NVL: You had a lot of anger? DD: Yeah, my anger was really a result of my frustration. Frustration over no longer being a baseball player, frustration over what am I going to do next, frustration over how do I function now as a human being in this world without a left arm, frustration over, in some respects, not living up to who I was a Christian. It’s a very difficult thing, because there’s this expectation, whether it’s real or whether it’s something you just muster up in your own experience, that you’ve gotta look, act, talk a certain way, be a certain way in the midst of pain and suffering. But it just doesn’t work that way. NVL: So it was that 30 months after that you said, “You know what I need to tell my story. I need to give motivation to other cancer patients, and assure them that there is life beyond.” DD: I think it was in the middle of all of that, because speaking, it was an opportunity for me to make a living. It was an opportunity for me to provide for my family. It was an opportunity for me to begin telling my story, because I really didn’t want to be a speaker. I didn’t want to go in front of people and talk, I wanted to go in front of people and play. And so that was a very difficult challenge for me, but over time, I realized that this is a very important story, and people need to be encouraged. And they’ll hear it, they’ll listen. And the reason they’ll listen is because now, I’m no longer just a very successful baseball player up here (gestures with his hand to high above his head) but now I’ve been brought down to their level, the level of their own personal stories of pain and suffering, and so they’ll listen. NVL: So you were honored this summer by the Giants. What was that like? DD: It was surreal. It was a great experience; I mean they were celebrating the 25-year anniversary of my comeback game. And along with that, it was cancer awareness day, and it really ended up being really special. NVL: And you got a standing ovation. DD: It was unbelievable, the organization loves their alumni and they do a lot for them. Will Clark has Autism Day for his son who’s autistic, to help raise money for autism. And then Jefferey Leonard, who was a Giant, is also part of the alumni team, and he also has a cancer awareness day for his foundation that raises money to help people to be able to lessen their financial burden that are going through their struggle. And there’s Stand Up To Cancer, which is major league baseball’s big deal with cancer. So there’s a lot of things that the Giants engage with, on top of many, many, many other things related to really being aware and embracing every culture in the community as best they can. On Saturday, October 4, Napa Valley performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater will host “Mindful Celebration: A Day of Awareness.” This all-day workshop will renew your spirit through inspiring workshops on Minding Your Body, Minding Your Soul, and Mindful Parenting. Speakers include Dave Dravecky, Dr. Fred Luskin, and other leaders in the field of mindfulness, presented with Dr. Judith Caldwell. Participants will walk away reminded that a conscious world begins with conscious people. The day will begin with a general welcome in the Lincoln Theater at 9:30 a.m. Childcare drop off will be at 9 a.m. You may bring your own lunch to the theater, or enjoy a meal at a Yountville restaurant. The following five sessions will run from 10:15 a.m –11:45 a.m.: • “Forgiveness: There Is No True Healing Without It,” Fred Luskin, PhD. • “The Wisdom Found in Fairy Tales,” See Dave Dravecky and others at the “Mindfulness Celebration” Judith Caldwell, EdD, MST, MSP. • “How to Get Kids to Listen and Cooperate: The Secrets of the Mindful Parent,” Vickie Falcone, MA. * “Reading As A Mindful Activity for the Young Child,” Anne E. Cunningham PhD, reading specialist and professor. • “The Five Vajras of Tibetan Yoga: Empowering Yoga,” Lama Norbu, master of Tibetan yoga. The following five afternoon sessions will run promptly from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. • “Endurance from a Christian Perspective,” Dave Dravecky, former San Francisco Giants pitcher. • “Mindful Parenting of Teens,” Wynn Burkett, MBA, PCC and Ann Arora MFT. • “Mindful Eating and Positive Body Image,” Tamara Traeder, MFT. • “Meditation: The Hows and Whys,” Drs. Fred Luskin and Judith Caldwell. • “The Five Vajras of Tibetan Yoga: Empowering Yoga,” Lama Norbu. Speakers will be on hand throughout the day for private visits, consultations, and coaching sessions. They look forward to seeing you there! Tickets are now available for purchase by calling 707-944-9900 or at lincolntheater. org. Ticket price of $65 includes two workshop presentations: one in the morning from 10:15 am to 11:45 am and a second in the afternoon from 1:30 pm to 3 o’clock pm. Lunch break will be from 11:45 to 1:15. Parents are requested to pick up their children from childcare at 3 o’clock. The Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater is located at 100 California Drive in Yountville, California. 60 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine .com on October 4
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