Enjoyed the articles about us ordinary people

I had my right artificial hip replaced last Monday the 25th of Aug. here at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY. I am currently recovering at the Frazier Rehabilitation facility on the Jewish Hospital campus. Although I am in serious pain and under the influence of pain medications, I could not let Ion’s writings go past without comment. Early today, I received a phone call from a USMS friend telling me of this thread, which prompted me to ask one of my co-workers to bring my lap top computer to the hospital. After reading these posts I found myself dealing with a multitude of thoughts and emotions. Some of the posts have been heart felt because I witnessed real, sincere decency within the people attempting to give Ion positive feedback and help guide him and understand the impact his writings has upon the readers of these posts. I also felt anger, shame, hostility, pity, humor and lastly, indignation from his writings. This past year I learned some very painful and life changing lessons that will guide me in my response. I am MANY of the things or types Masters Swimmers we speak of in this post. In years past I swam for both fitness and competition. I am a proud man in that I know that I have been richly blessed to have swam 7 TOP TEN USMS times and, won three or four serious offshore ocean races. Yet, the pride that I speak of here has nothing to do with swimming TOP TEN TIMES or winning ocean races. It has to do with pride found in walking into an Arena I chose to walk into and compete within, with many remarkable and inspiring people/swimmers. People/swimmers who took pride in uplifting the over weight swimmers who came to our pool during the nameless morning workouts over the years, who we all knew were now taking that grand step to getting in shape and gaining better control of their bodies. We embraced them and encouraged them because we all knew we were witnessing the essence of USMS because these people were using OUR Arena to better their lives which ultimately betters the lives of their children and loved ones. I have met USMS swimmers that brought tears to my eyes just being themselves and allowing me to witness greatness up close and personal. Men like Graham Johnston who looked at me with total peace on his face while riding out to Alcatraz Island to swim the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim in 97. Here before me sat a man who had devoted his entire life to swimming and in his mid 60’s in cold water demonstrated no fear or outward nervousness. Yet, I knew Graham understood the brutal shock we were about to get as we jumped off the Ferry Boat at Alcatraz Island into very cold water. His peace and lack of outward fear demonstrated courage and leadership because he knew many of the swimmers from North Texas who were on that Ferry Boat had never felt the shock they were about to receive. I remember meeting the great Dorothy Donnlley at a SCY Nationals during the last years of her life. We talked about artificial hips and swimming and how USMS swimming gave us an opportunity to keep fit around some very remarkable people. I was in awe of her gentle manner and vivid understanding of our sport and the positive impact it has on so many families and lives. I remember writing a man who beat the tar out of me during my first National event in Fort Lauderdale in 95. I watched him swim a very, very fast mile and asked him later in the day what his swimming history was. He took his time and explained his training regiment to me and then asked me about myself. He warmed my heart when he told me he had watched MY MILE because he saw my physical limitations with my right back side missing and wanted to see how I did. Here was a great USMS that watched some half assed guy from Texas swim the mile, and he had never met me before that day. I have read articles of supreme inspiration in SWIM Magazine. And yes, I have read a few articles I thought were dorky or out of place. But, boring for me may have been another Masters Swimmers area of interest and inspiration. Also, let us keep in mind how difficult it must be for the editors of Swim Magazine to publish a periodical that serves the interests of such a diverse group of people/swimmers who were born anywhere from the early 1900’s to the early 1980’. Heck, I may not agree with all the things I read, but I sure as heck am impressed and thankful for a great magazine. Let us read our foundation of premise for USMS: “United States Masters Swimming (USMS) is an organization of sportswomen and sportsmen founded in 1970 and dedicated to the premise that the lives of participants will be enhanced through aquatic physical conditioning. USMS supports and encourages competitions among its members” To enhance does not mean to tear down and undermine the USMS organization to further our own selfish interests or agendas, or provide us with a venue to feed our egos. We are a great organization comprised by many diverse people/swimmers with many different and divergent thoughts and beliefs. I think it is time we stop hammering on the foundations of our sport to further our misguided need or want of adoration or attention. Be positive Ion, and you will find the USMS organization that thousands of us have come to love and support. I know the decency, kindness and caring within our sport, first hand, up front and personal. Last year when I hovered at the very brink of destruction you (Ion) along with hundreds of USMS swimmers I never met and may never meet came to my side in private e-mails, cards and letters of Prayer, encouragement and uplifting. Go back and visit those thoughts and feelings for they are the thoughts and feelings that will make you (Ion) as great as United States Maters Swimming. I remember a Dillon Thomas writing that once said, “One mans ceiling was another mans floor.” That is true here as well….for we each seek and strive for different goals, wants, needs and successes. Their is greatness all around you ION, all you have to do to see, feel and witness it, is read the kind posts within this thread that are directed and written to help you see a light that many of us realize you do not see! Lastly,please forgive my ramblings, I blame it 100% ON THE MEDICATION…. :)

