Be Inspired!

I am about halfway through my foster parent training, and it's not nearly as bad as I thought! The PRIDE trainers are knowledgeable and always have a personal story to share to make the material interesting. The foster parent trainer specializes in medically fragile infants - the ones nobody wants to take home. Her last placement was twins whose mother abandoned them at birth because they weren't expected to make it ten days. They now are both in elementary school thanks to kidney transplants. She is an amazing woman, and the people I am taking this class with are just as inspiring!

There is a couple who has custody of their three grandchildren, and are taking the class to learn what issues they might face, and what route for permanency would be best for their kids (adoption, guardianship, etc.). They have put their lives and retirement on hold to care for their grandkids, and are more than happy to be doing so. They are such kind and selfless people.

There is a woman who learned while pregnant that her baby would not live more than a few minutes once born, but she did not terminate the pregnancy. Instead, she delivered her little one and was able to spend ten precious hours with him until he passed away. Instead of being bitter because they will not be able to have biological children, they have decided to start their family through fostering and adoption.

There is a gay couple who are interested in foster-adopting older kids. Because they have experienced adversity in their own lives, they hope to be able to use these experiences to relate to children that everyone else has given up on.

These people make up less than half of the class I'm in. I am inspired every time I learn more about my PRIDE-mates and am so lucky to be attending class with such amazing people!

Faith in Humanity: Restored

Most of you know that I hate traffic. I firmly believe that every time someone drives like an idiot, a kitten dies. Or something.

When I was driving home last night from a board meeting, a car on I-5 randomly slowed to a near stop in the middle of the right lane. I was not a happy camper. There was a guy jogging along I-5 attempting to (what looked like) catch up to the car. I figured he got in a fight with the driver and was kicked out of the car. Some real Jerry Springer stuff I tell you.

I then saw the reason for the slowing traffic: a terrified Golden Retriever was running along the side of the freeway. I realized the guy outside was trying to cajole the dog or at least force him into a grassy area that was safer. The car he got out of was actually driving at the dog's pace between the pup and the traffic, keeping it from running out in front of a car going 60 miles an hour.

I felt like such a jerk. Even though people were honking at this car (and the other two who had since pulled over to help join in the efforts) they continued to try to coax the dog to safety and protect it from cars.

I pulled over long enough to check for treats in my purse, but Watson got into my purse yesterday and ate them all (Jerk). By this time, two guys were out in a field trying to help the dog and he was pretty far away from the freeway so I continued on my journey.

With all the horrible things happening in our world today, the bombings, shootings, and other displays of hate, I am often embarrassed of the human race. Today, however, was a shining example that there is still so much good in this world; so much that makes me smile. It seems like such a small act, but for that scared doggie, it was everything, and I hope he gets home soon. When he does, it will be because a few good Samaritans helped keep him safe while he was lost :)

Grandpa Irving

On May 27, Brian’s Grandpa passed away at the age of 82. This weekend we were lucky enough to fly out to Wisconsin to attend the memorial service. He was a wonderful man whose goofiness was extremely contagious!

Grandpa was married to his soul-mate Jane for 59 years. The love story between Grandpa and Grammy is a wonderful one. After decades of marriage, they were just as in love – possibly even more so – as when they first said “I do.” Grammy nursed Grandpa back to health after his hospital stays dozens of times and considered it a privilege to be able to do so. Taking him to dialysis or his frequent doctor appointments was never a chore, but an opportunity to go on a drive with her best friend.

            

Grandpa’s passing has left a hole in his family. However, the legacy he leaves behind is nothing short of incredible. Three amazing children, seven grandchildren, and hundreds of people whose lives he touched. Grandpa and Grammy knew how to live life to the fullest. They took years of dancing lessons together, twirling around in tuxedos and beautiful gowns. They loved to travel and often went on family vacations with all of their children and grandchildren. Brian has countless stories of snowmen he built with Grandpa, toys he fixed, and late night desserts! Looking through photo albums this past weekend, it is easy to see that Grandpa loved life and was eager to live it to its fullest. 

            

Grandpa experienced a myriad of health problems for the last several years of his life but the average onlooker would never have known this was the case. Grandpa would ask for his “medicine” – candy or cookies – with a twinkle in his eye, even when he could not get out of bed to get them himself. He told jokes and stories with a beaming grin behind the oxygen tubes in his nose.

            

Although I was only blessed to know him for five years, I have been forever changed from his presence in our lives. Those of you who know me know that I have a hard time sitting still. I have classes at the law school, go to work, and read cases for the next day late into the night. Sometimes I am so burned out that all I want to do is sit in front of the TV until I think it’s late enough to go to sleep. I often shrug when Brian asks if I would like to do something after work because I feel that my time is better spend deep cleaning the house or getting ahead in my Con Law class. Stopping to "smell the roses" is something I am not very good at.

            

Grandpa has inspired me to make a change. When I am 80 years old, having a sparkling clean bathroom or a dish-free sink 50 years prior is not what Brian and I will remember. We will recall late-night trips to get ice cream, spontaneous weekend getaways, long doggie walks, and fun trips with our future children. I do not want to measure my life by my grades, the cleanliness of my house, or how many pages of a law textbook I read at night. These are not the things that make life wonderful. Life is wonderful because of the people we share it with. I have an amazing family, fabulous in-laws, and my best friend for a husband. I have been blessed by everyone in my life.

           

It’s time I embrace this life like Grandpa did, and live it to its fullest. I vow to go on more weekend trips, laugh more, and to let the dishes "soak" overnight sometimes :) I love you Grandpa, and when I see you again someday, I will have some awesome life stories to share with you!