"Do it for Johhny!"

Eight years ago tomorrow I completed the Chicago Marathon. I enjoyed crossing off one of my life’s goals – but it hurt like hell doing it!

 

When I was on the last quarter mile I was near exhaustion. I was tired, grumpy and hurt all over (y’know, feeling normal) because some dumbass decided to put a hill near the finish! As I was getting close to the final turn near the finish line, I head Brian’s distinctive voice, trying to urge me on: "C’mon Matt McCormick! "C’mon Matt McCormick! Do it for Johnny!" 

 

For those of you who don’t know/remember, the clip from "The Outsiders" may help you. Brian and I would often encourage each other or others to "Do it for Johnny" when they needed to go the extra mile for something. Or, when doing a shot.

Rest in peace Dr. Marcos E. Amongero, M.D.

The entire McCormick clan went to the memorial mass for Dr. Marcos Amongero today.  Marcos is the brother of Kevin Amongero.  We are dear friends with his family.  Kevin’s wife Tori and Susan buy shoes at Nordstroms together (frequently!) and our kids go to the same school.  It was quite a testimony to Marcos as Holy Angels church in Dayton was packed. It was a moving ceremony and our friend Tammy Schaff provided some amazing singing. 

 

I only met Marcos a few times.  He was always a cool cat - comfortable in his own skin, a brain without having to prove it and he loved being with his family.  His prayer card was particularly moving:

 

To those I love and those who love me

When I am gone, release me, let me go,
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourselves to me with tears
Be thankful for our beautiful years.
I gave to you my love. But you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown.
But, now it's time to travel on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must.
Then let grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a time that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on,
And if you need me call and I’ll come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near

and if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say

'Welcome Home.'

 

Marcos, like Brian, lived a full life in their limited years.  Both had moving funeral masses and had many friends remarking about their amazing lives, experiences and how much they will be missed.  I thought: “this has to be the greatest honor bestowed upon a person.”  Where, upon your death, people talk at great length about how you made such a positive impact on their lives. How you left the world a better place. How you made them better.   It humbles me.  I firmly believe how you are remembered is the truest measure of success.  May we all strive to be as successful as Marcos and Brian.  God rest them both.   

In keeping with Matt's post below I wanted to share of photo of myself invoking Brian spirit in Idaho this past summer. This picture was taken somewhere deep in the Frank Church Wilderness area of central Idaho on our trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

It was costume night and, as always, I tried to make Brian proud...

 

Brian would have loved this and probably still had a hand in it someway.

Patrick channeling his “inner Brian” while go-karting!

We have been fortunate to go on several fun trips this summer.  As usual, we went to Door County Wisconsin and helped the economy.  The kids love all the fun stuff to do and the adults (per contract with the Wisconsin Economic Development Fund) shop and gain a guaranteed 10 pounds. 

 

The favorite event is go-karting.  Patrick is especially good since he can drive well and only weighs 90 pounds.  Thus, he is much faster than almost everyone.  As the following story will indicate, I could tell Brian was with Patrick.  My loving son passed me with a huge smile on his face.  He proceed to get in front of me, thrust his right arm triumphantly in the air and put his index finger up in an “I am number one” salute.  He held his arm up for about ten seconds and even gave a patented “McCormick head nod” with glee. 

 

Many of you will know Brian also used this move - especially during go-kart racing - and probably tried to trademark it as well.  I laughed out loud.  I was proud of Patrick and struck with the fact that Brian would have done the exact same thing (after trying to put me into the wall!) 

Inaugural "Heir to the McCormick Spice Fortune" Golf Outing

 Inaugural McCormick Spice Fortune Golf Outing

We are in the early stages of putting together a golf outing to honor the memory of Brian and raise some money for his scholarship fund. I have a few questions for everyone who is interested in playing or interested in being a part of this event. The outing will be held in the summer of 2014. 

1.       Are you interested in playing?

2.       What month works best for you?

3.       Would you be bringing your entire family or just yourself?

4.       Would you be interested in attending a Reds game the night before?

5.       If you are bringing your family would you be interested in a trip to the Zoo?

6.       Do you have a connection we can use to make this a golf outing to remember?

7.       Would you be interested in a Gallagher style watermelon smashing contest? (thanks Ted)

Please send your responses to spicefortune@gmail.com. We will be using this email address for the outing. We would also like to make this a golf outing Brian would be proud of, so please let us know if you have any ideas we could use to make this a great event. For example, one person from you team must be wearing a Mexican wrestling mask at all times. Any suggestions or ideas are very welcome.

We will also be making a facebook event.  Look for it under McCormick Spice Fortune Golf Outing. Please invite anyone you think will want to know about this event. We are currently talking with courses in the Cincinnati area, I will post updates here and on the facebook page.

Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions

Mark Libs

Heir to the MAD LIBS fortune

"You truly have no idea how idea how much the Brian McCormick fund has helped me. It is truly a blessing!"

 

Dear Mr. McCormick:

Hello!  My name is ______ ______ and I am a student at Xavier University.  I am biology major and hoping to become chemistry minor this fall.  In the future, I’d also like to study languages and become a linguistic.  My main goal is to go to Med school after my undergraduate years at Xavier.  I will be a junior this fall – meaning after this year I will have one more year.

