I write tonight in honor of quiet { and not so quiet} excellence. The kind of greatness that is not seen on you tube, or gone viral in social media. The kind of integrity that never backs down and maintains  a code of honor that seems to be passing now from this world. Indeed, as Doc moves on , an era passes.  For me, his departure , of course, brings reflection, and floods of memories . Doc was my trainer in the days of high school athletics , and also for years past that - always offering advice about my workouts and injuries. Many an injury , and also those of my children, were taped up by Doc the expert.  I am told that I  hold the title of being one of the few students who stood up to Doc- haha no one tells Doc what to do-   the day of the soccer playoffs when he told me I had broken my toe and couldn't get back on the field. I still can smell the training room, hear the water bubbles from the whirlpool, feel his hands on my foot.  I can still feel my fervor - strong enough to tell one of the men I most respected - that I was going to play.  Doc wasn't as tough as he portrayed, and his eyes had sparkled as he shook his head and taped my foot { so tight I think the circulation left my foot}. I felt him watch me as I left the training room to get back on the field. Being Tom Blackburn's daughter helped me win the debate, for sure. Throughout my life since then, he has been there. " Hey Trace" I can hear his voice.  And in the times when I would stumble, somehow he happen to be at my parents' house, or at a function, and would ask how I was. " Hang in there." he would say in his raspy voice. It didn't matter if I hadn't seen him for years. he would always be the same. And even though he came off gruff, you knew he cared. He cared so deeply, about his work, his family, his friends, my dad, my family, and me.  A little man in stature, a large force of energy. A symbol. An Icon. A part of my story. A part of so so many stories.  The athletic world is ever changing, but there will be other trainers, back in the rooms far away from the media, taping and icing the athletes whose names we know.  Maybe now Doc can be whispering in their ears, telling them what to do. That would be  a good thing! For there will not ever be another Doc Samko.  Love you, Doc.  The following is from an email sent by Worcester Academy:    STATEMENT FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ON THE PASSING OF DOC SAMKO  Worcester Academy announces the passing of longtime athletic trainer and special assistant to the athletic director William C. "Doc" Samko at the age of 95.  Our condolences go out to his family and his many, many friends. Doc was an unforgettable character to the thousands of people whose lives were affected positively and even transformed for having known him.  Our memories of Doc, the stories he told about his life experiences and the stories we all tell about him will fill our lives with joy always, even in this time of extraordinary sadness.   Doc, we love you.  You will be deeply missed by all of us - colleagues, alumni, and students - here at WA. Ronald M. Cino 'DOC' REMEMBERED AS 'TREASURE FOR US ALL' Longtime beloved Worcester Academy athletic trainer and special assistant to the athletic director William C. Samko died today at the age of 95. Known as "Bill" to some, though "Doc" to most, he began at the Academy in 1967, eventually serving as special assistant, a post he held starting in 2004.  Remembered as a friend to all, Doc only recently stopped coming into the office. A tireless advocate for Worcester Academy athletics, Doc Samko was a pioneer in his field, helping to establish the first state and national standards for athletic trainers.  He was a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where he worked prior to coming to Worcester Academy, and once served as an associate professor in orthopedics and physical rehabilitation at UMass Medical School. He had a master's degree in education and pioneered the use of molded padding by athletes so that they could return to play with protection. He led the way for the establishment of the National Athletic Trainers Association, of which he is a charter member, in 1970. In the early-70s, Doc collaborated with his close friend, Dr. Paul V. Shannon '31, forming one of the first, if not the first, orthopedic and physical therapy teams in the country. Working together, these two specialists were pioneers in a new specialty, known today as Sports Medicine. While at Holy Cross, Doc helped the likes of Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, and other greats of that era and was the trainer for the 1947 Holy Cross national basketball championship team. Doc started at Worcester Academy under then-athletic director and boys basketball coach Donald E. "Dee" Rowe '47 and went on to work under succeeding WA athletic directors Thomas Blackburn and Edward Reilly. Altogether, Doc served the Academy for 47 years. Each of the men offered their fondest remembrances of Doc. Dee Rowe, who currently serves as special assistant to the head of school at Worcester Academy, left WA in the 1970s to coach basketball at UConn. He has always maintained the close relationships that he formed at the Academy; perhaps none closer than the friendship he had with Doc.  "It's a very tough loss of a man who was truly a treasure for all of us," said Dee. "He loved wearing the Worcester Academy uniform and he was totally committed to the kids, their games, and to building their lives. He made a difference for all who were privileged to know him. "He loved the Academy," Dee said. "He loved his profession, and he loved Holy Cross, the city of Worcester, his wife, Justine, and their family." Doc's wife, Justine Samko died last year at the age of 87. "There will never be another like him," Dee said, emphasizing his words. "I will forever cherish our special bond." Former AD and baseball coach Tom Blackburn said Doc will be greatly missed, though Tom said he was blessed to have been able to call Doc both a colleague and a friend.  "He will be remembered because he touched the lives of so many people in so many ways in life," Tom said. "I had so much admiration for him because of the type of person he was. He was a very caring person and a lot of people looked up to him and went to him for advice," he added. "I'll miss him as a friend and as a former colleague." Current Director of Athletics Ed Reilly said Doc has positively impacted the lives of a generation of Worcester Academy students and families.  "His passing marks the end of a cherished link between our past and our present," said Ed. "While the memory of Doc will mean different things to different folks, most would agree that there was no finer professional, no one more loyal to cause, and, certainly, no one more unwavering in his devotion as a friend. "Doc was an icon who will be sorely missed, but who will always be celebrated as a pioneer in his profession, a devoted husband and father, and as an individual who fully understood and embraced the concept of being the consummate team player." While Doc left an indelible mark on the Academy and all who knew him, he was equally well regarded by athletic trainers everywhere, by fellow educators, and by industry leaders. Among the accolades he earned over the years were induction into the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame (1986), the Worcester Academy Hall of Fame (1991), the St. Peter-Marian High School Hall of Fame (2006), the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (2006), and the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts Hall of Fame (2009). Additional honors include the National Athletic Trainer's Association's first 25-Year Service Award, and the association's Award of Appreciation (1976), the Kerkor Kassabian Award for Athletic Trainer of Massachusetts (1996), and the All American Football Foundation Outstanding Trainer Award (2000). He was the New England Basketball Association's Trainer of the Year in 1966, and, at the same time, headed the committee for the Licensure of Massachusetts athletic trainers. In 2004, the William "Doc" Samko Scholarship was established at WA by Doc's friends and family to honor his 40-plus years of service to the Academy. It is awarded annually to a deserving student-athlete with demonstrated financial need.

