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The Story Between The Lines

1/21/2017

5 Comments

 
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​Anybody that has read my blog in the past knows that I am a huge fan of the people that serve in our military. In particular, those that serve in the Special Operations community.
I served in the Navy, along with my wife, and I am a huge fan of the men that serve, or have served, as U.S Navy Seals.
I know that I run the risk of beating this to death, but there is one Navy SEAL in particular who's story I would find almost unbelievable if I didn't know it was true. That is of course Adam Brown's life, which is chronicled in the book FEARLEASS. He gave his life for our country in the Hindu Kush mountain of Afghanistan. Upon reading the book for the first time I sat at my computer wondering how I would get a hold of Adam's family to tell them how incredible his life was and how much reading FEARLESS meant to me. If you have read my blog, you know that I would eventually visit Adam's home town of Hot Springs Arkansas. I took diving lessons in order to dive an underwater memorial that was built to honor Adam. I would get to visit his high school where he played football and also pay my respects to him at his resting place. And last, but not least, I would get to meet Adam's family at a 5K run that was organized to honor Adam and to raise money for charities he believed in. All this I accomplished with the help of my friend, Will Stevens, who is the creator of the memorial. That being Fearless Rock!

Many of the people that have read my blog in the past know that there is more to the story. I am re-telling a part that is missing because without it being written the story is incomplete. It is the story that exists in between the lines. It's a story about a little Warrior Princess. Many other people have their own stories to tell about her and this story is mine. It is critical to include it because many of my activities on social media and the passion that I have for them exists due to the fact that I was made aware. And it was because of her that I was!
PictureAdam's statue at the veteran's memorial park.
I have used this illustration before but would like to use it once again.
Adam Brown was a Navy SEAL known as the Tender Warrior. PLEASE understand that I would never attempt to compare myself to him. I would rather submit that he is an example that any man should seek to follow. In the book FEARLESS, we have the example of Shoes. Shoes? Yes, Shoes!
It’s recorded that Adam was asked by his wife Kelley what he would like in a Thanksgiving care package and he said nothing for himself. Rather, he requested that she buy children’s sizes of shoes and socks and send them instead. You see he noticed, as it was getting colder, that all the kids that he was around at this time of his deployment were either barefoot or had flip-flop type shoes. By the time word passed from family members to different church congregations in the community, the amount of pairs of shoes and socks swelled into the hundreds. While Adam’s teammates were stuffing their rucksacks with extra grenades and ammo, Adam was stuffing his with shoes and socks for kids. So here was a Navy SEAL down on his knees with his rifle slung around his neck, teaching kids how to tie their new shoes! Read it for yourself.  

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The shoes!
​I could never compare myself to Adam and I am not trying to right now. However, I do have sensitivities when it comes to people with special needs and those who are facing, for example, terminal illness. That is why I can spend an endless amount of time reading about the American Military Warrior, all the while having a heart for little warriors who face difficult battles. 
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So existing in previous blog posts is the story that I have titled “My Fearless Adventure”. But the story as it is, is incomplete. I took two trips to the city of Hot Springs Arkansas to honor Adam Brown and his legacy. However, it was also to meet and honor a little girl that would go on to have a profound impact on my life. She would change my focus and to a large degree, my felt purpose for being on this planet.
​

And now, to the little warrior that changed my way of thinking and who made me look beyond myself. She is a Warrior and a Princess plus an Angel all wrapped into one! That fact inspired me to write this:

PicturePrincess A"Lice Brionne
There once was a royal princess named A"Lice Brionne. She was beautiful beyond description. She was not only a princess but she was a warrior too. She fought a brave battle against a terrible monster named Batten. This monster preyed upon the most innocent of beings. A"Lice Brionne would struggle through many battles and the monster would seek to destroy her. Even so, she would become victorious although assuming the title and position of a Most Beautiful Angel. Angel Ali as she had become, had others in her royal family. Princess Sophia and Prince William, just to name two.
Even though her mother could have cowered under the pressure of immense grief and despair at her loss, she bravely decided to continue the battle against this monster that would wage war against so many little warriors. Her mother continues to fight so that this monster called Batten Disease will be defeated, but she cannot win the battle alone. She needs an army of angels!
A"lice Brionne Vise (Angel Ali) fought bravely against Infantile Batten disease and was given her heavenly reward at age seven. Angel Ali lives on and actively inspires her earthly angels in the in the battle that continues!

