Thursday, October 28, 2004

Thanks


Cele Pedro Trophy, originally uploaded by mattyv424.

Way to go Casey.
We could not have done it with out you.

Love you,
Aunt Chris

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Another new Sox fan

My name is Mandy Solomon. I met Casey because she worked with my husband Jon at theAnderson-Independent. We met for the first time at the SCPA awards in February 2002. I am not a writer by nature and tend to ramble but I will try and convey myfeelings as best as I can.

Shortly after we met thefrenziness of March Madness began and Casey and Willwere frequently at Jon's place where we watched basketball until I thought I would go nuts. I actually fell asleep during a game and when I woke up Casey just looked at me and shook her head.

Regardless, me, Emily and Casey had many margaritas and beers together and had a blast. The last time I saw Casey was at mine and Jon's wedding in November 2003. I have a picture of the two of us that I cherish to this day.

I wasn't expecting her to comebut she said she wouldn't miss it for the world. I was so glad to have her there that day. I know it was a lot for her to come. I still think about Casey and although I grew up in the south and am an avid AtlantaBraves fan i have found myself cheering for the RedSox, those adorable idiots that Casey loved. I am finding myself, especially lately, believing thatCasey is up in heaven and has charmed God and BabeRuth into lifting the curse.

As I sit here, after the Sox have won their second series game, with tears streaming down my face it has really hit me how much fun Casey would be having right now and how much I miss her.

Sox

Dan Shaughnessy wrote an excellent column in the Globe today. The passage below will resonate with some people here.

How many of you watched the thrilling comeback against the Yankees and thought of a parent or a spouse who has died? How many watched the first two games of the World Series and thought about how much more special this would be if Uncle Joe or Aunt Elizabeth had lived to see it?

How many of us think maybe Uncle Joe or Aunt Elizabeth have something to do with it happening?





Thursday, October 21, 2004

Not a coincidence

I knew I was going to cry a little. That much was inevitable.

With the Red Sox holding a big lead in the middle innings, I had an unusual calm about me that I don’t usually get during playoff baseball games. I knew they were going to win. I knew I was going to cry.

It was an almost perfect night. The only thing missing was Casey. She would have liked this. Maybe I’m being foolish, but something in me believes she had something to do with it. Maybe I just want to think so.

But as so many of you told me by phone or e-mail this morning and late last night, she was in all our thoughts as we watched the game. I’ve been carrying a wooden Irish necklace, that I bought her in Belfast, with me during each of the game. I rub it when the Sox need some luck. It has been pretty successful in recent days.

I’ll have it with me Sunday for Game 7 of the World Series. I have a feeling Casey will be there too.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Casey in the Monster Seats


Me-Casey Monster, originally uploaded by mattyv424.

I finally figured out how to post photos here. Please send me some

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Feel good cancer story

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Like the little kid on Christmas Eve whose combination of pent-up excitement and untreatable anxiety eventually turns into insomnia, Mark Fields tossed and turned restlessly much of Friday night, finally gave up on trying to get some sleep, and headed for the Carolina Panthers locker room.

None of his early-bird teammates were surprised to see the nine-year linebacker. But they were surprised to see Fields, normally among the last of the Carolina veterans to check in for work, that early.

Then again, Saturday, the first time on the field in training camp for the defending NFC champions, wasn't just any other day. For the universally respected Fields, who missed the Panthers' run to the Super Bowl last year while he battled Hodgkin's Disease, the day marked the resumption of his football career. And, of course, his first encounter with full-contact drills since the final days of the 2002 season.

Despite some rust and obvious fatigue, Fields made it through the opening test with a passing grade.

"It's to the point now where it's a battle with myself," said Fields, who worked with the No. 1 defense, as he took the initial step toward reclaiming his starting spot at strongside linebacker. "The coaches are very aware of it and they have been great. But now, after all the chemo(therapy) and all the treatments, it's up to me. No one else can go out there for me and do the things I have to do to re-prove myself."