Evolution. Its what we do.

A Lot of us have been feeling as if we are racing to complete tasks, and projects in time for a deadline . We have taken classes, and done teacher trainings, immersed ourselves into studies and attunements, etc, learning, doing.  This has been the energy since last December really. a lot has been turned upside down { AGAIN}  and now here we are.
Solstice energy. This solstice marks the beautiful " ending" { haha if there is one thing w shave learned - there is no ENDING... just changing flow.}  to this DEADLINE phase.  Take a breather right here, these days before the 21st- Summer Solstice. Pat yourself on the back or give yourself a HIGH FIVE for being here, being you, doing your thing.
Relax.
" IT" is all happening . " IT" is happening no matter what you do.
We are in a spiritual evolutionary phase that is just amazing- rocky, crazy, wrenching, awesome etc. WE have been chugging along evolving for.. how many years?  millions? As humans, well not so long, but still, this is what we do. Evolve.
It is just that right now,  not only are we aware, we are being made privy to the workings of the universe! and that we ARE the Universe. Ohhhhhhh, no wonder why we feel like we are on a roller coaster.
Relax.   You are not your thoughts. Your thoughts are the ones that are attaching the meanings to what is going on. Watch those thoughts. Be aware of those thoughts. They are powerful now in your manifesting the life you desire. But you are not those thoughts.
You are right where you should be.
Whether you " made the deadline" or not.
It is all part of a wonderful dance of planets and beings and life oh my. Energy and divinity and change. The constants , the center , the balance within the vortex. The swirl, the calm.
Evolution.
Its what we do.
Its how we roll.
Its how we shine.
SHINE ON!
Love,
Tracey

Many people were going on  a trip. Each one was invited to choose a vehicle in which they would travel during their trip. They could pick any vehicle they desired, depending on where they were going, what their goals were, what they planned t do on this trip.
" Ahh, " said the first person. " I will pick this shiny new sports car. I have many places to go, and I need small and fast!
" I need this big van," said the next. " I am going to be helping many along the way, and need a large vehicle.
" Ohh, " said another, " I just do not know. I will just take this worn out jalopy . Noone else will drive this. I will spend my time fixing it up.
Each one chose a vehicle in which to travel. The choices were sometimes similar, but all vehicles were different. Each one was unique to the person's purpose, feelings, lessons, desires and beliefs. No one vehicle was any better or worse than another, no one vehicle was good or bad.

The body we live in is the vehicle we have chosen for this lifetime. Many times we loathe ourselves, we watch our bodies change and grow, and age. Our bodies respond to how we live. Our bodies are the most amazing vehicles, temples, homes.

Remember, when you are struggling with some pain, illness, overweight, underweight, aging, fatigue............ this is the vehicle you chose, before you came on this journey. Trust that your choice was a purposeful one. Trust that this expression of yourself is divine, and beautiful!

Now, you are in the driver's seat. Where will your journey take you?