
This is the third year I have attended. It is an opportunity to meet old friends and make some new ones. Saturday night was no exception. Laura, Jordan and I got dressed up and did our best to support the cause.

You see, at the age of twenty-seven, Pete Frates, a baseball player, was diagnosed with ALS in 2013. Pete wanted to make a difference for ALS. He asked his neurologist what it would take to cure ALS? His neurologist said in a serious tone, “It will take a billion dollars to find the cure!” To which Pete said, “I will get you the money!”
Subsequently, Pete told his family and the ice bucket challenge was born. As you may know, the phenomenon went viral thanks to Pete and his family. The ALS association has received over a hundred million dollars and awareness of this quiet disease is now talked about around the world!
Anita spoke about the ice bucket challenge and Pete. It was a tearful moment when she described her son, now 30, and what he is facing today. Pete is completely paralyzed and cannot speak. The only method of communication is using his eye gaze device. As a side note, even though the eye gaze device is useful for communication, it is painfully slow and tries everyone’s patience.

One of them introduced me to his wife by saying, “This is the guy I told you about, the one I said was going to die.” We both smiled and he said, “I think you lived just to make me look bad (smile).” He graciously posed with me for this picture.

When I think about it, I don’t know why I tried to take control. If I just sit back and trust Him, everything works out. I act as if I don’t know God although He has always taken care of me and made sure I had everything I needed. I am embarrassed to make this confession to you.
I hope I am not alone in this struggle. Being in control or giving up control is quite a battle. Maybe you can help me with some advice on how you let go and stop trying to grab the steering wheel.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.