Book Review from Rick’s Library: Lucky Every Day by Chip Silverman

⏱️ 14 min read                           

What if I told you a woman with inoperable brain cancer, paralyzed and given months to live, called herself the luckiest person she knew—and proved it on a national championship field? My book review dives into the book, ‘Lucky Every Day’ by Chip Silverman, the unforgettable story of coach Diane Geppi-Aikens—and the wisdom she left us all.

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Welcome to That's Life, I Swear. This podcast is about life's happenings in this world. that conjure up such words as intriguing, frightening, life-changing, inspiring, and more. I'm Rick Barron, your host. 

That said, here's the rest of this story

1. The Abstract of the Book

Lucky Every Day: The Wisdom of Diane Geppi-Aikens, is a moving collection of twenty life lessons drawn from the extraordinary journey of Diane Geppi-Aikens, the legendary women's lacrosse coach at Loyola College of Maryland. Written by Chip Silverman and published in 2004, this inspirational work captures the essence of a woman who transformed tragedy into triumph and suffering into wisdom. The book chronicles the remarkable story of a single mother of four kids who, while battling inoperable brain tumors for eight years, continued to coach her nationally ranked team with unwavering dedication and an infectious spirit of gratitude.

At its core, this book is not merely about sports or even about cancer—it's about the human capacity to find meaning, purpose, and even joy in the face of devastating circumstances. Through a series of short, impactful chapters, Silverman weaves together memories, anecdotes, and testimonials from Diane’s former players, colleagues, and family members, creating a tapestry of inspiration that transcends the boundaries of athletics. 

The narrative follows Diane through her diagnosis in 1995, subsequent surgeries in 1997, 1998, and 2001, and her final inoperable diagnosis in December 2002, when doctors gave her only months to live. Despite being partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair during her final season, she missed only one game while coaching her team to a number-one national ranking and leading them to the NCAA Championship Final Four.

What makes this book particularly powerful is its central paradox: here was a woman facing the most devastating circumstances imaginable, yet she consistently referred to herself as "lucky," and remarkably, convinced her players to see her the same way. This perspective shift—from victim to victor, from unfortunate to fortunate—forms the philosophical backbone of the entire book. 

The twenty lessons presented are not abstract platitudes but rather concrete wisdom forged in the ordeal of real suffering and genuine triumph. Each chapter explores a different facet of Dianes’ philosophy, covering themes such as gratitude, perseverance, living in the present moment, the power of attitude, building meaningful relationships, and finding purpose beyond oneself. The book serves as both a memorial to an extraordinary individual and a practical guide for anyone seeking to live with greater intention, resilience, and grace, regardless of their circumstances.

2. About the Author

Howard Burton "Chip" Silverman brings a unique and multifaceted perspective to this biographical work, combining his backgrounds in public health, sports, and storytelling to create a tribute that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Holding impressive academic credentials including a Ph.D., M.P.H. (Master of Public Health), M.S., and C.A.S. (Certificate of Advanced Study), Silverman's professional life has been marked by diverse accomplishments that position him perfectly to tell Dianes’ story with both scientific understanding and emotional depth.

Before becoming an author, Silverman served as the head of the Maryland Drug Abuse Administration, a role that gave him profound insight into human struggle, resilience, and recovery—themes that would later permeate his writing about Dianes' battle with cancer. His work in public health administration exposed him to countless stories of individuals facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, preparing him to recognize and articulate the exceptional nature of Dianes’ journey. Additionally, Silverman's involvement in athletics is particularly noteworthy: he coached the NCAA's only African-American college lacrosse team, an experience that gave him a firsthand understanding of the transformative power of coaching and the unique relationship between coaches and their players.

As an author, Silverman has written five books, demonstrating his versatility across genres and subjects. His other works include "Diner Guys," which follows the lives of individuals immortalized in Barry Levinson's iconic film "Diner," and "Ten Bears," which recounts his experiences coaching that groundbreaking African-American lacrosse team—a book that was optioned as a major motion picture for Warner Brothers. 

His bibliography also includes "The Chemical Girl," "The Block," "Aloha Magnum," and "The Last Bookmaker," showcasing his ability to capture diverse American experiences with authenticity and heart. Silverman's Baltimore roots connect him deeply to the setting of Geppi-Aikens' story, and his connection to the lacrosse community gave him unique access to the players and colleagues who provide the testimonials that form the heart of "Lucky Every Day." 

His approach to writing is characterized by a keen ability to find universal truths in specific stories, making regional tales accessible and meaningful to readers everywhere. In crafting this tribute to Diane Geppi-Aikens, Silverman drew upon all these experiences—his public health expertise, his coaching background, his storytelling skills, and his understanding of the Baltimore community—to create a work that honors an extraordinary life while providing practical wisdom for readers facing their own challenges.

