Walk Like A Man (and Woman)

Walk, walk, walk, walk...

He said just
Walk like a man
Talk like a man
Walk like a man my son
No one's worth
Crawling on the earth
So walk like a man my son

I am traveling this week with a colleague from Europe. He's in his 30's, full of energy and ambition, and was always the first one to jump at the late night dinners, the after party, and the paparazzi (kidding). However, since the last time I saw him he's changed a bit. The change is subtle and unless you've known him for a while you may not notice, but I saw it immediately. He now has a 5 month old daughter. A daughter, who has unexpectedly captured his heart and changed a person from one who loved to travel the world for business to one who can't wait to get home and be a Daddy.

Depending on who you listen to, becoming a man has many definitions. They may be graduating from a university, moving out on your own, starting your career, getting married, etc. There is no doubt that all of these are stepping stones and the result of each displays who you are as a person. However, I believe a boy only truly becomes a man the first moment he holds his newborn child in his nervous arms, looks into its eyes, and suddenly realizes, "Wow!". At that moment, a man is born and his reason for living is discovered. From that day forward, he begins the walk.

I've also seen this in the eyes of my nephew who recently had a son. While he lives far away, we have been able to talk with him and his new family through the magic of Skype. The first time we chatted with him from our home on the East Coast I saw the spark. Behind the sleepy eyes of a new parent was a pride and power that shined. When he held his son up to the computer screen, the boy I used to babysit could still be seen, but was now in the background.  A father has arrived, fully prepared to take on the world and Walk Like A Man.

On February 20th at 8 AM my family will be doing something special.  We will be participating in the MDA Muscle Walk at the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.  Our team, Crowley Crusade, will walk laps inside the mall with many other MDA teams from across the Delaware Valley. We are committed to form a team of many walkers to join us that day and raise at least $3000.

To help accomplish this goal, you are invited to join our team and walk with us!  If you are unable to participate, please consider making a donation as every penny makes a difference towards helping the tens of thousands of people who live each day with neuromuscular disease.  You can donate or register to join the walk by visiting our team's site at:

https://www.joinmda.org/delvalmusclewalk/CrowleysCrusade.

If times are tough and you can't donate, please sign up and walk a few laps to show support not only for our girls, but for many children in our area who quietly fight their personal battles each and every day.  If you are far away, a simple note of encouragement on this blog would be greatly appreciated.

I cannot guarantee that you won't spend some money at the mall as I'm sure someone in my family will find something "on sale" once the walk ends and the mall opens.  What I can guarantee is for perhaps the first time, you will leave the mall richer than when you entered.  I promise you will meet other adults whose strength will impress you and children whose power will leave you inspired.  While not all of their legs will allow them to walk the distance, trust me when I tell you they will get there either on wheels or only in their hearts.

So whether you are a man or woman, have kids of your own, or are still building your future, the opportunity is there for everyone on February 20th to do something special.  If you're looking for me, I'll be at the mall hand in hand with my girls, my wife, and my son doing my best to show them what it means to ...

Walk like a man
Fast as I can
Walk like a man
Walk, walk, walk, walk

Thanks,
Matt

Credit to: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, "Walk Like A Man"