Category Archives: Inspiration!

Photo credit: wkyc.com

You know, every once in a while a story comes along that makes you stop and just take a moment.  A moment to set aside your worries and stress and just remember what life is really all about.   It’s about dreams and smiles, good will, love and respect.   It’s about making a difference in the lives of others and letting them make a difference in your own.

Some thirty YEARS ago…teenage twin brothers Ronald and Donald Cunningham walked into a Case Western Reserve University football practice.    They were not members of the team.   They were not enrolled in the University.   They did however walk out together onto the football field and started to lead the team in jumping jacks.   And for 28 years….they have been leading the team in this way.  They don’t wait for the coach to start the practice, they start it.

These twin brothers with their big, beautiful, infectious smiles are both mentally disabled.    They refer to the players only by their jersey number (with the exception of one, Bobby) on and off the field.

Over these many, many years, the Case Western football coaches and players have developed beautiful friendships with Ronald and Donald and have made them part of their team.   They are official ball boys and make every practice.  Coaches have come and gone.  Players have graduated.  The boys…now men…are 46 years years old and next season will be the 29th for the brothers…as they take the field to lead a new team of players.

So, this is one of those feel good stories that warms my heart and I thought it would be a great one to share during this season.   A reminder that dreams are important.  That a smile can turn someones whole day around.  That giving someone a chance is not only good for them, it’s good for your own soul.   That we’re all gifts…each with unique wrapping.   That sometimes…being ‘just a number’ is a great thing.

Here’s a link to the WKYC News video if you’d like to watch.

For the weekend I leave you with the MOST BEAUTIFUL story! This happened a couple years ago. A little girl wrote a letter to God because she was very upset over the passing of her beloved dog, Abbey.   It’s a heartwarming story of her answer ‘from God’…and a true example of how all is not lost in human nature.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend! I leave you with the Letter to God from Meredith Claire.

This meme requires posting a picture that is powerful, that expresses emotion, and speaks volumes to me. This week, I’ve decided to fore-go my own personal pic and present you with something inspiring to me.

Okay, so…I’m watching the news the other day…and I caught a story about a local woman, Liz Ferro, who has started this really awesome organization called ‘Girls With Sole’.   Dedicated to promoting good health and well being to girls who have suffered abuse in their young lives…Liz was a foster child and then adopted at 2 yrs old.  She was also abused.  First off, I think it’s great when any woman can come out in public and talk about something that is so personal, but OMG, this woman turned her experiences around to actually help young girls in other abusive situations!  How courageous is THAT?

Did you know that Girls who participate in sports are more likely to delay first intercourse, have fewer sex partners and a lower frequency of intercourse, are more likely to use condoms, less likely to carry a weapon to school, less likely to drop out of school, more likely to attend college and less likely to try marijuana?   Yup!  I learned that from Liz!   Along with several other STUNNING facts.

I have no affiliation with ‘Girls’ but I think it’s an excellent concept!  I also think that all of us should show our support for Liz and these girls by popping over and saying hello!  (there’s nowhere to comment on her site yet…but there’s an email address in the Contact area of the sidebar.)  As an up and coming organization geared to actually supporting our future moms, our future women leaders….mom bloggers please unite and show some “Liz Love”, would ya?

Here’s some info from their website:

Girls With Sole will offer a large variety of fitness and wellness programs, including yoga, dance and traditional team sports to girls who need someone to believe in them so that they may believe in themselves. Many of these girls who have experienced abuse would otherwise have no place to participate in sports or group exercise in a safe environment, or have access to group athletics.
Focusing on healthy living, good nutrition, exercise and wellness will help girls make healthier choices in other parts of their lives – making a positive impact on our community as a whole.

Thank you Liz for making a wonderful contribution to the world!  You go girl!