A City To Love

As my time in TX most probably draws to a close, Parker is eager to show me around the city he loves. I smile when I realize how he seems to know every inch of it.

Thank you God for allowing us the opportunity to have these moments together. You scared me for a minute there!

Over the past weekend, between visits to the various dog parks, Parker and I spent a lot of time driving around downtown Austin. He pointed out many of the places that make this city so special to him. One place where he ran head first into James McMurtry coming out the back door. Another place where he watched as his friend Chris got his career start with his band. He excitedly pointed out many of the vivid 12’ guitars that are placed randomly around the city on street corners. Austin has almost as many guitars as DC has monuments. His face lights up when we top the hill going north on Congress, right near the bridge where the bats fly at dusk every night, and when the Capitol building comes into sight he says, I’ll never tire of that view.

For all my complaining about Texas over the years, I have to admit it is hard not to fall in love with Austin.

Parker still has a lot ahead of him. Another possible skin graft is looming to cover the mesh that is pushing through. And the big surgery to repair and rebuild his abdomen in a few months time. But he is working 4 hours a day now, and while it exhausts him, he feels really good knowing he has gotten this far.

Something happened yesterday that made Parker incredibly happy, and gave him a much needed boost of motivation. When he first got out of the hospital, Parker emailed a guy he has tremendous respect for, a guy who runs a nationally known program for competitive power lifters. Parker wrote to tell him his story, ask for advice on how to work himself back into competition fitness with his current disabilities, and for information about the program.

The guy wrote back a very warm, encouraging and congratulatory note, gave Parker some advice, and told him he looks for people that have a strong drive to succeed to be part of his program. He pointed out that Parker obviously has that drive, having come through everything he has in the last six months. He asked for Parker to send him a photo, and to keep him abreast of his progress.

Of everything that has happened, the email from this man who is famous, and who has taken an interest in Parker’s story, did more for his state of mind than anything else. Well, possibly except for the times his brother was here with him. But other than that, I’ve never seen Parker so excited, so happy, and so motivated. Whatever your name is out there in power-lifting land, Thank You!