3. What Drew My Interest in Reading This Book?

My journey to discovering "Lucky Every Day" began with a fundamental question about human resilience: what enables some individuals not merely to survive devastating circumstances but actually to thrive within them? In our contemporary culture, we are constantly bombarded with messages about overcoming adversity, about positive thinking, and about gratitude practices. Yet so much of this advice feels hollow or superficial when confronted with real tragedy. 

When I first heard about Diane Geppi-Aikens—a woman who referred to herself as "lucky" while dying of inoperable brain cancer—I was intrigued. This wasn't toxic positivity or denial; this was something altogether different and more profound. I wanted to understand how someone could genuinely maintain that perspective while facing their own mortality, and, more importantly, whether there were lessons in her story that could be applied to the smaller challenges we all face.

Like many people, I've experienced periods where life feels overwhelming, where the accumulation of stresses—both major and minor—can make it difficult to maintain perspective. The idea that someone facing terminal illness, paralysis, and the prospect of leaving four children without a mother could still find reasons to feel fortunate challenged my own tendencies toward self-pity and complaint. I was drawn to this book because it promised not just inspiration but a roadmap—twenty specific lessons that emerged from real experience rather than abstract philosophy. 

Additionally, the athletic dimension of the story appealed to me. Sports, at their best, teach us about discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and grace under pressure. The fact that Geppi-Aikens continued coaching at the highest level while battling her illness suggested that her wisdom wasn't just theoretical but was tested daily in the ordeal of competitive athletics.

Furthermore, I was attracted to the book's structure as a collection of memories and testimonials from those who knew Diane. This approach promised multiple perspectives and authentic voices rather than a single narrator's interpretation. I wanted to hear from the players whose lives she touched, to understand how her philosophy translated into practical mentorship and lasting impact. 

Finally, on a personal level, I was interested in exploring the role of attitude in determining quality of life. If Diane could maintain gratitude and purpose during her final years, what excuse did I have for allowing minor setbacks to diminish my own sense of fortune? This book represented an opportunity to learn from someone who had faced the ultimate test and emerged—at least spiritually and emotionally—victorious.

4. What Can We Learn from This Story? What's the Takeaway?

The lessons embedded in "Lucky Every Day" extend far beyond the realm of sports or even terminal illness—they offer a comprehensive philosophy for living with intention, gratitude, and impact regardless of our circumstances. Perhaps the most fundamental takeaway is the transformative power of perspective. Dianes’ insistence on being "lucky" despite her dire circumstances wasn't denial or delusion; it was a conscious choice to focus on what remained rather than what was lost. She had her children, her team, her purpose, and her ability to make a difference in others' lives. This reframing teaches us that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we retain absolute sovereignty over how we interpret and respond to them. The question "How would you play today if you knew you could not play tomorrow?"—a slogan she used for her team—encapsulates this urgency to approach each day with full presence and commitment.

A second critical lesson involves the relationship between adversity and authenticity. Dianes’ illness stripped away any pretense or superficiality, forcing her to focus on what truly mattered: relationships, purpose, and legacy. Her story challenges us to ask ourselves what we would prioritize if we knew our time was limited. Would we spend more time with loved ones? Would we pursue work that genuinely matters to us? Would we let go of petty grievances and focus on what's truly important? We don't need a terminal diagnosis to begin living with this clarity—we can choose it now. The book also illustrates the profound impact one person can have through genuine care and investment in others. 

The story further teaches us about the nature of true strength and courage. Diane demonstrated that courage isn't the absence of fear or pain but the willingness to continue pursuing what matters despite them. She showed up—literally wheeling herself onto the field—when she could have justifiably withdrawn. This presence, this refusal to let her illness define the boundaries of her contributions, speaks to a kind of defiance against circumstances that we all can cultivate. Additionally, the book reinforces the importance of community and allowing others to support us. Diane didn't face her illness in isolation; she remained connected to her team, her players, and her community, allowing them to draw strength from her while also receiving their support. 

Finally, perhaps the most enduring takeaway is about living in alignment with our values regardless of outcomes. Diane set two goals during her final months: to see her son graduate from high school and to coach her team to the national championship. She achieved the first and came heartbreakingly close to the second, with her team reaching the Final Four. But the real victory wasn't measured in wins or losses—it was in her unwavering commitment to showing up, giving her best, and making a difference in the lives of others until her very last day. 

She passed away on June 29, 2003, just one month after her son's graduation, having lived her final chapter with extraordinary purpose and grace. For readers of any age or circumstance, "Lucky Every Day" offers this invitation: to recognize the gifts present in our lives right now, to approach each day with the urgency and commitment it deserves, and to measure our lives not by what happens to us but by how we choose to respond and who we choose to become in the process.

Well, there you go. That's life, I swear.

For further information regarding the material covered in this episode, I invite you to visit my website, which can be found on Apple Podcasts, for show notes and the episode transcript.

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