Gonna Fly Now- Fly Fly Fly

Last Saturday, I took a spin class at the Y on a whim. This was not a smart idea. I spent a difficult 55 minutes pedaling, readjusting the bike, and feeling very out of shape. When the instructor called out "Last song, remember why you're here!" I was relieved. I then found out that this class' traditional end song was the Rocky theme. I thought of Rocky running through South Philadelphia. I thought of the many times I played the song as a member of the Drexel Pep Band. I thought of Pat and his beautiful blog post. And of course, I thought of Dan.

Dan challenged himself from the time he was very young. He started climbing steps when he was 7 months old. He was the youngest in his class but he was consistently among the top students. He was not a big guy, but he played football for 8 years with St. Helena 's and for Cardinal  Dougherty. He played with a lot of heart.

My Grandpa took this photo of Dan playing Freshman Football. Dan is #10.

When CD assigned the coaching duties for the wrestling team to a teacher who didn't know the sport well, Dan volunteered to coach them himself.

He was a good coach but tough.  Many laps were run under Dan's coaching!

Dan played softball with the Five Points Hellfish, and the summer that he was sick was no exception. He carried the heart of the team that summer.

"Lefty" playing softball in 2012 with the Hellfish.

 He jumped out of a plane!

Yup.  That kid could have an adventure.

Not only did Dan challenge himself, but he challenged others around him.  He certainly encouraged me.  I started to think that doing something to push your boundaries would be a great way to honor Dan this summer, and I felt compelled to invite you to do the same.  You don't have to jump out of a plane but you can do a lot of things!

You can support a cause and run in a race.

Or bike for a cause like Ben and Stacie (MS and the ADA, respectively).

You can take a dive of your own... Sky or otherwise.

Pat leaps into the bay.

You can get on that scary looking roller coaster, and sit in the front.  Because, to quote Colleen, "It will be awesome!"

Ben and Colleen on the Sidewinder in Hershey Park.

You could get on a boat with 22 of your closest relatives- and then camp with them afterwards.

2013 Red Baron Memorial Fishing Trip.  Lunkers for Unker!

You can watch the sun rise in a new location.

Dan saw this sunrise in Wildwood

You can learn to play a new game.

Dan teaches Doggie Dad to play Ladder Ball.

You can paddle out into the open channel.
 

Ben paddles in the bay, 2010.

You can eat something ridiculous!

Dan won this lobster dinner in a claw machine.

You can go on adventure and see something you haven't before.

 

The Zerbes took a road trip over the summer and saw caves, mines, the Grand Canyon, and Circque!

Dan giving the world a thumb's up!

You may not succeed at these new endeavors (at least at first) but each attempt will help you grow. So push yourself hard to succeed!  Just know that whatever you do, Dan would have enjoyed hearing all about these new adventures. He would encourage you to push yourself to try something else. But most of all, he would be happy to know that you were enjoying life.