Admiration (Women)

I've been thinking of late, so much about who I admire and who inspires me. 

My Mother ~ Janet:  Who doesn't dare admire their mother!  My mom moved  away from the very small town she grew up in (Fort Fairfield, Maine), with my dad (Howard) and my oldest brother (Dan), to come to Columbus, Ohio because is was said that jobs were good there.  She raised 4 children (and never took any crap either), mostly alone, with no car.   My father worked on the Railroad and was gone so much of the time.  She's a great lady, always giving of herself to others (quilts,  afghans, etc...), but most of all she's my best friend. 
*She inspires me to give more of myself to others.

My daughter ~ Jessica:  She has gone from the girl that hated kids and would never have any, to the best, most patient and loving mother of Bowyn I could ever have imagined.  I admire her for her athletic ability.  As slender as she is, she can knock the biggest guy around on his ass in one fell swoop, and leave him wondering just what hit me.
*She inspires me to be more out spoken and courageous.

My Friend ~ Gayle:  I met Gayle when we started working together in 1999.  She was always coming up with ideas to start a business (Doggie Day Care, Photography, etc...).  We would all just say "Yeah, that's a great idea", and that was it.  She finally took the leap and started her own business.  I admire her courage to take such a step.
*She inspires me to take more leaps out of my comfort zone.

Meet ~ Opal:  This is one of the residents where I work.  Can you guess how old she is???  She will be 101 in December.  She hardly looks 80 if you ask me.  When her grandson asked if she was afraid of dying she said "No, matter of fact, I think it will be a wonderful adventure."
*She inspires me to want to live a long life and be Happy with what I have.

Meet ~Virginia: That's a song you know, and she deserves it.  This lady is also a resident at work.  She just turned 102, last week.  She's small but feisty.  She uses a walker, but it's just to push her way through her everyday life as she certainly doesn't need it for walking.
*She inspires me to move past any and all unwanted obstacles to get what I want.


Others that inspire me: 
*My Aunt Gail, for the taking care of my Uncle who has cancer and arthritis.  Life can be hard but some endure because of love.
*My Nephew's wife Nina, for her writing skills and artistic talents.
*Lindsey Rynolds, for her true grit spirit.
*Katie Lehman, for the courage to go abroad and live alone in a foreign land.
*Lindsey Blades, for her spunk and living life on her own terms.