builders

we all (at least i hope!) have people around us that build us up, who inspire us to do our best.  there are those who sit quietly in the back ground then swoop in to hold you up when life seems to be especially difficult.  what about those cheerleaders that continue to encourage you to keep going and let you know that you can do it!  i feel so blessed to have many of these people in my life.

last year at this time, i broke my leg and had to have a titanium rod put into my femur.  so many people came to help me with feeding my family or getting my kids where they needed to go.  there was one friend who touched my heart so deeply with her simple act of kindness.  i have known this friend for many years.  we go to the same birthday lunches for mutual friends, chat in the hall at church, store, or school.  we are not best friends, just friends.  after i got home from the hospital, my friend became more than just a friend: she became a true friend.

for those of you who don't know, i am a quadriplegic.  while i am very blessed because i can live independently despite my disability, my broken leg made me dependent on others to do simple tasks, like getting into bed.  my friend would come every day after lunch to help me get into bed so i could nap, rest and heal.  after i was in my bed, she would snuggle me under a blanket and quietly slip out the door.  she did this selflessly for a month.  she showed me the meaning of true friendship.  i am forever grateful for the lesson she taught me.

my biggest cheerleader is my sweet husband.  even when i get out-of-control ideas and he hears things like, "i'm going to make a bed!" he never tells me "no" or "you can't do that!" although i do get an occasional look of terror on his face!  it's because of him i have a web site and that i'm writing this blog.  he encouraged me in june 2009 to start speaking to groups professionally.  although i have spoken to thousands of people and hundreds of different groups and organizations, it was for fun, not as a profession.  i tried to "give it a go" a year ago, in a surprising turn of events, i got nervous and scared about something i loved and enjoyed doing: speaking.

and so we return to my husband, who through his patient encouragement, helped me to realize that i can fulfill my dream of public speaking.  i have overcome the doubts and fears i was having and now i'm on my way!  which leads to my next group of people who leave me humbled and amazed at the support that has been shown me...and that group is YOU!

i want to thank all of you for the outpouring of love and support from you, my new blog friends.  i am extremely humbled at the views on my blog from all over the world, for my new followers, and especially for the beautiful comments that were written--they brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.  thank you for being builders, for inspiring me to be better, for being my cheerleaders.  thank you for teaching me to share those good thoughts i have about others instead of keeping them to myself.  for that, i am forever grateful.