trees and forests

If a tree falls

How many times have we heard that lovely saying – If a tree falls and no one is around to hear it, does it really make a sound? Bear with me, my random mumbling is about to start, but it will eventually make sense…

Last week I was again faced with a very passionate individual expressing what a wonderful inspiration I was. I know I have mentioned this before, but I need to revisit for just a moment. Inspiration… this word keeps coming up, and I honestly don’t think it applies to me. When I think of inspirational people, I draw pictures of people who drive you to do more, to be more, to rise above expectation, etc. I just don’t imagine myself providing that motivation. Here’s where this blog entry takes a turn.

My life has a wonderful magnet… I’m attracted to weird occurrences, next level coincidence, and just plain and simple “different” luck. At the same time, I am fortunate in that I have met some truly extraordinary people as well. Two such wonder humans are KM and AC.

KM – I have been lucky enough to know for at least 14 years. I can say in the last few years we have become pretty good friends. Last year KM did battle and won against breast cancer. She went through chemo and the world of chaos that accompanies it. The strange thing about it is she has never shown any sign of weakness. KM has a great supporting cast, especially a mom who took on the role of super hero during her battle. I have had many discussions about being sick and fighting with KM and what I remember most about all of those conversations is her laugh. She has this laugh that makes you want to smile, because she laughs from inside. Even when I saw her in the middle of it all she was still laughing, and that made me happy.

AC – I happen to be a wee bit closer to, because AC is my cousin. AC did battle with breast cancer as well and came out on top, much more recently… last month. I went to spend time with her, fooling myself that I was there to help. It just so happens that AC, on top of being a wonderful caring cousin, also takes care of my dad. My mom joked and said it was the three stooges of sickness in one house… I stood up and said, well at least this stooge is capable of calling 911 if one of the other stooges feel ill, woke me up, got the phone for me, and dialed the number… but at least I could hold the phone – for a few minutes :o).  The fascinating thing was that if it weren’t for the drainage tubes and lack of use of her arm, I could not tell that AC was sick. Her spirit is infectious!!! Not one tear, not one poor me - I think the only time she actually asked for help was to peel an orange. An example of the type of will to succeed, she started practicing to write and eat with her opposite hand as soon as she knew about the operation… just so that she could continue to be independent. Who does that??? AC does.

In the quiet moments on the day before I left AC to return home it occurred to me – KM and AC inspire me. It’s the people like this in my life that make me know that I can get up every day, even on the days where it seems impossible. Neither of these great individuals skipped a beat in their life, at least not a beat that I could see (or hear). When you speak to them, they only ask for what they need, give you the facts on what’s going on with them, then right back into optimism mode. I love them… both of them.

So my “ah ha” moment. Is it possible that the inspiration that people are saying they get from me, is coming from things I do every day? Parts of my life that I take for granted as just must-do, but to someone else it pushes them to do more? If this is the case then I will happily accept the tag and will strive to give you much more fuel for pushing forward. Please understand that I do not say that from a place of superciliousness (used a thesaurus, thought it looked cool, my word was conceit), but rather I think I get it now. But again I say, it’s the people around me who encourage me to continue fighting, to push on, to refuse to quit, to get up every day and just do it! So, to say I inspire you is to give the same credit to an extraordinary wife, awesome brother and sister, solid as a rock parents, wonderful aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins. My friends… well they say you can get through life just fine with 3… I have way more, and I thank God constantly for them. AND these two spectacular children of mine - on their worst days they inspire me. Inspire… they inspire me. I get it.

It really is a reciprocal relationship, this inspiration. I’m glad to play my part. As much as I give, I think I receive way more. Thank you KM and AC, your gift has given me life.

So what does this have to do with a tree making a noise? Well, not much really. Both of these women represent trees in my life. Places of strength, peace, nourishment, shelter, health… but they never fell, even under the worst kind of pressure. So, does a tree that never falls in the middle of a forest make a noise? That doesn’t really make sense… well nothing about fighting these nasty diseases ever does.

If you can think about someone who inspires you in any way, please take the time to let them know. Not tomorrow, do it today. It’ll give them something to smile about… a smile is always good.