Here's what's been running through my mind lately:
Just recently have I noticed how inspiring the people around me are.
For instance, my wonderful sis. We may not always see eye to eye and definitely don't have much in common, but this girl is unbelievable at times.
This is going to sound like a total Lifetime show and unrealistic, but I promise you it's all true.
When my sister was just starting to crawl as a baby, they noticed something was wrong. She was only using one side of her body. My parents noticed this and knew it wasn't natural so they took her to the doctor.
Apparently she suffered a stroke at birth that effected the right side of her brain, causing partial paralysis on the left side of her body.
The doctor wasn't even sure she'd ever be able to walk.
My parents immediately put her in physical therapy. She had to wear braces on her legs for a portion of her younger years and constantly work to strengthen that side of her body.
Not only can she walk, she can do everything a "normal" person can do. She drives herself daily, ties her shoes, perfects her hair (this girl can do hair better than I will ever be able to)...everything. Nothing can hold her back.
Sure she still has partial paralysis on her left side and can't make much use out of her left hand, but she finds a way...her own way to do things.
If this story isn't inspiring enough, she's managed to lose over 20 pounds within the past couple of years without any help.
While we were growing up, my parents used to always say, "You're never going to grow, Callie. You don't eat enough and when you do eat, you don't eat healthy." I didn't care, I stayed skinny and ate what I wanted. I never thought that it would catch up to me.
Well it did my freshman year of college, as it does with most people. I didn't gain tons, just enough to learn my lesson. But while I was gaining weight, my sister was losing it. She was never incredibly overweight, she just wasn't in shape.
I don't know what her turning point was when she decided she wanted to get in shape, but once she made up her mind, no one was getting in the way of her intense determination.
She counted calories constantly. Some people can't do it, it drives them crazy, but she had it down to a science. Then once she got the weight off, she started an exercise program. She ordered equipment online and got her own personal stair stepper as well as weights and others.
Now this girl is smaller than me. She is my big sister...I would never grow cause I don't eat enough/right...and now I'm the bigger one.
Anyways, I asked her over a million questions when it came to her method of weight-loss. Got all the inside scoop and secrets to try a whack at it. The hardest part was definitely self-discipline.
For the first couple of months I would break down, say eff-it, and eat like crazy. Then I finally got in the swing of things and have been able to lose about 10 pounds myself. It may not be as visibly noticeable, but I can definitely feel the difference.
I tell ya, this girl can do anything. If only the world can see how much one person can accomplish...I feel like her story could inspire a lot.
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| She's the normal looking one on the right. |
She's not the only one I've been thinking about, though.
Let me tell you a little about my dad. He's from a small town in Nebraska. He likes Nascar, guns, and Republicans. Yes, he's a hick (I know you were all thinking it.)
Needless to say, we but heads a LOT. (Me being an open-minded city girl my whole life...he may say self absorbed :P )
He's been a retired school teacher/principal for quite some time now. He hangs out at a gun shop in his spare time and enjoys taking Belle (our aussie) to coffee every morning. Pretty much just plays life by ear.
The other night I came home from Zumba class with my mommy and he was sitting in the computer room helping a neighbor kid with his homework.
It kinda hit me, 'my dad's retired. He gave up the teaching a while ago, but he's taking time out of his day to sit down and tutor the neighbor kid.'
He was reading out loud with him and going over math problems...all out of good character. He's a great teacher, too. I remember going to elementary school with him, and my friends that had him as a teacher would always tell me how fun he was as a teacher.
There was no incentive for him to tutor the neighbor; he wasn't getting paid for this.
It was a mere genuine act of kindness.
Like that old man in Estes said, "Man you must be doing something right to be this blessed."
I'm so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life. They always say anyone can make a difference in the world, and I know this is extremely hard to believe sometime, but there's proof out there.
Although these actions won't be any segments aired on the Today show, they still make a difference in the world.
So those are my recent ramblings. One more dreadful week of school including multiple midterms and then I'm off to the beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado to ski with my 72 year old Grandpa, and Mother (not 72).
Hopefully I'll have some exciting stories to tell then. :)
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