The fact Fields is back on a football field at all, let alone trying to climb back to the top of the depth chart on one of the NFL's best defenses, is already a feel-good story. Fields won't feel really good about things, however, until he is all the way back.
Toward that end, it seemed, Saturday produced some mixed results. There were plays on which Fields, 31, flashed his typical quickness to get to the ball. But on a few occasions, it appeared he struggled to merely get back to the huddle. There is a long way to go. Then again, given where Fields has come from, his progress is nothing shy of remarkable.

"I doubt most people understand what he has been through," said weakside linebacker Will Witherspoon. "Yeah, you hear the word 'cancer' and everyone reacts to it pretty much the same way. But for an athlete, a person who earns a living with his body ... well, I mean, you never expect to hear that word. You think you're invincible, right? So, mentally, as well as physically, he's had to fight back."

Witherspoon once accompanied Fields to observe a chemotherapy treatment for Panthers linebacker coach Sam Mills, whose battle with cancer continues. The unusual experience provided Witherspoon a raw insight into what Fields and Mills have faced, increased his respect for both men and steeled his conviction to help both come all the way back.

The optimism of Saturday's two workouts aside, even with the positive vibes, Fields still has questions that will need to be answered before he is deemed whole again. He will be closely monitored and, in a game where there are no gimmes, will have to produce.

"At some point," acknowledged coach John Fox, "you have to use the same measuring stick for Mark that you use for everyone else. He knows that."
Greg Favors, who moved into the starting job after Fields was diagnosed last year, has departed in free agency. But the Panthers signed veterans Jessie Armstead and Brandon Short, the latter a young, three-year starter for the Giants, in free agency. The strongside spot, it seems, is one of the most competitive on the team.
Then again, for Fields it feels pretty good just to be able to compete again. Part of the depression he battled last year was the feeling of being separated from the team, not a part of the success -- an interloper of sorts. It's a common theme suffered by any player who is injured for an extended period but, of course, Fields' circumstances were more severe than most.
"There were times last year when, on a bad day, you would think to yourself, 'Man, this isn't going to happen,' " recalled Fields. "It humbles you and changes your perspective. And it makes the (comeback) all the sweeter, too, and that really drives you."
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

Monday, October 04, 2004

A Special Bond

By Jo Ann Checkovich

I first met Casey while she was covering a University of South Carolina basketball game at the Carolina Coliseum. I'm sure she had been there before but I had never spoken with her.

This paticular night however was the first game I had worked since the death of my daughter Suzanne. Casey caught my eye with her attire that evening. You see she had a scarf on her head and I could tell by the soft fold around her face that she had lost her hair.

As I walked closer to her, I heard her joking with the other reporters about the loss of her hair. As a mother who had been through the battle of cancer with a super hero of a daughter, I knew all the signs and language.

I fought back tears because I knew my daughter would not be very proud of me if I spoke to Casey and had an emotional moment. I finally found the courage to speak to her and let her know that I knew she was fighting a battle. I told her my daughter had been through a similar experience and I knew a little about the strength it took to wage such a battle.

Casey asked me how she was doing and my answer to her was she was well and happy. I did not lie and as Casey's brother so eloquently put it "she had her had in the hand of Jesus when she breathed her last breath". Actually I believe it was Casey who told her brother that.

Over the next several years we e-mailed back and forth and I would see her at occasional South Carolina ballgames. She did not know for the first year that my daughter had died. She asked me point blank one day at a game how she was and I had to tell her. I reminded her that as she well knew each journey was different and that is why I had not told her before.

I kept her e-mails because she was such a gifted writer but in main part because she spoke of her battle and had such inspiring words to light up many days. Like many other people who have written about her, I felt her incredible life force everytime I was around her.

I did not know of her death until football season started at South Carolina this year. I have spent the last several weeks thinking about her and feeling much the same as I do about my incredible daughter. While the world sometimes feels empty without my wonderful Suzanne and vivacious Casey, so many lives were touched and blessed with the pleasure of having been able to share their lives even if the time was much too short.

To Casey's parents and family - I met her, I admired her, I grew to care very much for her and she will always remain in my heart. Thank you for sharing Casey with all of us.