the phone and informed me that the group’s savvy leader was busy.
“We raised more than $50,000 that night and now have given out more than $200,000 in grants.” Right on. We had a grand time and swelled the coffers of the Chamber’s grant program assisting local businesses after last year’s devastating floods.
In addition, an aging jock who loves to host things got to mark something off the ol’ bucket list. Yep. First, an admission to make. I’m envious of Tom Bergeron. Ya know, the guys who hosts “Dancing With The Stars?” Whenever darling fiancee forces me to watch the program - sports gal Erin Andrews is Bergeron’s new sidekick - fantasy begins to rumble around in my brain with this thought: “That sure looks like a lot of fun.”
So, on a smaller scale but for a greater cause, this lucky old father to two great kids got to experience the moment and check one more thing off the bucket list. Yay, me!
But the real fortune was to be around a whole bunch of other folks who truly care for one another. The floods of 2013 were historic and unprecedented. Lives, livelihoods and terrain were forever changed by Mother Nature’s wrath. It has led to much discussion about necessary changes to protect people, communities and vital natural resources being extracted from the land.
The spirit of Loveland. It’s a good one. Before getting back to the story, Mindy is married to one of my favorite all-time Colorado Buffaloes, cornerback Dave McCoughlan, He’s
a walking, talking and breathing example of the city’s moxie. The fast, athletic and strong defensive back was a starter on the Buffs’ 1990 national championship team. He was a standout during his whole career in Boulder, and went on to play fours seasons in the National Football League. Since retiring, he’s stayed in the game as a scout. A rock solid guy, and always a great interview during my television days covering CU athletics. Fun to be around. Dependable.
The floods might have knocked the community down, but there’s no way you can knock it out. The town was born in 1877, along a newly constructed line of the Colorado Central Railroad, Loveland is known for Valentine’s Day and its admirable resilience.
What about us? When the floods hit our lives and threaten to sweep us downstream, how do we react? I think of my buddy Billy Mac from Hackensack’s wise words: “It’s okay to get knocked down. Even lie there and bleed a bit. But you gotta get back up and keep marching.”
Amen, brother.
The stories shared that entertaining evening were inspiring and memorable. Businesses wiped out from the raging waters. Personal tragedies overcome. Courage and wonderment overcoming fear and self-doubt. A wonderful reminder of the power of the collective human spirit.
Those types of stories are not limited to the Loveland Chamber’s first DWTS competition. I hear there’s going be a second. I hope to be asked to return. Those types of stories unfold each and every day. Each of us has “stuff” going on. It might be the death of a child, personal illness, the Illness to a loved one, job loss, divorce, injury or any other “poked in the eye” devastating moment. The floods will hit. That we know. “When” is the big question, but an even bigger question is “How will we react?”
Take a big cue from the folks of Loveland, Colorado. When the waters rise to destructive levels, let’s make sure we throw one another a lifeline. Let’s come together and encourage one another to persevere. That does not mean it’s gonna be easy. In all probability, it will be quite difficult. It will require us to move forward focused on the future, not dwelling upon the past, and trusting the waters will recede.
As I like to encourage the dudes at Denver Rescue Mission each Thursday during chapel service, “We gotta let it go!” The power of unity. I know some folks think it’s corny but, in my opinion, there’s great potential when we rally and offer hope and confidence to one another to achieve goals and overcome challenges.
Sometimes we succeed. We always win. Do it this week!
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