Inspiration

REFLECTIONS ABOUT WHAT INSPIRES ME…
Thank you dad for always believing in me. You were my #1 fan. I loved our adventures together. I would follow you anywhere, from the depths of the ocean to the planets in the sky. You helped me believe in magic. You will always live in my heart.

To my dear friend, Russell:
You always lived life to the fullest, helping us not to take things for granted. Your gentle heart was filled with passion for humans and animals alike. Your cats, dogs, squirrels, and human friends were fortunate to know you. Thank you for making this world a better place.

Drawn by my friend, Russell Nelson

TWO OF THE STRONGEST PEOPLE I EVER KNEW…
When I was a middle school physical education teacher, I loved having a class discussion about strength. I asked students to share examples of strength, many of them referred to Marvel characters with super-human traits such as the ability to fly and lift heavy objects.

I shared two unlikely examples. One was Coach Callahan. In his youth, he was a world-class speed skater. In his 20’s he contracted polio and became a guadriplegic confined to a wheelchair. I never knew him before he had polio.
He was one of the coaches of our Los Angeles Track Team. He was an inspirational coach with a heart of gold.

I lived away from home and was, on my own, trying to make the Olympic Team. He would write me bi-weekly letters inspiring me to always try my best and never give up. He lived his life by example.

APRIL was a 3-year-old girl who was born with a rare bleeding disease. When she was born, her fingers were webbed together because of friction. Every six months she would have to have surgery to separate her fingers. She had to wear padded shoes and cushioning over her knees.

I asked my students why she always seemed so happy, running around and never being careful. One student answered, “probably because she knew no other way.”

My students started sharing intimate strength stories about siblings with injuries or parents battling serious disease. My students showed compassion and empathy toward each other.