TGIFri….Saturday! This weeks quote. “Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.” Paul Ryan
Yesterday was a day filled with ups and downs. Caitlyn’s lacrosse team was playing in Cortland in the NYS Final Four. A first time feat for a NR girls lacrosse team. They are a team that emulates their community. They are hard working. They are opportunistic. They are positive. They are diverse. They never quit. The girls fought valiantly only to come up short against a very powerful team. And while there were some tears shed, the girls held their heads high and found comfort in giving it their best shot. And a common refrain was we will be back. Their spirit epitomizes the spirit of NR. Our community is treated as the poor stepchild by the “local” press, by its neighbors to the South and sometimes by a minority of our residents. But what I see tells a different story. At every game, at every event, at every benefit, I see a community that shows up. That works hard but makes the time to be involved. That sees opportunities and makes them work. That is diverse but uses it to make us whole. I see a community. And I am thankful to be a part of it.
Last night I attended Coach Casarella’s Benefit for Leo Lader’s Post 130 American Legion. My first encounter with the Coach was 1972 and he was coaching tennis. At the time I didn’t know that tennis was a full contact sport! But everything about Coach is everything about NR. Everyone knows about the sports records but what they don’t know is the man is everywhere. He was in Cortland to see the girls play. He’s at every NR event I’ve ever been to whether its sports related or not. But here is the part no one thinks about. Coach’s commitment goes far beyond sports. I’m not even sure Coach knows the number of times he has gone to a wake and funeral for anyone who had any relationship with the NR community. And while we may have had some fun last night picking on the Coach, that aspect of Coach is one I will always respect. I am thankful to the Coach for the pride he instills in our community. But I am more thankful to know the man who tries every day to make a difference, to make our community what it is-Raider Proud!
Have a great week. May God bless you and yours and hold you in the palm of His hand.