I had my right artificial hip replaced last Monday the 25th of Aug. here at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY. I am currently recovering at the Frazier Rehabilitation facility on the Jewish Hospital campus. Although I am in serious pain and under the influence of pain medications, I could not let Ion’s writings go past without comment. Early today, I received a phone call from a USMS friend telling me of this thread, which prompted me to ask one of my co-workers to bring my lap top computer to the hospital. After reading these posts I found myself dealing with a multitude of thoughts and emotions. Some of the posts have been heart felt because I witnessed real, sincere decency within the people attempting to give Ion positive feedback and help guide him and understand the impact his writings has upon the readers of these posts. I also felt anger, shame, hostility, pity, humor and lastly, indignation from his writings. This past year I learned some very painful and life changing lessons that will guide me in my response. I am MANY of the things or types Masters Swimmers we speak of in this post. In years past I swam for both fitness and competition. I am a proud man in that I know that I have been richly blessed to have swam 7 TOP TEN USMS times and, won three or four serious offshore ocean races. Yet, the pride that I speak of here has nothing to do with swimming TOP TEN TIMES or winning ocean races. It has to do with pride found in walking into an Arena I chose to walk into and compete within, with many remarkable and inspiring people/swimmers. People/swimmers who took pride in uplifting the over weight swimmers who came to our pool during the nameless morning workouts over the years, who we all knew were now taking that grand step to getting in shape and gaining better control of their bodies. We embraced them and encouraged them because we all knew we were witnessing the essence of USMS because these people were using OUR Arena to better their lives which ultimately betters the lives of their children and loved ones. I have met USMS swimmers that brought tears to my eyes just being themselves and allowing me to witness greatness up close and personal. Men like Graham Johnston who looked at me with total peace on his face while riding out to Alcatraz Island to swim the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim in 97. Here before me sat a man who had devoted his entire life to swimming and in his mid 60’s in cold water demonstrated no fear or outward nervousness. Yet, I knew Graham understood the brutal shock we were about to get as we jumped off the Ferry Boat at Alcatraz Island into very cold water. His peace and lack of outward fear demonstrated courage and leadership because he knew many of the swimmers from North Texas who were on that Ferry Boat had never felt the shock they were about to receive. I remember meeting the great Dorothy Donnlley at a SCY Nationals during the last years of her life. We talked about artificial hips and swimming and how USMS swimming gave us an opportunity to keep fit around some very remarkable people. I was in awe of her gentle manner and vivid understanding of our sport and the positive impact it has on so many families and lives. I remember writing a man who beat the tar out of me during my first National event in Fort Lauderdale in 95. I watched him swim a very, very fast mile and asked him later in the day what his swimming history was. He took his time and explained his training regiment to me and then asked me about myself. He warmed my heart when he told me he had watched MY MILE because he saw my physical limitations with my right back side missing and wanted to see how I did. Here was a great USMS that watched some half assed guy from Texas swim the mile, and he had never met me before that day. I have read articles of supreme inspiration in SWIM Magazine. And yes, I have read a few articles I thought were dorky or out of place. But, boring for me may have been another Masters Swimmers area of interest and inspiration. Also, let us keep in mind how difficult it must be for the editors of Swim Magazine to publish a periodical that serves the interests of such a diverse group of people/swimmers who were born anywhere from the early 1900’s to the early 1980’. Heck, I may not agree with all the things I read, but I sure as heck am impressed and thankful for a great magazine. Let us read our foundation of premise for USMS: “United States Masters Swimming (USMS) is an organization of sportswomen and sportsmen founded in 1970 and dedicated to the premise that the lives of participants will be enhanced through aquatic physical conditioning. USMS supports and encourages competitions among its members” To enhance does not mean to tear down and undermine the USMS organization to further our own selfish interests or agendas, or provide us with a venue to feed our egos. We are a great organization comprised by many diverse people/swimmers with many different and divergent thoughts and beliefs. I think it is time we stop hammering on the foundations of our sport to further our misguided need or want of adoration or attention. Be positive Ion, and you will find the USMS organization that thousands of us have come to love and support. I know the decency, kindness and caring within our sport, first hand, up front and personal. Last year when I hovered at the very brink of destruction you (Ion) along with hundreds of USMS swimmers I never met and may never meet came to my side in private e-mails, cards and letters of Prayer, encouragement and uplifting. Go back and visit those thoughts and feelings for they are the thoughts and feelings that will make you (Ion) as great as United States Maters Swimming. I remember a Dillon Thomas writing that once said, “One mans ceiling was another mans floor.” That is true here as well….for we each seek and strive for different goals, wants, needs and successes. Their is greatness all around you ION, all you have to do to see, feel and witness it, is read the kind posts within this thread that are directed and written to help you see a light that many of us realize you do not see! Lastly,please forgive my ramblings, I blame it 100% ON THE MEDICATION…. :)