This is NOT text book!

There has been a new blog entry brewing in my head for a few weeks now. This is not that entry!

For those of you who know me, you know it’s not rare to find me in my chair catching up on Oprah eps on my DVR. Tonight I’m catching the episode in remembrance of Senator Ted Kennedy. As the Senator said himself in a letter he wrote to the Pope in the last weeks of his life, “I know that I’ve been an imperfect human-being, but with the help of my faith I have tried to right my path.” Now this super family, The Kennedy’s, generally inspires me when the spotlight is on them. But this series of family interviews has shed a different light: a light of humanness and with humanness comes imperfection. Whether you agree with their politics there is no denial that this group of people embodies something special. Such perseverance; such planning; such a desire for greatness; such optimism; such determination is not of text books.

Family members were asked to share their favorite memories of the Senator. His oldest son told a story of when he was a small boy, diagnosed with a cancer that took one of his legs. It was a snowy day, he was leaving the hospital with his dad, the Senator, and he was getting used to his new artificial leg. Senator Kennedy went in the garage and pulled out the radio flyer sled and asked his young son if he wanted to sled down their steep hill. So they tried and he couldn’t get it at first with this foreign leg of his. He looked at his dad, crying and said, “I can’t.” The Senator simply responded, “…we’re going to do this even if it takes all day. There is nothing you can’t do.” Wow! Now that’s a lesson! And how appropriate is the title of his memoirs, True Compass…definitely not a text book.

Then I realized, this battle between I can’t and I can has been at the center of my weight loss journey since I noticed I couldn’t cross my legs under my desk like the other girls in school. I have been able to accomplish so many things in life and have made it through so many journeys in life. I think that both of my parents instilled a great sense of ‘yes you can’ in me. That leaves me with the question, why not this? But even as I’m writing this I’m realizing that I don’t have to ask that question anymore. Why? Because I’m doing it. Right now I’m doing it. I’m not asking myself or anyone else anymore.

Senator Kennedy shared one of his favorite memories in a recent documentary about his life. It was the story of his grandson who had been struggling with school work and getting into a little bit of trouble. That summer he enrolled the 10- or 12-year-old in sailing lessons. Sailing ignited a spark in him. He was excited about learning and at the end of summer awards were given out. Senator Kennedy chuckled at the fact that it was hard to even hug his grandson because his chest was sticking out so far with pride! What was my spark? My son. The Breast Cancer 3-Day. The people who motivated me on the walk and inspired me through their own great accomplishments. All of the above and more. I finally chose the right path at the crossroads of I can’t and I can. And I’m proud of myself. Can you see my chest sticking out?

So I guess the other blog entry that’s been brewing will make its debut tomorrow maybe… soon I promise! Sweet dreams and goodnight.