Thursday, January 29, 2009

Kurtis the Stock Boy and Brenda the Checkout Girl

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22);he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out, only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals that are in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person?

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.


AND THE REST OF THE STORY:
Today at church our minister mentioned that when Kurt, his wife and children go out to eat, he has one of his children pick out a family eating at the restaurant. Kurt then tells the wait staff he is picking up the tab for that family's dinner anonymously. He remembers the days he was working nights in the grocery store and feeding his family on food stamps.


Makes it hard not to root for the Cardinals IN THE SUPER BOWL...doesn't it?

It may also give you the sudden urge to buy an Arizona Cardinals Replica Helmet.

Monday, January 12, 2009

NFL Playoff Thoughts

The great thing about the NFL is that it's unpredictable. Every team is working with the same salary restrictions, which levels the playing field. Winning is based on not who can spend the most money. It's about the draft, management, leadership, playing as a team...everything you learn in little league. That's why the NFL has replaced the MLB as the National Pastime.

The past week we saw the Cardinals, Eagles, Ravens and Steelers advance. The Steelers were the only team that had the first week of the playoffs off, that advanced. The Panthers, Giants and Titans all played at home and had two weeks to prepare...yet still lost.

I'm convinced that it's better to play the Wildcard Weekend. The past few years have proven this over and over again. The last 3 Super Bowl winners played the first weekend of the playoffs and unless the Steelers win it this, year it will happen again.

My prediction: I don't see the Cardinals moving on next week. They squeked by the Falcons who pretty much outplayed them as they couldn't muster a long drive together other then one in the 4th quarter. Then, they breezed this past week with the help of 5 ints from Jake Delhomme.

The Steelers looked very tough. But so have the Ravens. I see the Steelers winning next week as these two teams are very similiar except the Ravens have a rookie QB and will be playing away.

As stated, the Eagles will breeze by the Cardinals and make for an Eagles-Steelers, all Pennslyvania Super Bowl! Not ready to predict the winner there.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

My Record Breaking Cornhole Throw

Last weekend over on New Year's Eve I broke the world record for longest Cornhole toss. Enjoy.