A Special Reminder

Today Todd brought home the newspaper with a smiling bright young lady on the cover. She was holding several medals one which happened to be gold. It only took me a moment to recognize her. She has been a camper at the youth summer camp we put together for the past few years. Last year, she almost didn't come because her dad had recently been diagnosed with cancer. But she was brave and came anyway. Two months ago, this brave teen made her way across the ocean to the Special Olympics in Japan. During that time she never called home and waited with all her will-power to bring home the gold, silver and bronze medals she had won there as a surprise for her family.

What many people didn't know was three days before she left her dad died of cancer.

This girl has touched my heart in a new way. I have struggled with doubts and fear so many times in my life and if only I could have had one ounce of her courage things might have seemed different. It only encourages me to know that if this brave young woman could survive all she endured and face life with a smile, I can too. Even if it hurts. Even if it is unbelievably painful. I can make it.

With God's help.