Who do you admire?

Ryan and his cousin, Chris, love to hang out together. Unfortunately, Chris lives on the other side of the state and, like every other 20-something adult, is crazy busy. Ryan can't wait to see him when he comes and looks up to him. Chris is a remarkable young man and I'm glad that Ryan has someone like that to admire.

It's funny how we all need mentors, those people who inspire us and motivate us to be the people we want to be. My grandmother was so kind. It was her compassionate and kind nature that stood out above all else. I admired her and continue to emulate her whenever I can.

There are certain others I admire: Billy Graham (but then, that's like saying I admire Moses, right?) I admire all the usual suspects like Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller and Rosa Parks. But I also admire some people who are not mainstream like Britney Spears, who since she was a preteen, has been under a grueling microscope. The strobing of flashbulbs alone could send a person funny. She continues to get up again and again, still swinging.

I admire brave writers who declare their heart and dare people to judge them. I admire Allison Krause, who for years has sung backup and harmony melodies in a way that is simply ethereal. She is coming into her own but no one excels more than she at pulling a single silver thread of harmony in a song until it unravels in an amazing blend of sound.

I admire Jesse Ventura. You heard me. The man spoke his heart and let the chips fall where they may. If people wanted to pick at the syntax and politically correct measure of his sentences, let them. He had convictions and stuck by them. He then left politics because his wife couldn't stand people coming at him that way. Now THAT'S a man!

I admire Conan O'Brien for being a class act when the network gave him the shaft for Jay Leno. We all knew it was wrong. Same way they shafted Dave Letterman for Leno. BTW, who is Leno connected to??

I admire Madeline Albright who broke the glass ceiling for women in so many ways.

I admire Steve Jobs who, despite great illness, continues to evolve and create like nothing we've ever seen.

I admire Bill Gates and Warren Buffet who give away most of their money simply because they can.

I admire hospice workers for sitting at bedsides so caregivers can get some much needed rest.

I admire doctors who actually listen without worrying about covering their butts.

I admire Christopher, who is a paramedic, and much see some horrible things but continues to care and treat people with compassion.

I admire my son who, despite his disabilities, gets up each morning with a smile and a "can-do" attitude.

Well, you get the idea. Who do you admire? Perhaps if we don't admire anyone we spend too much time in our heads. What do you think?

Have a great week. Remember, I'm praying for you...

Much love and joy,

Karen

spring and health

Ryan and I are getting the itch to garden again. It's so hard when the yard is covered with snow! ERG!

We've decided to grow some odd crops (for us) this year. We've never planted corn because of space. It's just not feasible. However, Ryan wants corn in one of his raised beds. I told him we'd need a step ladder to pick it! (Actually we can bend it down at harvest I guess.)

We're going to grow some fall root crops like potatoes, carrots, and onions. We've always stuck to the salad crops but this year we're branching out a little.

We both need to get outside more. During the thaw it's so messy and slimy out there. Finally the roads are dry and the sidewalks are getting there for the most part. Then we can walk.

How do you make sure that your loved one with special needs gets enough exercise to stay heart healthy? Do you swim, walk, play ball? It's hard enough to find time for our own exercise to say nothing of making sure those around us are moving and grooving!

Today make a promise. One day this week do something that improves your health and the health of your family.
Good luck
Much love and joy,
Karen