Day: May 21, 2011

Today my niece Ellie participated in Girls on the Run. I did not make it to cheer her on, but I can almost feel the momentum and excitement and envision the great sense of accomplishment felt by each and every runner.

My cousin Renee took pictures at the Grand Haven location and I wanted to share a few of those with you. They beautifully depict the feelings that fill the air….

Girls on the run is about much more than running the race. It is about the shaping of young hearts and inviting them to believe in themselves and offering 100% in everything they do. It is a phenomenal program…

And even though Girls on the Run is about much more than the race, I wanted you to know that my beautiful, athletic, horse loving, fun-loving speedy niece Ellie ran her 5 k this morning in just over 22 minutes. She gave it her all and ended in tears because she pushed herself harder than her body was used to, but she did it and she did amazing and she IS amazing….I love you Ellie. Way to Go!  

I have great respect for Mother Teresa. She is a woman who modeled love and compassion in so many ways. I admire that in her love and compassion, she stayed strong and tender. I have a few books that are filled with her wisdom and I enjoy sitting to read a few at a time and reflect on what it might look like in my own life if I were to adopt whatever it is she is reflecting on…..she is one woman who inspires me to give of myself generously to others….

Tonight my niece Olivia posted a piece by Mother Teresa in a very creative way. Olivia has a big heart for people and has learned through the adoption of her sister and brother from Haiti, that love really is what bonds people together. I admire Olivia so much for how she is bold in her acceptance of people, she lives out loud and shows up with her whole heart, no matter what she is seeking to achieve.

The verses below reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her. Some sources say that the words below were written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s own room.  In any case, their association with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity has made them popular worldwide, expressing as they do, the spirit in which they lived their lives. 

I am going to have this version printed up because it reminds me of wonderful words to live by and reminds me of a wonderful person who is committed to living by them….