In this day and age, you don't hear too many stories of inspiration. People just aren't as nice as they used to be, and it saddens me. That's why, when I read this story about a blinded naval officer receiving a custom made Martin guitar from the friends and comrades he's entertained for years with his guitar playing, I knew I just had to share.
Navy Lt. Brad Snyder was blinded back in September 2011 when he inadvertently stepped on a bomb while serving in Afghanistan. Before that, he used to entertain his fellow troops around the fire by playing a guitar and teaching them songs. I would imagine his guitar playing had a lot to do with many of those men and women's sanity during that time. After being injured, they wanted to repay him for his kindness and raised over $2,000 and had a guitar custom made for him.
The really cool thing about this guitar is that the Purple Heart he received for his bravery in the military was used to make the guitar special. Using inlay design, the Purple Heart is prominently displayed on the headstock of the guitar. It's absolutely beautiful and in my mind, perfect for this young man who almost gave his life for our country.
If you'd like to read the whole story, you can do so here.
Custom Martin Guitar with beautiful Purple Heart Inlay Design
To Inspire: Groceries
It's been a while since I've posted anything inspirational. I like to do that once in a while to make people stop and think about their actions, and to raise spirits. This inspirational story was emailed to me today, and I was really touched when I read it. Hopefully it touches you, too.
'Some people!' snorted a man standing behind me in the
long line at the grocery store.
'You would think the manager would pay attention and
open another line, 'said a woman. I looked to the
front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw
a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine
to accept her credit card. No matter how many times
she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.
'It's one of them welfare card things. Damn people
need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man
standing behind me. The young woman turned around to
see who had made the comment. 'It was me,' he said,
pointing to himself.
The young lady's face began to change expression.
Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the
counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone
in the checkout line watched as she began running to
her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove
away.
After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use
food stamps, I had learned never to judge anyone,
without knowing the circumstances of their life. This
turned out to be the case today.
Several minutes later a young man walked into the
store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had
seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told
him that she had run out of the store, got into her
car, and drove away.
'Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in
the line looked around at the fellow who had made the
statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the
Welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't
have said. I'm sorry,' said the man.
'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was
killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three
young children and she has taken on that
responsibility...she's twenty years old, single, and
now has three children to support,' he said in a very
firm voice.
'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied,
shaking both his hands about.
The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to
the shopping cart full of groceries. 'It wouldn't take
her card,' the clerk told him.
'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had
made the comment.
'Yes, she goes to our church.'
'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front
of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his
credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card.
PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to
ring up the young woman's groceries.
Hold on,' said the gentleman. He walked back to his
shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto
the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three
kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line.
Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast
moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food
and placing it into separate carts. 'Go back and get
two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she
looked at the man.. 'NO,' yelled the man. Everyone
stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became
quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys,' yelled the
man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.
When all was said and done, the man paid a total of
$1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to
the side, pulled out his check book, and began
writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near
the front of the store for a writing surface. He
turned around and handed the check to the young man.
'She will need a freezer and a few other things as
well,' he told the man.
The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is
really very generous of you.'
'No,' said the man 'Her brother was the generous
one.'
Everyone in the store had been observing the odd
commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that
day feeling very American.
To Inspire: If Dogs Were Teachers
If dogs were teachers, we'd learn things like:
-When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
- Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
- Take naps. Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout! Run right back and make friends.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
- Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
I Believe
I believe- That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe- That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in awhile and, you must forgive them for that.
I believe-That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe- That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe- That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe- That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe- That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe- That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe- That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe-That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I believe- That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe- That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe- That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!
I believe- That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe- That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe- That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I believe- That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe- That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe- That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe- That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe- That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other, And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe- That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe- That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe- That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe- That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I believe- That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe- That the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.
In Honor of Mother's Day May 11th
My mother is my best friend. It hasn't always been this way. I can remember a time when I thought I hated my mother. I didn't think she knew what she was talking about, and she didn't know anything. I know better now, being a mother myself.
This just goes to show that you don't really appreciate the sacrifices a mother makes until you are in her shoes. The moment she becomes your mother, she puts your life before her own. She will do without to make sure you have everything you need and want. She loves you unconditionally, and you know she is always there for you.
This inspiring story is dedicated to my mother, and mothers everywhere.
A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:
For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75
Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:
For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge
For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge
For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years: No Charge
For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge
For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge
Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.
When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you." And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".
To Inspire - Angel in the Post Office
I received this story in an email the other day. I don't know if it's true or not, but nevertheless, it brought tears to my eyes. In a world where crime runs rampant, and people keep to themselves, afraid to reach out to others to help, this story is a true inspiration. It give us hope that there are still good people out there who care for others. People who go out of their way to brighten the day for those around them.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her, You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love,
Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.
A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" , in an unfamiliar hand writing. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God
