A QUICK TRIP HOME

Hey all, I am back after a few days away.

 

I got to go home and see my family and friends. I had such a good time. It's crazy for me though because I didn't really want to leave. I have never really felt this strong about not leaving so it kind of shocked me. I think as I get older I start to see things completely different.

 

The best part of my short visit is that I got to spend some time with my nephew! He is such a sweet little thing, and I think I can see him being spoiled in the near future! VERY NEAR FUTURE -- Lol.

 

Ok, I am off now -- I have made it back to Phoenix and will lay down before I head to practice. Time to get back to work we have Seattle on Tuesday.

Until next time,

Meek 

REACHING OUT THROUGH READING

Let me share with you all how much fun that I had tonight!

It was a book reading on the 23rd floor of our building. It all started from a day at the pool and this dad and his daughter was down there and we were all having such a good time and got to talking. As we began to share stories, ideas began to rise. After he found out that I was an author and had a children's book out he suggested that I share it with kids in our building. I thought it was just talk but it actually happened and he posted signs in the elevator to make sure other kids saw it. There was milk and cookies and some good kids that were truly into the story. I loved it and had a blast.

The highlight of the evening was MJ and Macey reading with one another as well as helping each other with words that they didn't know. That is such a great thing and they are definitely our future. The kids that attended, I gave them a copy if the book and they were all excited and was all talking about doing their chores. LOL!

It truly was a great night,

Meek

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THE LOBO FAMILY

It is with a heavy heart that I pass along my thoughts and prayers to Rebecca Lobo and her family.  Rebecca's mother, RuthAnn lost her battle with breast cancer today. 

She was diagnosed in 1995 while Rebecca was still playing at UConn.  The thing I remember and respect the most was the fact that she and Rebecca took their opponent head on.  RuthAnn became a tremendous advocate for the fight against breast cancer much as did Sherie Starkey, the wife of my coach at LSU.  Both RuthAnn and Rebecca wrote a book, "Home Team" to talk in part about their fight against breast cancer.

She also received many awards such as the Maria Miller Stewart Award for mentoring young girls and boys and advocating equality for girls in education, and the Susan G. Komen Award, Connecticut Chapter. The award has since been renamed the Komen RuthAnn Lobo Award in her honor.

And, just as my grandmother, she was a long-time educator, and was actually a finalist for Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

I hope that you will join me in keeping the Lobo's in our prayers -- and even more importantly we must continue to work hard to defeat breast cancer.  It has been a big part of my HOPE Foundation and will continue to be -- and from this point on, I will consider RuthAnn Lobo are coach in heaven!

http://www.wnba.com/bha/bha_2003.html

JAPAN VICTORY GIVES HOPE TO A NATION IN CRISIS

As I sat down today and watched the Woman's World Cup Soccer Championship, I cheered extremely hard for the USA team. I wanted so bad for them to win. I know how hard they had been working, and how much they really wanted this title. This would have been such a great win for them. As the Japanese continued to fight and work just as hard, my whole attitude began to shift. I started thinking about the tragedy that they had faced as a country and how much they would have wanted to bring that championship back to their country. They wanted to bring some light back to their nation and that is something that I can understand. 

I can recall the same thing happening when my hometown of New Orleans faced the devestation of Hurricane Katrina.  My family and friends, as did so many thousands on the Gulf, lost most or all of their belongings.  Some paid even the ultimate price -- loss of life. For most of those in the New Orleans area, it was a confusing time in which they felt they have no place to go or no one to turn to in the time of dispair.

In 2009 we, the Phoenix Mercury, won the Championship and I was able to go back to my home town and celebrate with them. I was able to go back and bring a little light back to the people that were searching for some hope...something to believe in, something that would take their mind off of what they were really facing. I was so happy about that and so excited to bring it back to my city. Soon after that our NFL team, the New Orleans Saints brought our city its first Superbowl Championship and the city went nuts. They were so excited and celebrated more than ever. It was that victory and those players doing what they could to put our city on their backs and bring Hope back to the community.

I say all this to share something that we all know and have seen on many different ocassions. The sports world is so much more than just sports. It does things to bring cities, states, and countries together. It gives people a sense of hope and a connection to something great. It also helps brings smiles, laughter, joy, and happiness to others.  I am happy for the nation of Japan as this championship will certainly add fuel to their rebuilding efforts as they continue to rebound from such a tragedy. 

That world Championship game shifted for me and I went from being a fan of the USA Soccer Team, to an understanding human. Being one that has had to deal with devastation, I understand what happened for Japan as they celebrated their Victory.

HOPE FOR A WORLD CUP TITLE!

As someone who greatly believes in "HOPE" (via my H.O.P.E. Foundation), you know I loved this sign at today's World Cup Soccer Championship Game!!!

U-S-A!

U-S-A!

U-S-A!

BOOK SIGNING A HUGE SUCCESS

Wow, what a great day!

The book signing at Stupid Cupid was so much fun. I want to thank each and everyone of you that found time to come out and support Alex and myself. Alex Chambers was the guy that traveled to all 13 cities that has a WNBA team in it and visit with each team to learn more about what we as athletes/women go through on a daily basis. Alex then put all of his experiences in a book. I was so happy to team up with him today for the book signing. He is such a good person and wants nothing but the best for us as women as well as the WNBA. Super happy that he is truly a Mercury fan. (X Factor baby).

Again this was such a good day and I was honored and humbles by all of you the continue to support my book, "Meek Moments: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

Until next time,

Meek

GREAT ROAD WIN AND QUICK TRIP HOME TO PHOENIX

What a great team win today against a very talented Minnesota team. It was a very high scoring game 112-105, and it was a very exciting up tempo game. It was really good to see Seimone and I love the way she has bounced back from last year's injury. She is back to her old self and I am super happy for her. After our hard fought game my sister sent me this adorable picture. I am so excited to see them. Ja'niya is going to be a great big sister to her new brother Jayden. It was great day for me. Good win and a proud aunt.

Meek