Inspiration is Everywhere!

Over the past couple of months, I have gotten that blessed opportunity to find inspiration from a plethora of places. The beauty of this is that we are constantly reminded that life isn't always easy and while we have many perspectives to choose from, the ones we least consider always have a way of surprising us. But beyond that, they stick with us and provide us an opportunity to introspect on how people in circumstances different from us and beyond our understanding manage to hold such a positive perspective.

There are two main stories I would like to share with you all today. One is local and the other national. One is defying all odds and becoming a star through his dedication, passion, and commitment to what he loves. The other is a mother sending a message to educators and parents all over. A message we cannot avoid, but one we can embrace and help guide our lives with a purpose.

The first story, comes from ESPN highlighting an Alpharetta high school student who has become a basketball star, but here is the catch...he only has one hand to play with. You can find the story here: One-handed prospect has offer from Florida. What is amazing about this story is that someone could have told him as a child that he would not succeed or get far with this. And even if they did, he didn't seem to take it to heart. But our words can make or break someone's potential. It's amazing that this kid is defying all odds and a school like Florida is looking at what this kid CAN do opposed to what he CANNOT do. As an athlete, he is under much scrutiny and judgement, that is the nature of sports. But what does it take to prevail all odds and to succeed despite what others may believe? Passion? Dedication? Support? Love? A combination of everything? What are we willing to give those kids that don't follow the norm in order for them to succeed? But as Hodskins says, "Passion and love for the sport helps me overcome all obstacles. To this day I haven't come across anything I can't do." 

The second story, is a letter from a mother of a Sandy Hook victim to teachers everywhere. I don't think I can do her letter and message justice by summarizing it for you. But here is her letter and it is something truly worth thinking about, whether you are an educator or not:

As another school year begins and old routines settle back into place, I wanted to share my story in honor of the teachers everywhere who care for our children.

I lost my 6-year-old daughter Ana Grace on Dec. 14, 2012, in the rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School. My son, who was in the building and heard the shooting, survived.

While waiting in the firehouse that day to hear the official news that our daughter was dead, my husband and I made promises to ourselves, to each other, and to our son. We promised to face the future with courage, faith, and love.

As teachers and school employees begin this new year, my wish for you is that same courage, faith, and love.

It takes guts to be a teacher. Six brave women gave their lives trying to protect their students at Sandy Hook. Other teachers were forced to run from the building, stepping over the bodies of their friends and colleagues, and they came right back to work.

Nelba Marquez-Greene's 6-year-old daughter Ana Grace, who was killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, 2012.

—Courtesy of Nelba Marquez-Greene

When I asked my son’s teacher why she returned, she responded, “Because they are my kids. And my students need me now more than ever.” She sent daily updates on my son’s progress, from his behavior to what he’d eaten for lunch. And four months later, when my son finally smiled one day after school, I asked him about it. His response? “Mom. My teacher is so funny. I had an epic day.”

While I pray you will never find yourself in the position of the teachers at Sandy Hook, your courage will support students like my son, who have lived through traumas no child should have to.

Your courage will support students who are left out and overlooked, like the isolated young man who killed my daughter. At some point he was a young, impressionable student, often sitting all alone at school. You will have kids facing long odds for whom your smile, your encouraging word, and your willingness to go the extra mile will provide the comfort and security they need to try again tomorrow.

When you Google “hero,” there should be a picture of a principal, a school lunch worker, a custodian, a reading specialist, a teacher, or a bus monitor. Real heroes don’t wear capes. They work in America’s schools.

"When I asked my son’s teacher why she returned, she responded, 'Because they are my kids.' "

Being courageous requires faith. It took faith to go back to work at Sandy Hook after the shooting. Nobody had the answers or knew what would come tomorrow, but they just kept going. Every opportunity you have to create welcoming environments in our schools where parents and students feel connected counts.

Have faith that your hard work is having a profound impact on your students. Of the 15,000 personal letters I received after the shooting, only one stays at my bedside. It’s from my high school English teacher, Robert Buckley.

But you can’t be courageous or step out on faith without a deep love for what you do.

Parents are sending their precious children to you this fall. Some will come fully prepared, and others not. They will come fed and with empty bellies. They will come from intact homes and fractured ones. Love them all.

When my son returned to school in January, I thought I was going to lose my mind. Imagine the difficulty in sending your surviving child into a classroom when you lost your baby in a school shooting. We sent him because we didn’t want him to be afraid.

“Real heroes don’t wear capes. They work in America’s schools.”

We sent him because we wanted him to understand that while our lives would never be the same, our lives still needed to move forward.

According to the 2011-12 National Survey of Children’s Health, nearly half of America’s children will have suffered at least one childhood trauma before the age of 18. They need your love.

A few weeks before the shooting, Ana Grace and I shared a special morning. Lunches were packed and clothes were picked out the night before, so we had extra time to snuggle. And while I lay in bed with my beautiful caramel princess, she sensed that I was distracted and asked, “What’s the matter, Mom?” I remember saying to her, “Nothing, baby. It’s just work.” She looked at me for a very long time with a thoughtful stare, then she told me, “Don’t let them suck your fun circuits dry, Mom.”

As you begin this school year, remember Ana Grace. Walk with courage, with faith, and with love. And don’t let them suck your fun circuits dry.

This letter is self-explanatory, but I must say that in order to truly remember Ana Grace and all of the innocent children and teachers we lost on that on that day, we must make it our mission to not let anyone suck our fun circuits dry. 

There is much we can learn from these two stories. But because of these two stories, I have grown to appreciate those around me and what the power of words and actions have on each and every one of us. Inspiration lies in everything around us. In those moments when our lives feel stressed and there is too much on our plate, we can look towards what these two individuals have taught us. We can find more inspiration from others, whether they are people we know or those we do not, there is so much we can learn from each other. 

Happy Sunday & good luck as you embark on your inspirational journey!