Who’s Been Your Greatest Inspiration Throughout Your Life and Why?
By: Caitlin Goebel (View Profile)
Every night I come home and turn on the evening news. At times it seems the world is in devastation and destruction. But today, and in the past, there have been individuals that have inspired and motivated me about what tomorrow will bring.
The greatest inspiration in my life was one of the actions Eleanor Roosevelt took as the First Lady. When she heard that the Daughters of the American Revolution were not letting Marian Anderson, an African American, sing at Constitution Hall, the First Lady removed any affiliation with the organization and then arranged for Ms. Anderson to sing at Lincoln Memorial. She could have ignored what was happening but she chose to take a very public stand on the issue.
We all can be inspired when hearing the stories of people who have done something out of the ordinary in this world. Is there someone who has inspired you and why? Join the chit chat.
The giveaway ended May 23rd, but you can still add your story to this chit chat. Look for more giveaways and stand by for an announcement about our winner.
My friend Suzie. She slept at the hospital in that lumpy recliner after I had an 11 hour cancer related surgery and gave me 24 hour care for the next two weeks even though she had recently had knee surgery. It is a true friend that gives up her vacation days to wash your hair and feed and clothe you.
My late Mother is my hero. My Mom was born with 90% of her body covered with what is know as the "strawberry" mark. She had to wear heavy make-up her entire life. As a child she was teased and tormented. My Dad fell in love with her regardless of her birthmark. She gave birth to my sister and I, twins, after trying to conceive for 11 years. She passed from complications of an eye cancer when I was 28 and pregnant with my second child. She ended up blind before her death. She was an amazing woman who did not let a horrible birthmark or cancer stop her. I miss her every day.
My mother is my hero. I lost her when I was 18 (almost 30 years ago) and then I became head of household to my father and brother. She taught me everything that I needed to know in 16 years so that I could carry on her traditions and wishes. She never complained while going through chemotherapy, losing her hair, and all the pain she suffered. She was always grateful for what she had and I learned to be strong and do things for myself because that's really who I had to rely on - me. To this day I keep her spirit, grace and dignity with me to help me through my tough times and hope that my children too will grow to be strong, independent and caring individuals. Value your health and take care of it, for one never knows when it may be taken away from you. Live your life with a smile and be grateful for what you have been given for no one can take away the memories of my mother and what she didn't realize she did for me while she was dieing. I love you MOM!
Two people inspired me and made a difference in my life, my mom and grandma. What lessons and qualities I learned from mom helped me be the best mom I could be to my 3 children. She taught me love, patience and perserverance. When I ended up being a single parent, if it had not been for her teachings and what I saw her do for me and my four brothers growing up, I'm not sure I could have succeeded as I did. My father was a truck driver and was always on the road. So she pretty much raised us on her own. There was never enough money, so she worked at odd jobs and cleaned houses for people, including a dentist, where that money went to pay for cleanings for us. It couldn't have been easy for her.
My grandma was equally awesome. She took my mom in at 15, and raised her as her own. Her very essence exploded with love and affection. She inspired me to be the light in my grandkids eyes. I celebrate my love for them by having a sleepover every year.
God bless both these wonderful women.
One of my oldest friends because she didn't have the easiest life and she's made a lot of bad choices! But somehow I've grown to learn what strength really is through her. She was raised by her Father after her Mother abandoned her, and honestly her Father had no clue how to raise a child let alone a girl. She left her Fathers house as a teen because of complications with her Stepmother. She became pregnant really young and made the best decision she's ever made, and put her beautiful boy for adoption. She's lucky to have an open adoption with her son so she can see his progression, but I'm so proud that she knows and has no regrets about it.
My maternal Grandmother inspired me more than any other individual. She lost her husband right after their 7th live birth child, had to find sewing and other types of jobs to feed them, built on a 2nd room to the 1-room shack they lived in totally by herself, then heard they were hiring workers 150 miles away, went by train, got a job working on planes (for the air force), moved the entire family to the city life, bought a large house and successfully proved she could do what she needed to do. No one could tell her she could not do something, but at the same time, she was not a loud or outwardly strong person. Quiet, reserved, but studied on matters, made decisions and stuck to them. She lived to be 98 and was an inspiration to me during my scary teenage years and was helpful in finding my faith. I miss her very much.
My pastor and my boss. He has such a kind and gentle spirit that he makes things better just by showing up. He is very good at diffusing conflict and a comfort to those in pain. You feel such a sense of peace just by hanging out with him. He makes me strive to be a better person and better Christian.
Kathy McFadden
My grandmother who passed away four years ago at the wonderful age of 98 has been the most powerful and inspirational person in my life. We traveled around the US together from the time I was very young to my middle twenties. She never said a bad word about anyone even when it was in order. She taught me the true meaning of love, working hard, keeping my commitment to others and just about life in general. I miss her every day but have a part of her with me by wearing her wedding band. Her faith was very strong and she lived accordingly but never imposing. There was no subject that was off limits with grandmother. She was not a woman of wealth. My grandfather passed away at the young age of 58 and grandma had to make it on her own for the next 50 years. She showed me that nothing was impossible. She had 48 grandchildren and I am sure that everyone would say the same about her. She still lives on through all of us.
Nature. Nothing is so awe-inspiring, amazing, and inspirational. I've been blessed by many inspiring teachers, family and friends. Yet: the beauty of the natural world reminds us all that we are on this journey together — how we choose to protect, preserve, and inhabit our natural world will impact (and hopefully inspire) generations to come. Do not underestimate nature's power to uplift us, and our collective responsibility to protect it.
My greatest inspiration has been my father. He passed away in 1998, but the things he has taught me has made him live on. He has inspired me to be a good parent. To care, to listen, to hug and be affectionate with my child. My son gets a hug and a kiss, and l love you's many times daily. That is because of my Dad. He taught me to work hard and take care of your family. He taught me your family comes first, and to respect your wife. He taught me how to be a caring man. Although I miss him every single day of my life, I aspire to be the man that he was, he is my inspiration.
