the, or any story, of and around Spartacus is epic, albeit not actually Biblical, or historically factual.

and, if you’ve managed to catch: Spartacus – Blood and Sand on STARZ, you know it’s a visual, if not visceral, treat. there was also Spartacus – Gods of the Arena, and soon Spartacus – Vengeance, come January 2012, in the series. but, most shows are memorable, less so for the story, and more so for the charisma of an actor, or ensemble cast.

that was the case for Australian Andy Whitfield.

tragically, Whitfield left us with cancer to blame earlier this month.

oddly, I never met Whitfield. but, I won’t soon forget him. he was fun on Spartacus. but, evidently he was a much larger-than-life hero in the real flesh, and hopefully in the hearts, memories, and mirrors of his beautiful children. but, he has a rare opportunity to leave something behind that transcends grief. read the short story below with gratitude in your heart for an actor of no mean skill and a brilliant example to any parent:

Tragic actor Andy Whitfield’s widow has revealed how her brave husband broke the news he was dying to the couple’s two kids last week.

The Spartacus: Blood and Sand star lost his battle with cancer on 11 September, but had time to say goodbye to his children Jesse Red, six, and Indigo Sky, four.

His widow Vashti tells Australia’s The Telegraph, “(He said)”:

“I am going to go to sleep now as my body won’t work anymore. I am like a butterfly with broken wings… I will always be with you and will always be watching over you. I love you.”

there is that old Muslim maxim that allows: “there is the punishment in the promise, and the promise in the punishment.” to wit…

evidently Whitfields children look so much like him that his wife says:

“They can look in the mirror every day and see their dad.”

thank God my own daughters don’t look like me. but, I hope I can reflect the virtues enough of Whitfield to mirror such sentiment and earn a good memory in their hearts.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

I awoke today in rather good form.

with Haley Anne off to Sandestin for a week with one of her “other families”, Joanne and Emma Jo had indulged themselves with a in-family sleepover. this had me in the guest room with Rowdy happy at my feet.

I had a double cardio work-out. sleep, as always, had come easy and quickly for me, with dreams aplenty and vibrant. refreshed I began to focus on the day ahead my usual optimism had me thinking like Captain America.

today, you were supposed to be reading a different post, and certainly a different kind of posting. it’s called water Rescue! you will see that. but, after my morning, and what it portends, I’ve decided to stave that effort off for tomorrow.

there is perspective afoot, here.

with other events crowding my mind and teeming imagination (possibilities and opportunities abound) I entered “my SBUX” (Starbucks) off Bethany Road in Milton. there, things took a rather abrupt and uncomfortable turn with familiar, but unexpected cues.

“Homeless Guy” was in the corner nursing a coffee. he looks normal, just wary. but, he is a reminder that something is not quite right in our overly comfortable “horse country” community that seems so unfazed by economic turmoil.

I don’t know his story; why he is homeless?

we made eye contact, and I was faced with the fact that I did not like what I (thought or felt) I saw behind his gaze. I thought of a Dawn of the Dead movie. zombie movies and soft drinks are typically referred to as “dawn of the dead movies” and “cokes”, right?

I don’t know her name, and now that bothers me as well. but, “Ditzy” was manning the register. the routine is always the same. she asks the same question (one or two, today?”), yet seemingly ever taken by surprise by the answer (“always two”) 1/. she can be counted on to call me “Daniel”, and I (and, the Barista) long ago stopped trying to correct her.

but, why should she know my name when I don’t know hers?

that simple realization began to gnaw at me as well as she fumbled with the clear vente cups only to be waved-off by a teammate that had already begun to build my beverages when I breached the doorway.

no sooner had I settled into my Tundra for the quick ride to the offices when the announcer on WSB 95.5 (what is his name?) grimly advised me that another unnamed woman from Johns Creek had died of kidney cancer. and, as she slid into darkness her neighbors, and strangers (evidently everyone was a stranger) rifled through her belongings because they had been cast to the curbside by a relentless landlord bent on her eviction.

did she pass from light to dark, alone?

so… I’m sure God will, eventually, make it a bit more clear to me why I’m so sensitive to my community today. maybe I need to be more grateful for the incredible blessings that abound in my life. I’ve done some cool things in my day. most of it felt self-indulgent like what occurred in Sarajevo, being a fireman, coaching athletes – all that stuff.

but… is it possible I’m not doing enough for others?

how can I help you? what would “the Captain” do? how do we make today different, and build on that for tomorrow? is this another of my Kobayashi Maru? I’ll be channeling Captain Kirk this day, I reckon. heroes are needed. real, imagined, determined.

go listen to: Here’s to the Heroes by The Ten Tenors. just remember, we need heroes because there are victims amongst us. we just need to want to make a difference, in everyone’s lives.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

1/ I’m reasonably certain that every practiced SBUX barista between Gainesville and Peachtree City knows that my beverage of choice, practicality, and possibly, necessity, is an iced vente chai (whole milk with nine pumps of chai).

there is a lot of history driving why this video is important to me, Haley Anne (in blue kit) and what we’ve worked on together that represents being a Shocker, and a form of legacy. Haley Anne had to play-up an age-bracket (she is U14, but we have her designated as a developmental player for U16) to pull this off. and, she did is only feet from me (you’ll hear my exclamation of “I LOve It!!!).

we won this match, and in good form 3-0. that’s decisive at this level of play.

thank you Haley Anne. you remembered the face of your father.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

Haley Anne is home now. She is tough, but it’s really been a rough two weeks (although it feels like an eternity – especially for Joanne whom took the brunt on the parenting side). The test results came back in our collective favor. So, now the focus is getting back on her feet.

My best contribution was the attempt at keeping Emma Jo on pace.

In my prior post I had mentioned that Emma Jo wanted to skip school to be with “sissy” at the hospital. My dear friend Chip Brackley had asked a question as to how that played-out (his own family is currently expecting daughter number three – that lucky basterd).

Daddy and Emma Jo had a long talk (for an eight year old anyway) about how important it is to stay focused on school work so Mommy would not worry (and, of course being responsible, as well).

I don’t think she was impressed.

Then, of course, it was revealed that the underlying agenda was the hospital gift shop and it’s wide assortment of stuffed animals. This then led to bargaining that resulted in leveraging a good grade in social studies for a stuffed giraffe. Being the genius Emma Jo is she pulled-off a hat-trick (in Daddy’s eyes) with a solid grade, a visit to see sissy, and a trip to the gift shop (but, it was a large stuffed yellow lab to match her black at home).