PictureMe with the the team at Fearless Rock!
As I said at the beginning, I had taken diving lessons in order to dive an underwater memorial, dedicated to Adam, that is called Fearless Rock. I found out about Fearless Rock, and it's Facebook page, through another page that is dedicated to Adam. I was on the Fearless Rock page one day when I saw that Will Stevens, it's creator, had a post about a little girl and her mom. It was none other than Donya and her daughter Ali Vise.
It was Fearless Rock that led me to Ali’s page which is called Ali’s Angels. I was immediately taken aback by the pure beauty that flowed from the photos of Ali and Donya together. One look and I was done.
I should stop and tell you that I have a wonderful wife. I am proud to say that we have been married for 35 years now. I wear that like a badge of honor. She trusts me. I have shared almost every picture of Ali with her, as well as, significant verbal exchanges between me and Donya. I do this to keep myself accountable to her. I am the big Facebook person in the house but we are in this together. I have previously stated that it is because of my son Benjamin that I have a sensitivity to people with special needs. I have also said, half-jokingly, that I have a thing for little damsels in distress. So there you go, I said it again. I’m a guy who just keeps it real. And you know what? It's true!

PictureNone like her, although there are many others!
So I sent Donya a message saying hello and to tell her what a little doll Ali was. I also sent her a picture of Benjamin. Donya told me that she actually spent some of her high school years here in Oregon, which I thought was cool. After that first exchange, she sent me a friend’s request. The relationship between our families started to grow, although it was on-line. I know that each one of Ali’s Angels has their own story to tell. That is how our story began!
Our involvement with the Ali’s Angels begins there. There are so many people that got involved. We did our part as best we could. Outside of God and country, my family of course, I have never attempted to pour myself out like I had with Ali’s cause. We are not alone in this. There were and still are so many generous people involved. At its peak, the Ali’s Angels Facebook page had 134k likes. The number of likes on a Facebook page is not as important as the impact that it makes. Imagine how many of that number talked to friends and family about Batten disease! How much of an impact must have taken place in spreading awareness. I can also tell you that there are many a friendship that has begun because of Ali. I know this is true for those who have followed other of these little Batten warriors. These kids bring together people from all over the world through social media. Whether it be childhood cancer warriors, kids with Mito, DIPG, and other childhood diseases, people are drawn to these kids and as a result, drawn to each other.

Picture“Our fingerprints cannot be erased from the lives of those we have touched”
One thing has led to another. Because of the fact that one remarkable little girl made me aware, my life has changed. I want to be an advocate for kids with rare and fatal diseases. In fact I already am! I plan on talking more about my trips to Hot Springs as they relate to Ali and her family in my blog and the impact that this has all had on my life. I would rather though, that you see it as I continue to write. You see it was on the historic streets of downtown Hot Springs that Donya Catlett suggested that I blog about my desire to honor Adam Brown and to see Fearless Rock, the underwater memorial, first hand. I am a blogger today because of that exchange with her. However, I learned that I love to write because of expressing myself through Facebook posts about Ali, Donya and the battle that they faced against this monster called Batten disease. To some this may seem over the top, but I am including a post that I have saved. I titled it Fingerprints and it definitely conveys what I was feeling at the time I had written it:

​Fingerprints

I searched the internet for quotes on fingerprints and this one seemed to convey the thought that I would like to share:

“Our fingerprints cannot be erased from the lives of those we have touched”.

