I have many sources of inspiration in my life.
I do not have to look any further than the home I grew up in to draw upon my “forever” inspiration from my parents. Mom and Dad taught me that common sense will get me far in life, that there is always room for one more at the dinner table and that real love takes commitment, compromise and always being able to say “I’m sorry”!
My kids provide me with inspiration almost daily. But if I had to select just one example of each of their inspiration they would be the following.
From Re:
People are not always as they first appear. She has an uncanny ability to really see people for who they are, good or bad. She reminds me that most people require more than 10 minutes to determine whether or not they are deserving of your time. She has countless examples, good and bad, that illustrate how much better she is at this than me.
And from Boo:
Never stop fighting the good fight and never stop asking questions. He fights for the “little guy”, the underserved, and the underrepresented. He loves to fight the status quo when he believes it is contrary to his beliefs. And he has been asking “why” since he was very little. That unfailing curiosity serves him well, especially when he challenges people to explain their beliefs.
My high school volleyball coach and the girls and boys that I have coached over the years – no two children are alike and each one of them deserves to be seen and heard for him or herself. Also, several of the teachers that have taught my kids over the years, especially those who gave unselfishly of their own time while we were sorting through all of the learning issues for my son. My brothers, each of whom reminds me in their own ways that there isn’t just one right-way and that embracing differences can lead to a fuller, richer life.
The list could go on and on, but since November 2021, no list of inspirational people will ever be complete without including Chelle. Chelle spent one year battling an aggressive and rare form of cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, enduring months of chemo and several rounds of radiation. In that year, she never stopped fighting, she continued to live life to the fullest, she never lost hope, and she continued to put others first. I miss her everyday!