I want to tell you a story about a friend of mine. Political correctness says Im not supposed to call her special, but thats what she is to me. Special. Her name is Olivia. Shes a runner and shes a fighter and shes a champion at both.Olivia ran like the wind, past the prejudice and doubt that accompanies autism for so many and with a fundamental perspective as vibrant as the New York skyline she so loved. Her spirit nourished all within her garden. All the while, she fought cancer and uncertainty without yield, by example, without complaint.That was Olivias fightin style: graceful.In the past 18 months she redefined bravery for me and for millions of people across the globe.Its difficult to articulate spiritual depth, passion and compassion. The measurability and impact of those emotions is subjective. No two people react precisely the same way by a single action. But when we are all moved emotionally to some degree, and when we all recognize that emotion to be deeper than we can define, it is unique and rare.And it is an awakening. It is a unifying force.That was the joy with which Olivia infused all whom she met -- and scores she would never meet -- since July 2015. Olivia had autism, but autism didnt define her. Not for me, anyway. Shed long been told by healthcare providers shed never live alone or hold a job. Neither she, nor her parents, Judy and Dan, would suffer those fools.Olivia achieved both, by the way.Joy, compassion, boundless love and indomitable will are the traits that comprise Olivias legacy. She lived those traits. And she taught us to live them, too.Olivia Quigley, 25, died in the early morning hours of Nov. 8, 2016. The breast cancer shed so tirelessly battled spread and finally took her body.Her soul and the lessons it provided are eternal. Few individuals display their souls while theyre here. Olivia had that rare gift. She was a human unifying force. And she shared that gift with me.I met her in the University of California Riverside track stadium on a hot July day last summer. She was sitting on an aluminum bench, stretching her legs. She was bald and seated alone, and I was intrigued. So I walked over and sat with her and asked why she was over there all by herself.She explained that she was exhausted. Perplexed, I asked why. And how. Practice for the Special Olympics World Games had only just begun.She said one word: chemotherapy. Time stopped. Shed battled Stage IV breast cancer for months, but she wouldnt be denied the opportunity to run at the World Games. Nothing short of death would deny her that. So she quit chemo and got on a plane from Wisconsin to Los Angeles.Thats where our friendship began. During the week that followed that chance meeting she won two gold medals. On her shoulders she carried years of emotion from her peers with every stride, though she didnt know it. She gave a voice and a face to what those with intellectual disabilities can do.When she reached the finish line each time she nearly crumbled in exhaustion, the smile on her face masking years of frustration at being told, cant. Olivia didnt believe in cant, and I adore her for that. I always will. Above that, I adore her for her treatment of others.Her intentions were always genuine. Her perspective was always just and sweet. Olivia knew no judgment of others. She was not superficial. We did not small talk or feel each other out or search for reasons why the conversation mattered.It just mattered. We can all learn a lot from that.Theres a George Strait song entitled I Saw God Today. Its premise is a musical reminder of how much wonder there is all around us, all the time, provided were open-hearted and open-minded enough to recognize it and accept it and appreciate it.Theres an adage about beauty in simplicity, and gracious is it accurate and powerful. Olivias mother, Judy, shared that concept with me about her daughter: Olivias perspective was so simple, and therefore, in a fractured world, so profound.Olivia is the consummate example of the Special Olympics power and impact. Judy once told me there were times when Olivia was very frustrated in life, and that her experience at World Games helped quell that. It infused her with self-confidence. And in turn it enabled the Quigleys to speak as adults. Thats the power of sports. Thats when sports matter. Sports helped improve a familial dynamic.Grace is omnipresent, but it demands awareness. Maybe its a smile from a stranger that improves your mood. Maybe its a guy letting you into traffic that offers the precious moments needed to arrive on time. Maybe its help changing a tire or watching the kids while you run out for an errand or forgiveness for stupid mistakes.Maybe its a simple hello. All of that is grace. And its God.Judy sent me a note Tuesday morning regarding Olivias passing. She wanted me to know that Olivia considered me a good friend, and that shed created a brief last will. Within that will, there were instructions to send her 100-meter gold medal to me.I weep every time I think about her considering that.Olivia was completely devoid of preconceived notion or political gain or self-absorption. She was a spitfire. Genuinely. And when I sat down on that bench that day, I saw God.And Ill take that with me for all my days. Nike Air Vapormax 2019 Zalando . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Air Max 95 Scontate . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. http://www.airmaxoutletscontate.it/ . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Air Max Scontate Uomo . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Air Max 720 Scontate . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. PRIDDIS, Alberta -- Ariya Jutanugarn had five birdies in a six-hole stretch and shot an 8-under 64 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the Canadian Pacific Womens Open.A week after withdrawing from the Rio Olympics because of a left knee injury, the 20-year-old Thai star played 20 holes Friday at Priddis Greens. She bogeyed the par-5 18th for a 68 in the completion of the delayed first round, then made eight birdies in her bogey-free second round.I just had to rest and take care of my knee, Jutanugarn said. After that, I feel like just play golf. It didnt feel like anything changed.South Koreas In Gee Chun and Northern Irelands Stephanie Meadow were tied for second. Chun closed birdie-eagle for a 67. Meadow had a 69. The former Alabama player had a seven-hole stretch without a par, making three straight birdies, three straight bogeys and a par.Its a rough little stretch there in the middle, and I just kind of had to pull myself together. Meadow said. I definitely saved myself on the back nine with my short game. It wasnt pretty, but I got it done, and thats what golfs about.Three-time champion Lydia Ko was four strokes back, and Canadian star Brooke Henderson was eight behind.I played pretty solid the last few days, Ko said. Hoped for a few more putts to drop, but its just really tough out there with some pins being tucked and on little slopes. ... Theres still a lot of golf to be played.In the event before the Olympics, Jutanugarn won the Womens British Open for her fourth victory of the year. She won three straight tournaments in May, and shares the tour victory lead with the top-ranked Ko with four.The second-ranked Jutanugarn began the second round with birdies on Nos. 1 and 2, ran off four straight on Nos. 17-2 and added birdies on Nos. 4 and 8 to get to 12 under. Hammering 2-iron and 3-wood off the tee, Jutanugarn hit all 14 fairways in the second round.I dont think its like so good, my game, Jutanugarn said about the tree-lined course. Because to me its a little bit narrow and I cant hit my driver. But right now I feel more confident because I can hit my iron on the fairway and my 3-wood on the fairway.She considered skipping the tournament to get another week off.But I feel like Im OK, Jutanugarn said. I wanted to see how Im feeling. But after like Monday, it didnt hurt that much.dddddddddddd Today, its getting a lot better.Ko shot a 69, making four straight birdies in the middle of the round.She has won the event three of the last four years, the first two as an amateur. The 19-year-old New Zealander won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, 4 months to become the LPGA Tours youngest winner and fifth amateur champion. She successfully defended her title in 2013, winning by five strokes in Edmonton. Last year back at Vancouver as a pro, she beat Stacy Lewis in a playoff.Ko was second in Rio, five strokes behind Inbee Park.South Koreas Sei Young Kim (67), Hyo Joo Kim (67), Mi Jung Hur (69) and Chella Choi (71) matched Ko at 8 under.Henderson dropped a stroke in the completion of a first-round 72 and had a double bogey on the par-3 eighth -- her 17th -- in a second-round 68. The 18-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ontario, beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Womens PGA Championship for her first major title, and successfully defended her Cambia Portland Classic title in early July.I had massive crowds today and it was so much fun to play in front of them, Henderson said. I kind of felt their energy, and I got it to minus 6 at one point today and was feeling pretty good. Unfortunately, I had a couple of mistakes coming in.Alena Sharp (70) and Maude-Aimee Leblanc (69) topped the Canadians at 6 under.Its always good to see the Canadian flag on the leaderboard no matter where we are, but definitely this week, Sharp said. I know in the past weve done well as a group, the Canadians, so its nice to see halfway through weve got some people up there. Hopefully we can continue it on the weekend.Sharp shot 68-70, and Leblanc 69-69.Canadian amateur Jaclyn Lee was 5 under after a 70. The Calgary player is a sophomore at Ohio State.These past two days have been really fun, incredible, Lee said. Just a great experience. Its been a bonus on top of that to play well.Lewis was 5 under after a 72. Coming off a tie for fourth in Rio, the 11-time tour champion is winless in 57 starts since June 2014. Michelle Wie made the cut on the number with rounds of 71 and 72. Cheap JerseysWholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '