TURN THE CORNER
I was so proud of the gown I'd designed and I met some of the nicest people from all over. But then when I lost the national pageant, I felt so disappointed. ... read >
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FRESH LEMONADE
Uncle Spyro and Aunt Aspa didn't speak English, and my Greek wasn't and still isn't perfect. But those peacefully quiet times on the porch were the times that I miss the most. ... read >
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GIFT OF HOPE
This wasn't a normal thrift store, though; it was linked to a community organization that helped to give people with disabilities hope for a better future. ... read >
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MOTHER HEN
I remember that hot summer afternoon when I was finally taken to the hospital to get a glimpse of my much-awaited sibling. I had a baby sister and in my five-year-old mind what was of utmost importance was that now I had my very own playmate at home. ... read >
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THE TWO FAILURES
My sister and I have been a trial for my mother. We were a pair of monkeys and the stories of our escapades are part of the family folklore. My father being in the army was not around too often during our growing up years so my mother brought us up almost single handedly and it must have taken some strength of mind to bring up two such naughty and stubborn children who got out from one trouble only to get into another. ... read >
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LITTLE MISS MARY
A family friend sent me an email one day about this little girl, Little Miss Mary. The letter said that she was on the list for a lung transplant and requested help from the e-mail’s recipients. ... read >
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NINTH WARD TREASURE
I was itching to go back on active duty with the US Coast Guard, especially to go back to the Gulf Coast of the United States. I had been ordered down to Gulfport, Mississippi the night after Hurricane Katrina hit. ... read >
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FINE EXAMPLES
My mother through her fine example instilled within me the desire to help others. She taught me to notice those whom others ignore ... read >
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THE GRACE OF SMALL KINDNESS
Just like I knew that Ryan would be fine, I knew that I would be fine, because love and peace aren't just in heaven, they are in every one of us. They were in the people who packed and painted. They were in the people who entertained Ryan in the hospital. They were in the people who reminded me to eat. They were in the people who had moved us. They were in the people who had arranged for hospice. I knew that just as I had needed Ryan to tell me a joke when I was down; I had needed those people, and they had wanted to be there for me. ... read >
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A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
That Christmas Eve, however, as usual, my father left the house dressed as Santa Claus. He knew that even though our Christmas would be hard, he could not disappoint the other kids in the neighbourhood. ... read >
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I'M GOING TO STRIVE...
Christmas break had just come to be, 2 weeks off. My intentions for these 2 weeks were too clear my head with some problems being faced. ... read >
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THE SHORTEST FLIGHT
I was flying home after attending my best friend's funeral...dreading the five hours on a plane with nothing but my own thoughts to keep me company. ... read >
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2XTREME
John told me that if I could get good grades, have no negative police contact, do at least 60 hours of community service, and stay sober, he would take me on the "2Xtreme Dream" trip.
The “2Xtreme Dream” was a trip to southern Russia to climb Europe's tallest mountain, Mt. Elbrus, standing at 18,510 feet.
... read >
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A GIFT TO ALL - BUT THE GIFT WAS IN THE GIVING
In 1994, the year after my father-in-law died, I planned a surprise for my husband on our anniversary. My husband didn't know where we were going, only that we were flying to see someone he loved. ... read >
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HAVING FAITH IN YOURSELF
"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." This quote has always seemed to describe me perfectly. All throughout my high school career I have always been the person to play it safe. ... read >
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FROM SPARK TO FLAME
When my now 19 year old daughter was in Grade 3, all of Mrs. Mathews’ students were given a small pot with a bean seed to plant. Green string beans it seems are pretty hardy and the perfect seed to use when promoting green thumbs in young children. That same plant was also a most unexpected source of understanding and insight for me. ... read >
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BECOMMING WHOLE AGAIN
We all have our own story filled with chapters about people and events unique to us and I will never forget where my life story took a sudden change of course and brought about my most life altering events with people I’ll never forget.
... read >
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GENUINE RED RYDER 200 SHOT CARBINE ACTION AIR RIFLE
Some years ago I unwittingly start a family tradition for our Christmases. It was based on the premise that all kids deserve a toy on Christmas and that everyone is a kid at heart. ... read >
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I LIVE INSPIRED
Two years ago my life took a quite unexpected turn. I can remember the exact moment, sitting on the front steps of my apartment listening to an old friend explain his goal to help people in recovery from substance abuse. Little did I know this mission would soon expand to include helping the world live more inspired.
