Inspired By Joy

I am such a mush. I don’t mean to be, but I am. It is my kids that get to me. Okay, I admit it, it is any kid. I am so inspired this Holiday season by the joy that is childhood. My children have practiced their little hearts out with lines and songs for their school performances. They have waited with eager anticipation for the whole family to gather. Their eyes light up waiting for Santa.

Watching my little ones so full of hope, love and enthusiasm I remember…I remember how important it is to find the everyday joys. Not just at Christmas, or whatever holiday you may celebrate. In 2008, I want to remember the everyday joys. I want to truly appreciate my 6-year-old’s smile. I want to stop and relish my 4-year-old’s hugs. I need to soak in the sound of my two-year-old, “Mommy I wuv you.”

No matter what is going on in our lives. No matter what time of year it is. No matter how much you may struggle. There is joy in every day. There is hope in every moment. There is inspiration…if you pay attention and allow it to hold you.

What everyday joys do you let slip past? Each day find a moment of joy, soak it in and show gratitude for that gift.

Inspired By Grace

Usually, I try to write with optimism and am moved by inspiration. Today, I write with tears streaming down my face. I am in mourning…mourning for the little girl known as “Baby Grace.” Her real name is Riley, and she was beaten to death for not saying “please.” She was two. My beautiful little two-year-old Faith sits on my lap as I watch the news. I hold her tighter; I kiss her longer; I breathe in the fruity smell of her baby shampoo. I can not imagine life without her.

Baby Grace looks like Faith, with the exception that Faith has brown eyes. It is a reminder to me of how blessed we are to have a few precious moments to experience the wonder and innocence of childhood, and how quickly and tragically that innocence can be taken away. My heart breaks with the pain that Riley must have gone through, the confusion of having a parent break the sacred bond of trust and then steal her life. Forgiveness is a virtue…and often a tough virtue to swallow.

I truly hope God, in His amazing grace, shows more forgiveness to the two people - who should have cherished the precious gift of Riley - than they showed her. I know that their hypocrisy and cruelty will haunt me. Inspired by Grace, I vow to appreciate and treasure my children even more. Please vow to do the same.

Inspired by Hope: Wisconsin Rapids 3–O Day

Yesterday was the third year in a row that I have had the privilege of attending and presenting at 3-O Day: Our Selves, Our Bodies, Our Responsibilities. This conference is held every year for both senior and junior high (alternating years). A group of informed and caring citizens has taken upon themselves to educate students on the many choices they have to make as young adults. Topics range from sexuality to Internet safety to nutrition, and everywhere in between. It never ceases to amaze me how inspired and hopeful I become after listening to the students speak their minds and hearts.

This year the keynote I delivered was called “What’s Your Story?” I asked students to consider what headlines they would like to read for themselves in the paper. Then we discussed the steps and choices one must make in order to get to that headline or goal. The headlines weren’t about being Pro Football players or Rock stars. The headlines read: “From A Student to A+ Teacher” and “Kind Student Builds Homeless Shelter”. Then students wrote beautiful mission statements or honor codes, as we called them, which were blueprints to getting to their headlines.

I laugh when I hear adults disgruntled about "the youth today”. They are much more articulate and aware than I was at their age! After yesterday…I feel hope…hope that this next generation will make smart choices and make positive changes in the world. I thank them for their inspiration…and invite them to share their stories of inspiration here!

Inspired By Idealism: NAEYC Conference

Idealism is a virtue that has often been ridiculed. Idealists are thought of as dreamers. Not living in the real world. Naïve. Attending the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Conference in Chicago, I found confirmation for my definition of idealism…dreaming that the world can be better and then acting to make it so.

Dreaming has been my favorite pass time for as long as I can remember. Even as a teenager, I was told that I should change. A friend once told me I was “Poetry and Music” and the rest of the world was “Math and Science”. I needed to “wise up” and live in the real world or face getting my heart broken over and over again. This week at the NAEYC conference, I had the rare privilege of interacting with over 25,000 people, most of whom dream and then act.

I met preschool teachers and administrators, authors and publishers, professors and students, inventors and manufacturers. I chatted with women from Virginia working to help autistic children learn to cope in social settings. I marveled at a woman opening a center for parents to find support and inspiration in Chicago. I had a brainstorming session with a trio of inventors from Flint, Michigan. There were teachers stopping at my booth from Chile, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. People traveling from such distances to enrich their knowledge and bring more dreams back to their children.

NAEYC was such a valuable experience for me. People responded so generously and enthusiastically to Brecker Bunny and Little Jake. Other women rallied around my mission to be “one mom making a difference.” I found confirmation that Inspired By Family is on the right path. We will continue to share our stories. We will continue to reach out to help families communicate better. We will continue to dream and then act. We will be inspired…by idealism.

Inspired By Faith: All Saints’ Day

As I entered the church today, I searched for my oldest son. My beautiful Breck. I promised I would come to his school mass today and sit with him. I feel that I have let my family down lately. Business has been difficult, busy and even painful lately. I have not been there for my children as much as I would like. How ironic that in the quest to help others connect with their families, my family sometimes gets my leftovers.

I sat in the pew to await my son’s arrival. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the stressful conversations and strategy sessions I have just had. I am consumed by fear. Fear that I am letting my children down. Fear that I am making bad business decisions. Fear that I am taking to many risks. Fear that I may not be doing the right thing.

My eyes are still closed and the music begins to play. It is a familiar song. I begin to smile. The soloist sings, “Do not be afraid I am with you.” A huge release. I can feel my body getting lighter as the tears flow down my cheeks. The message is clear. Release the pain, the stress, but most of all the fear to Him. Find my moral compass. If I live my life following His lead, if I act always from a place of good intention, I need not be afraid. I only need to trust. Just then a tiny hand takes mine. I look over to see Breck, cuddling in next to me. His shining eyes, so happy that mommy is there for him. The soloist finishes her song, “I love you and you are Mine.” In one moment, life makes sense. I am inspired by faith.

Brecker Bunny and WAFS

WAFS Burn Camp

Respect and Integrity.

Those were the words on the agenda when I set out to talk to the WAFS 2007 Burn Camp participants aged 13-17. Such strong words, but they can mean so many different things to people depending on your family’s values, your location, your culture and your experiences. Our goal was to get everybody on the same page.

So we started with this question… “What would respect look like at camp?” The answers were a lesson for all of us…burn survivor or not. Below are the paraphrased words of some amazing kids with courageous voices.


"Please be patient with me. I can’t always do things as quickly as other people. I am missing some fingers. I still want to do it myself, but I need your patience."

"Encourage me. Sometimes I get frustrated that things aren’t as easy for me as others, or when I am trying something new and don’t get it right away. I need people to tell me that they appreciate how hard I am trying and the determination I am showing."

"Include everyone. There shouldn’t be cliques of girls and boys. Everyone should get along with everyone. This is the one place we should fit in no matter what."

"Have a sense of humor. We all mess up. Let’s try to laugh it off, instead of getting mad."

"Instead of assuming that I am saying something to be mean, ask me about it. Where I come from, we just might talk differently. I might think I am being funny, and you might get hurt. Just tell me so I can fix it."

"Respect everyone’s things. If you want to use something ask."

"I want hugs. (laughter from the group) No, I am serious! I want hugs!"

For forty-five minutes, I truly felt surrounded by beauty. Some of us wear our scars on the outside, some on the inside and some of us have both. What these articulate, inspiring teens taught me, is we all basically want the same things. Healing, in any form, starts with empathy, honesty, a little bit of humor, and a lot of respect.