Pep Talk: "Giddy Up!"

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Well, in googling, “How many Americans believe in the power of prayer?” your knucklehead scribe discovered most “surveys” suggest about 75% or more do. 

However, that question is not the focus of this Pep Talk. What is the focus is the impressive response to a good-natured barb sent toward Colorado’s governor John Hickenlooper. In introducing the Centennial State’s chief executive to a ballroom packed with almost 1,000 folks for the annual Colorado Prayer Luncheon, the event emcee jokingly asked questions about the governor’s recently released memoir, “The Opposite of Woe: My Life in Beer and Politics.”

The two-term Democrat’s response was witty and powerful. In explaining the title, the 64-year-old stated, “Growing up I was always taught, the opposite of woe, is giddy up.” Right on Hick.

The opposite of woe, is giddy up. Love it! From an early age the geologist, brew pub inventor, restaurant tycoon and popular politician was taught something invaluable: when life disappoints us, what to do? Apparently, if you ask the governor, we should saddle up the horses and ride.

That seems to be exactly the spirit Meredith brings to life despite her youth. Four years ago when “Merry” was five, she was diagnosed with cancer. Radiation treatments triggered vomiting, sores, fatigue and burns. But the most stressful thing for this amazing young girl was losing hair. A bald head was uncomfortable for many reasons, including teasing and adapting to cold and hot weather.

Wearing hoodies helped with everything! It also inspired Merry, now nine and in remission, and her parents to realize their woe was calling them to giddy up. Bravehoods was born. The organization provides hoodies for kids with cancer. For every hoodie purchased, the agency donates one to a kid with cancer. Bravo!

I was blessed to meet Meredith and her mother at the Ninth “Gift of Life & Breath” 5K run/walk. It’s the brainchild of a woman who transformed woe into giddy up. Thelissa Zollinger’s husband, Gary, died from lung cancer a while back. It was shocking to learn of the successful businessman’s stage four diagnosis considering he never smoked and was in good physical shape. Despite a double lung transplant and other aggressive treatment strategies, Gary didn’t make it.

It inspired an amazing soul to devote the rest of life to funding research in finding an early detection test for lung cancer. Most folks don’t know they have lung cancer until it’s too late. In nine years, Thelissa’s incredible spirit has inspired many to join the cause. More than $750,000 has been raised to fund finding a reliable early-detection test. 100% of the money raised goes to research, ZERO to administrative costs.

A governor, woman, and kid. In their worlds, when the going gets tough, the opposite of woe is giddy up. When life’s misfortunes wander our way, we’d be quite wise to emulate their powerful and productive spirit.

In fact, I pray we do.