Inspiration

I have been thinking recently about people who have inspired me. But what is inspiration? How do you determine what makes a person inspirational? Is it their overall personality and character? Is it the accomplishments they have done? Is it by simply being there? Is it someone you have known your entire life or just a short time? I think inspiration can be any of these things. I feel blessed to have known people who have inspired me to be a better person and make a difference. I think these inspirations have helped mold me into the person I am right now.

I have been inspired by many friends and family, and even some famous people. My sister and her husband have been a great inspiration in the exercising department. They both are consistently training and competing in triathalons. I have always dreamed of just doing a half marathon. The fact they can accomplish races beyond that is truly inspirational!

I think the biggest inspiration in my life to this point has been my cousin Rebecca. A year ago she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She was just 18. She just graduated from highschool. She was looking forward to college. She should have had her whole life ahead of her and then poof it seemed as if everything was gone. However, she had this faith that could move mountains. She never questioned God and his motives. She went all in to fight this disease. There were moments it seemed she was going to make it and other times where it wasn't looking good. Then just before Easter this year she was called back to her heavenly Father. While she was in the hospital she started a fund called Cure With Hope to raise money for the children's cancer ward. The fund is still going to this day. It is amazing to see the people that she touched through her short life. She was always full of life and energy and lived each day as if it were her last. As typical for me, when stresses of every day life get me down I get sad and angry. After her death, I knew that I needed to change that attitude. It wasn't easy, but let me tell you, know more than ever I'm at peace with myself. I should be freaking out about not having a job and little money to my name. Maybe, I'm just crazy for not freaking out...but I'm very calm and know that everything is going to be ok. I have Jesus to thank for that and an inspirational girl named Rebecca.

Love you always Rebecca! You are an inspiration to more than you could ever realize and its truly amazing to see the people you have touched! There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and the things I can do to make a difference in someone's life. You are greatly missed! Keep smiling down on all of us!