... read >
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LIFE IS LOVE
Life, most people say, is fleeting. It flies right by us and we barely even notice until something horrible happens. My name is Bec and I am sixteen. August 3rd was the fourth anniversary of my mother's death. ... read >
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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
I have come a long way from riding on the back of a donkey as a child in Portugal in the 50's and 60's, where I grew up. My family was poor; in fact, I recall times when my courageous mother had to literally beg for food to feed four hungry boys. ... read >
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LIFE IS NOT WORTH WASTING
I was riding in the middle of a field on my ATV when it flipped over on me leaving me paralyzed from the chest down. I lay out in the field for a really long time before going to the hospital, helpless. ... read >
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THE POWER OF LOVE
Raising my youngest daughter as a single parent, particularly through her teenage years, was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. Not denying that there may be other factors involved, I am convinced that my inept parenting had a significant role to play in the emotional challenges my daughter faces. ... read >
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OFFICE ANGELS
I had recently started working at my new job in January 2008 when I started getting these terrible headaches almost every day, among other symptoms. I couldn’t figure out what was causing them. Then it dawned on me, my dentist had been bugging me to get my wisdom teeth removed for a good 3 years and now they were posing a serious threat. ... read >
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MICHAEL AND ST. THERESA
I have been suffering from severe depression for quite a while now, so when my partner suggested we take a day trip to Dublin on the ferry I reluctantly said yes. We arrived in Dublin and while he went to meet a friend I strolled down O'Connell Street just looking at shops and people watching. ... read >
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LIFE IS OURS TO LIVE FREELY!
Peter was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was 16 years old, and was told that his life expectancy was far shorter then an average 16 year old's, and that he would not live much beyond his twenties. ... read >
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MY PARENTS' LOVE
I lived in Dallas, Texas nearly all my life with my mom, dad and older sister. We were raised to respect others, value education, and get all that we could out of life. "You can be anything you want to be," my parents always say. "Work hard and the world is yours," is often quoted in my house. My parents are never without a helpful word of advice or a bit of encouragement when life gets tough. ... read >
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ANGELS AMONG US
In 1992 in Alaska my husband and I struggled to attend school, pay bills, learn to live with limited physical movement, and feed our son. Life was hard. And the winter made life even harder. ... read >
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SURGERY
When I was about 13 years old I cut my spleen while I was snowboarding with my friends. It was a bad accident—I was just snowboarding the way I usually do but I caught an edge. I was out of school for a month and couldn’t do anything for 3 months. I couldn’t even get in a car for 2 weeks because it hurt so badly! ... read >
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DELIVERING SMILES
My name is Destinee. I am 11 years old. I have a friend name Shelby. Shelby and I have set up a small organization with my Mom. It is called Delivering Smiles. ... read >
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AN UNKNOWN FRIEND
Twelve years ago my family, pets and I were homeless, working day labor to get a meal and a motel room. Day labor pays a state’s minimum wage so if one of us was not working we ate lightly or slept under a tree in one of the parks. ... read >
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RUNNING THE EMOTIONAL DISTANCE
When my cancer treatment concluded, I set a personal goal to run 10 marathons by my brother's 10th anniversary in 2009, hoping to raise $40,000 for the Boys & Girls Club and the Stephen O'Grady Scholarship Foundation to honor what should be his 40th birthday. Never underestimate what we can do in the name of love, or with the proper inspiration. ... read >
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SERVING THE UNDERSERVED
My story is about an individual who truly represents servant leadership and community betterment. As a college student, I was fortunate to be hired as an intern for an international community development organization. ... read >
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THE STRANGER
The guy I was with reached into his pocket to give this man a $20 bill. As the other man was extending his hand out to take the money, I put my hand on my new friend's hand and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?" ... read >
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HOW STRONG IS STRONG?
So, do you want to hear about one tough cookie? Her name is Sylvia, and we are close friends. Despite the age difference (she is about 70 and I am 12) we are two friends that will not ever be broken up. That's why I was so scared when she got cancer. ... read >
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MR. AND MRS. POSITIVE
I have two really good friends, Nancy and Richard. They both believe in the power of positive thinking. However, though their personalities are similar, they are totally different in other areas of their lives. The biggest differences are their childhood, career choices, and lifestyles. ... read >
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