We were at church the other day where they were having a baby dedication for two families that had new little ones. I have witnessed countless dedications in the past and so this one was just another of many, no big deal. But as I listened to what was being said, thoughts of Ali and her family crept into my thinking and I began to well up with the emotion that should have been there to begin with.
I thought that this was surely the type of thing that Donya had envisioned for her life (forgive me, I know I am taking some liberties here). I think that it is very possible that she had desired a basic kind of existence in middle class suburbia, raising her two children in the church and watching them grow and prosper just as any parent would. But this, apparently, was not God’s complete plan for her.
She has expressed to all of us on several occasions how much she misses her Mini-Me, and who could blame her. I think all our hearts ache along with hers, although not to the extent that Donya’s and her family’s hearts must ache. But I believe in my heart that God has great things in store for this mom and family that we all care so much about.
As for Ali, she is doing MORE THAN just fine and I am amazed by the following that has been created by Donya’s desire to share this precious little girl’s life with all of us. Ali’s following has spread throughout these United States of America, and not only here in this country! I know of people in England, South Africa, Norway, and Puerto Rico, just to name a few. I am sure that there are others in far away places that I am not aware of. Together, we desire to keep Ali’s legacy alive and well. Some of us are near, and some of us are far away but we all stand by Donya and her family’s side with unending prayers and well wishes.

I guess my point in all this is that out of this devastating loss, a movement of followers has come about. Our lives are marked by the fingerprints of this little girl and they can NEVER be erased!!! I can’t overemphasize the point that this story is not yet finished and we all look forward to seeing what comes next! In the mean time….....we have these fingerprints.

And you know what? Ali's fingerprints will in fact never be erased from my memory nor will the impact of her little life on mine be forgotten. For me, Adam's and Ali's lives will always be intertwined in my consciousness. Two local hometown heroes. One amazing Tender Warrior and one amazing Warrior Princess. Both will continue to have an impact on the people of their hometown, as well as, the lives of people all over. And that would include mine!
I have more to write...
Until Then,
~Greg~

By the way. If you want to learn more about Ali and Batten disease, feel free to visit her page:
www.alisangels.org

5 Comments
will
1/21/2017 07:59:34 pm

Great Job Greg!!!

Reply
Greg Lopez
1/21/2017 08:00:40 pm

Thanks Will!!

Reply
Sandy Garrett
1/21/2017 08:30:49 pm

Very well done Mr Lopez

Reply
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5/28/2020 08:59:03 pm

Hello, Mr. Greg. Losing in general will always be a devastating that can happen to our lives that is why no one wants to experience that. I know the feeling because I've lost many people along the way and it was not easy. Only if we could do something for that person, we would always be willing to do that. But there are things that are beyond our control and the only thing we could do isa to observe and see what's happening. I am sure that it was painful part of your life, but I wish that you have overcome it already.

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    Hello Everyone!

    Meet the kids that changed my life. Yes, this is true! I have learned that it is important to look beyond ourselves and take notice. I've said that Kids that battle are the most special and the most amazing. I believe that this is true. They are strong and resilient, even if unaware of the plight that they are involved with. I first became aware of kids that battle Batten disease as I learned of one little girl who battled. She really caught my attention. I began to write through a series of events and have never looked back. Hidden in between the titles of all of the stories in this blog is my own story. These kids taught me how to write. I’ll never win an award but these kids taught me that I have a passion for sharing their stories with others. Now, I have branched out a bit to include some of the families whose lives have been changed by a child who battles MPS. Perhaps there will be other types of stories as time continues. I hope that you will take the time to look within. Thanks for taking the time. Your friend,
    ​
    Greg Lopez

    Concerning kids who battle Batten disease -

    ​
    Is it them or is it us? Is it the feelings that they produce in us or is it that there is something truly special about them? I think that the answer has to be all of the above. It is them, but they also do something to us. Once you give a little piece of your heart to these kids and their families, they come close to taking all of it. Let it happen!
    ​
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    Families Who Battle
    MPS -


    I would like to welcome to my blog the families that make up the various groups within the MPS community. I am grateful for every opportunity to write about those who battle an MPS disorder. So far, families that battle MPS1 and MPS3 are represented. This, of course, is alongside their special children. This is a labor of love that is extended to each one of you! Scroll down to see MPS family titles.
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    ​

