In Celebration Off..........

I was driving with a colleague to the city this morning. The one thing we have in common is that we celebrate our birthdays days apart. She is a deeply spiritual person whom I greatly admire for her strength and courage oft times in the face of great adversity. Our discussion leant toward the things in our lives we can be thankful for. My thoughts then moved toward considering the lives of two very specific women. 

I have never met either Whilma Liedeman ( @WhilmaL) or Gaynor Young (@earearblog). Ms Liedeman's background is unknown to me. Ms Gaynor Young's life story is well documented in her biography "My Plunge to Fame". The common thread here is that they both had their lives irreversably changed by events and moments that I believe they could never have foreseeing. Ms Young was at the pinnacle of her opera career when an accident changed her life in ways unimaginable. These two women are confined to living their lives in wheelchairs and with extreme challenges that would make people like me want to give up. Yet they both, unbeknown to them, have become to me and many others, incredible beacons of hope and life. 

The picture is of a gentleman unknown to me. He is blind and is playing a Baritone mouthorgan. The important fact is, he is blind. 

Considering all this, perhabs the one lesson is that God often uses us when we are at our most vunerable. When we are at our weakest He uses us to inspire others to greater heights of understanding and faith. All around us are men and women who face incredible challenges in life. Men and women who in spite of the obstacles rise up to show the world that with God given strength and human determination, anything is possible. In the words of Winston Churchill, giving up is not an option.   

I am a completely able bodied, healthy guy. I have no reason to complain in any way and can be thankful that I have been blessed with what I have. I have talents that I believe many would love to have. Yet there is the tendency to take things for granted. The fact that I can walk and live an active life is blessing in itself. The fact that I can see and breathe normally is a blessing in itself. I have no reason to complain. As Gaynor Young puts it very simply, "I am alive". 

September 3 is the day I celebrate my birthday. I may not have much to celebrate. Yet the fact that I breathe is but through the grace of God and that to me is enough reason to celebrate. Thank you to those who have inspired me in the past year. There are many amazing women and men that I will probably never get to meet in person. Yet know this, you have made your mark. 

Thank You.

PS. When you have a moment, please read www.earearblog.com.