Who inspires you?

Kinsey Milhone and VI Warshawski

As cliche as it may sound my children are my biggest inspiration. 3 of the four have a disability and I've watched them fight for everything in their life. My oldest has Cerebral Palsy and is EMH and battled a seizure disorder that we had to leave untreated medically because the only meds that stopped the seizures made her have suicidal ideations at age 8. She is now 25, lives in her own apartment (no where near close enough to me!). her attitude and fight is truly inspiring. My second daughter had a son in her teens and the day before my beautiful grandson was to be 5 months, his sperm donor suffocated him while she was at school. She stood strong through the pain and depression and fought to gain herself back from the dark hole that swallowed her, she's now 23 and married to a wonderful man, hoping to be pregnant soon. My oldest son (15) has asperger's and marches to the beat of his own drummer, always has. He is a delight to be around, he's funny, witty, smart, charismatic and one of a kind. He brightens every single day. And lastly my baby he's 14 now. He plays sports, is kind and respectful to all around him, he studies hard and has goals set in his life and a "dream plan" (think business plan) mapped out on what he needs to do to achieve his dreams for himself. He's also the one who told me "Mom, you just aren't as much fun anymore" after a vacation at my highest weight, that got me researching and led me to WLS, he's changed my life.

so yeah, okay, cliche maybe? but honestly my biggest sources of inspiration.

Not at all a cliche! Sounds to me like great love and inspiration both directions between you and them. That's wonderful.

Wow... so much pain. 

Your children have truly blessed you. I'm so sorry for the loss of your grandson.

Thanks. but with all that pain has come so much joy!

Let's see. Who and what inspires me. Hmmm-

A lot of people in my life now and in the past who have contributed and contribute so much to who I am and give me phenomenal support and love. My husband. My family. My friends. Courage. Trustworthiness. People who have a commitment to contributing and making a positive difference. Creative people. Good writing and art and music. Good teachers. Sunsets. Great thinkers. Gentleness. Possibility. Opportunity. Open mindedness. Seekers. People who overcome whatever obstacle and learn to thrive. Beauty. Kindness. Thoughtfulness. Nature. Watching and being part of my grandchildren growing. My work. Honoring and living by my values. Reading and learning. Challenges. People who have great ways of looking at and living life. Loyalty. Generosity. People who seek learning and growing and experiencing new things. Travel and experiencing other cultures and places in the world. My ex-husband. Good humor and laughter. Curiosity. Gratitude. Just plain old being alive.

My, the list does go on...

That's a good list Anne. It's great to spend time finding the inspiration around us vs the ugliness that is so often evident.

Great thinkers is definitely an inspiration but Gentleness? that rocks!

My husband is my biggest inspiration :) He's a wonderful man, but more than that he is a great leader, he's kind, and he's fair. He's also funny as hell. We were matched on a dating site as 99% compatible, and we really are. He is an incredible father, and makes me want to be a better person everyday. 

Pretty great being hooked up with wonderful men, isn't it? I'm happy for you- and me! And our families.