    HOW THIS BLOG WORKS -

    Take the titles listed below and go to month and year listed in the archives. 
    ​
    ​Batten Family
    Titles -
    January 2017 - 
    *The Story Between The Lines
    ​February 2017 -
    *I Know Just Where You Are
    *My Kind Of Royalty
    March 2017 -
    ​*The Caring Type
    *Face to face: A Fairy-tale
    April 2017 -
    *No Ordinary Love
    ​*A Rare Friendship
    May 2017 -
    *Tyrell and The Rare Love Story
    June 2017 -
    *Seth and The Healing 
    July 2017 - 
    *Little John and The Reason 
    *Sands and The Scottish Princess 
    August 2017 - 
    *A Rare Kind of Devotion
    *The Giggle Box 
    September 2017 -
    *Austin Smiles
    *Sweet Montanna and the Status 
    October 2017 - 
    ​*The Blog About My Blog
    ​*Sebastian's Story
    November 2017 -
    *Lydia, I Love You!
    ​*Kayden And The Change In Plans
    December 2017 - 
    *Those That Are Like Them
    January 2018 -
    *Nora Skye - I Know Just Where You Are
    ​*Brock and The Priceless Memories
    February 2018-
    *Jamesy Boy and The Treatment

    March 2018-
    *The Priceless Princess From Beyond
    ​*Forever Royal - Part One
    April 2018-
    *Forever Royal - Part Two
    June 2018-
    *That Kind of Love - Conner's Story
    August 2018-
    *Lasting Impressions
    September 2018-
    *What I See (She is a Butterfly)
    ​October 2018-
    *No Longer Alone - Kristiina's Story
    November 2018-
    *Things We've Talked About - Oscar's Story
    ​*The Reason Why - Hannah's Story
    December 2018-
    *Kayla's Perfect Princess - Breanna's Story
    January 2019-
    *Where Do I Go From Here? - An information only blog
    February 2019-
    *Warriors Unaware - Mia and Kaleb
    April 2019-
    *Her Little Story
    May 2019-
    *Someone Like Raelynn
    *Forever Royal - The Final Version 
    August 2019-
    *Awfully Beautiful - The Life of Noah and Laine
    September 2019-
    ​*A Lifetime of Love - Tegen's Destiny
    December 2019-
    ​*Forever Beautiful - Gabi's Story
    January 2020-
    ​*The Miracle Baby - Amelia's Story
    March 2020-
    ​*Dylan's Life - A Small Town Story
    May 2020-
    ​*Princess Grace and the Challenges
    June 2020-
    ​*Anything for Tessa - Her Story
    September 2020-
    ​*Haley Bug's Battle - A Family Story
    November 2020-
    ​*Journey Unexpected - The Rich Family
    January 2021-
    ​*My Life, My Everything - Lydia Rose
    February 2021-
    ​*A Love That Hurts - Shashka's Story
    July 2021-
    ​*The Things Looked Forward to - Addy’s Story
    November 2021-
    ​*Love Complicated - Bailey Rae's Story
    ​
    April 2022-
    ​*So Many Questions - Evelyn's Story
    January 2023-
    ​*The Feelings They Produce - Violet's Story
    Sanfilippo Syndrome and other MPS family titles -
    July 2020-
    ​*The Beautiful Light of Haidyn Grace
    August 2020-
    ​*Any Distance Traveled - Reagan's Story
    ​September
     2020-
    ​*The Missing Someone - Kiernan's Story
    March 2021-
    ​*The Transformation - Victoria's Story
    April 2021-
    ​*Not by Accident - The Charlie Grace Story

    Archives -

    Use title listed above with the applicable month and year.

    January 2023
    April 2022
    November 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016




    Highlights from the beginning. When the blog was named gregster60.com - 

    Benjamin's Daddy - March and June of 2016  - Revised May 2017. Titled Benjamin's Daddy Revised.

    My Fearless Adventure - April and May of 2016

    A Different Type of Warrior - January 2017

    Letter to
    ​Larry -
     February
     2017


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