Every semester I come to Xavier University with high hopes and ambition knowing the only job I have right now is being the best student that I can be, and achieving the best grades possible.  I know that I can do this if I work hard and put my mind to it.  Nothing can keep me away, but there is something that always holds me back – which is the money/the costs for paying to go and study at Xavier.  I know I can handle my classes and my grades – but, money has always been a factor in deciding if I am able to return to Xavier each semester.

I’d like to take this time to thank you so very much!  You truly have no idea how idea how much the Brian McCormick fund has helped me.  It is truly a blessing!   I really, REALLY, cannot thank you enough!  I am truly grateful and will forever be grateful.  You have reassured me that no matter what obstacle I come across – I can, somehow, overcome it.  I know now that there is always a way, and that if I fight real hard for my dreams (God willing) it will happen and come true.  It is people like you who help people succeed and reach their goals.  You give people like me hope and the willpower to continue to work for my dreams.

I thank you so very much Mr. McCormick.  I thank your family.  I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but, may God’s blessings be upon you and your family!  What you do and how you give TRULY changes and helps people’s lives for the better - because, it has truly helped me.

Again, thank you so very much Mr. McCormick!  May God’s peace and blessings be onto you and your family.  And, most importantly, your son!

From a student you have greatly helped in continuing her education and becoming something greater in the future. 

Sincerely,

Name withheld   J

**********************************************************************************

You are most welcome.  Your letter was simply awesome and inspiring!  Again, I am not alone in supporting Brian’s fund.  However, your letter is the reason why we continue to keep Brian’s vision alive.  We should thank you!

PS.  This is the 70th Xavier student Brian's fund has kept in school!  WOW!

Fishing and Tommy Boy

Patrick, my dad and I just got back from Canada on a fishing trip.  As you can see, Patrick is turning out to be quite the fisherman.  (He caught the biggest fish only 10 minutes after arriving at the camp!) 

 

I could not help remembering the many fishing trips we all took with Brian.  We were fortunate to go to many places and occasionally caught some big fish.  (We usually just drank beer, told lies and had a blast everywhere we went.) After one Costa Rica trip, Brian asked to see my carry-on bag after we cleared customs.  He quickly rifled through stuff and pulled out the airplane’s life preserver that I thought was under my seat!  (Brian placed it in my bag without my knowledge.) He simply said “thanks.”  I was dumbfounded and said “Hey!  I could have been busted! I think that is a felony.”  Brian mumbled “Umm…yeah… maybe…but, you didn’t get caught and it would have been great to see your reaction if you did.”   I was speechless for one of the few times in my life. 

 

I later learned Brian pulled out the life preserver at a Xavier party.  He told me it was just like the pre-flight safety announcement scene in “Tommy Boy” where Chris Farley opened the preserver and almost choked.  Brian said it was just like the movie as the preserver nearly choked him as it inflated!  He laughingly told me he struggled to find a fork – so he could stab it several times – in order to breathe.   Brian also thought it was funny the FAA would probably get a notice that a life preserver, previously on a plane from Costa Rica, would suddenly go off at 2 AM in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He laughed thinking about some FAA nerd trying to figure it out.

 

 

As the title of the blog says….”Only Brian!”   

Brian and Andy from Andy's Mediterranean Grille

 

I heard from Andy Hajjar recently. You may know him from “Andy’s Mediterranean Grille.”  (http://www.andyskabob.com/index.html) Brian lived close by and loved to eat there on a regular basis. (Brian – as a true gourmand -  probably ate at Andy’s more than he dined at his own house!)  Brian soon became fast friends with Andy and the entire restaurant staff.  He would frequently go out on the town with them.  Brian would especially delight in telling me stories about his exploits and fun times he often had with Andy.  

 

Andy’s kind note stated he “could not believe it has been five years” and how he “really missed him.”  He encouraged us to stop by (we will!) and remembered Brian’s “favorite beer was Almaza” how he used to eat “Tawook Kabob.”

 

Thank you Andy for remembering Brian and for being his friend.  I think it is great that Brian is still loved and missed by so many people.  I also think it is perfect that Brian is also remembered by Andy for what he would love to eat and drink! 

 

I can hear him humming now as he ate the Tawook Kabob!

XU Grad’s June 6th Book Signing At Dana’s – Also a Fundraiser for Brian McCormick’s (Pablo) Memorial Fund

Ashley (Kuehner) Scribner is a 2002 Xavier graduate.  Her brother Aaron used to get in trouble with Brian.  Ashley and her husband (Curtis - also a XU grad) recently published a children's book called "Findlay: A Cincinnati Pig Tale."  It is now on Amazon (click here) and will hit bookshelves shortly.

 

The Scribners are having a book signing on June sixth at Dana's.  They will graciously give a portion of every book sold that night to Brian's Memorial Fund.  This fund - thanks to support from the Xavier Community - has kept over 70 XU kids in school.

 

Please stop by Dana's on June sixth and support these wonderfully kind and creative Xavier graduates.  In addition, you get to drink beer and help Pablo keep more Xavier students in school. 

 

THANK you to Ashley, Curtis and BJ for their amazing generosity and kindness.  These are the people - and the reasons - why Xavier is special and UD is not.

 

God Bless you and yours.  The McCormick Family.