Surprise Winner at Terra Linda Orca Annual Awards Dinner

This past weekend, Saturday Sept. 10 at the annual Terra Linda Orca Awards Dinner I was completely overwhelmed for the second year in a row. 

No, it wasn’t the pizza and beer.  Last year my then 9-year-old daughter Skylee won most improved swimmer for her category, Under 8 Girls.  I muffled tears and sobs I was so happy for her as she accepted her trophy.  She worked extremely hard and was an incredibly good sport all year.  I could not have been more proud and I know it’s an award she will always remember, a true building block in her life. 

This year the Memorial Jim Moon Parent Volunteer award went to someone who I felt really could have done more.  I didn’t feel like he went the extra mile around the pool when others stepped up.  There were times he marveled at the other parents who gave so selflessly to the program and their kids.  Sure he did his volunteer duty as mandated by the Orca guidelines and sometimes he occasionally lent a hand when not asked.  But did he really deserve Volunteer Parent of the Year? 

When the Orca President Brian McDaniel began talking about this year’s Parent Volunteer winner my body went numb.  Brian started talking about the 2011 winner’s work on Patch, and I knew it was me.  This year there were 139 families with over 200 Orca swimmers, and I was being honored with this annual award that had been established back in the mid '90s.  I couldn’t believe it.  In large part the award was given based on the spirit I brought to the club through my writing on Patch. 

Back at my seat with the very large Jim Moon trophy in front of me an older gentleman named Gary introduced himself to me.  He told me he had been with the Orcas since 1975 and wanted to let me know that what I’d written about the Orcas throughout the past season in his opinion was one of the best things to happen to the Orcas in all his time with them.  I was stunned, and again close to tears.  I muttered thanks, still feeling less than worthy and in disbelief. 

‘Of the Year’ awards don’t come around often in a person’s life and should never be taken lightly.  To say that receiving any such honor is really an understatement.  A decade ago I earned Employee of the Year at Enterprise Events Group here in San Rafael mostly by designing and developing database processes that made us a more efficient organization.  That was back before I began my real estate career, and it was the only similar award I’ve ever earned. 

What makes this award so special to me is that fact that I received it by doing things I truly love.  I really love being involved with my daughters and being part of their lives with the Orcas.  I love writing.  Writing about my daughters in general and being their father in particular.  To receive this award through those efforts could not be more gratifying. 

Thank you Orcas.  Thank you Skylee and Sabrina.  Thank you Patch.