Confine Yourself to the Present
/Well, the last three months have been a whirlwind—an emotional ride filled with highs and lows, joy and heartache, celebration and reflection.
March and April have always been special months for our family, overflowing with birthdays and memories. March 3rd is Gordon’s birthday—a date that now carries both pain and pride. It’s also shared with his Godmother Debbie, his Grandma Barbara, and Grandpa Big Al. His fiancée, Lisa, even shares a birthday with me. April follows with the birthdays of all our nieces and his little sister, Caitlin. These moments, once so ordinary, now feel sacred.
This spring, we honored Gordon in a way that felt worthy of him. We held the Gordon James Corsetti Memorial Lacrosse Tournament, raising over $20,000 in his name. It was powerful, healing, and filled with community. Adding to that, Gordon was inducted into the Georgia Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. His legacy continues to shine, and I couldn’t be prouder.
On the field, my own lacrosse team saw an up-and-down season end in a tough playoff loss. And after six years together, my trusted Defensive Coordinator is moving on to a new opportunity. Coaching is filled with transitions, but that one will sting.
At home, there was light and accomplishment too. Caitlin was promoted at work after pouring herself into her goals with grace and persistence. Her husband Nick is pursuing his Master’s at Georgetown University. We celebrated Easter, Mother’s Day, and our Anniversary surrounded by love—with Caitlin, Nick, his Mom & Dad, and Aunt Kerri by our side.
This past weekend, we closed our lacrosse season with our team banquet—a time for heartfelt thanks to parents, coaches, and the volunteers who pour so much into these young athletes. I’ve done dozens of these events over the years, but they never get easier. They're filled with emotion: joy for the seniors whose time has come, pride for the first-time lettermen and award winners, and deep admiration for the kids who grew into themselves one practice, one game at a time.
Working with young people is a gift. You see their potential before they do. And if you're lucky, you get to play a small part in shaping the kind of character they’ll pass on to others.
Gordon believed in the teachings of Marcus Aurelius—he found strength and peace in Stoic philosophy. Aurelius wrote of confined attention to the present, of living with virtue, and of not being consumed by things like birthdays or celebrations, but by how we live and who we become. That mindset helped Gordon find purpose and clarity. I think of it often.
In my office sits a sign—simple but powerful—given to Gordon by his dear friend and mentor Kevin Forester. I remember when Kevin gave it to him at a Navy football game we attended together, and the joy it brought to Gordon’s face. That sign now hangs on my wall, surrounded by photos, awards, and keepsakes that carry the weight and wonder of Gordon’s life. (PS if you need a cool College Sign, Pro Team or any sign really let me know and I will connect you with Kevin)
Some days I wonder what will happen to all of these things when I’m gone. But then I hear Gordon whisper back with Aurelius’ quiet wisdom:
"Confine yourself to the present."
And so, I try.
Grateful for the past. Anchored in the now.
Forever honoring my son.
For those of you that need help please see the resources below:
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for help. In an emergency, please call 911.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health concerns, visit the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) website, or call 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).
For confidential treatment referrals, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357).
Please consider donating to the Gordon J. Corsetti Mental Agility Foundation to help us keep Gordon’s legacy alive.
