Believing in Yourself ... And Taking on a Challenge

Not that long ago, I wanted to do something special for my husband while he was off at a weeklong air show. I took my infant daughter to the local craft store and came back home with one jar of black paint, one jar of white paint, canvasses, a few brushes and a palette.

Despite having taken some art classes as a child, I had never painted (artistically speaking) since marrying my husband. I so desperately wanted a painting above my couch, but we couldn't afford what we really wanted.

So, at night, after my baby went to sleep, I stayed up. And, knowing my husband was an avid lover of airplanes, I decided to search for something within my (very small) skill set.

It was no easy task, but I have never been one to back down from a challenge - within reason, of course!

I didn't start small either - this was a four-panel, pristine white canvass spread out before me. 

I wanted to paint in secret; I honestly didn't know if I could pull it off. I had this picture in my head of an airplane in black and white. It looked sophisticated and classy in my mind, but also comfy enough to sit above my couch.

Hesitant, I used pencil to lightly sketch the major features of the plane - the wings, the engines, the propellers, the windows, the wings.

Then, I poured out the untainted paint, watching it fill in the hollow scoops of my palette. It was daunting. I thought about the potential failure of this DIY. I realized it could be really, really embarrassing.

But, I took the plunge and began mixing the colors to create varying shades of gray.

Once I used my brush to pick up the smallest bit of color, I began to see the plane take shape. 

It took some time, some patience and a little late-night work, but my *cough, cough* masterpiece was complete.

It wasn’t perfect, but it did – to my great surprise and relief – actually resemble a plane. My husband was so surprised when he came home. He never expected me to create our own décor - much less paint a plane. He loved it. And, I was happy knowing that my hesitancy didn’t keep me from forging ahead and giving it a try.

That was two years ago, and “my plane” proudly resides above our couch today.

I have recently embarked on a new journey. I am scared that I will fail. But I also know that I won't have the opportunity to succeed if I don't at least give it a try. And, like my painting, my new journey may not be perfect, but with love, patience and hard work, something worthy might just arise.

The plane is proof of that.

Superheroes - big and little

My nephew (and godson) loves superheroes. In fact, after he opened our gift of a red cape and reversible blue and red mask, he wore it immediately. And, just like that, he was transformed from a (far from) ordinary boy into a superhero able to jump over tall(ish) buildings, wield a magic (toy) sword and save his mom from the hazards of a sink full of dirty dishes.

Yes, he stole my heart running around with the world on a string - superpowers oozing out of every limb - every finger and toe.

He reminds me of another real-life hero I so greatly admire. 

Not that long ago, I had the honor of interviewing a young man who had overcome the wounds of war and, despite suffering for an extended period of time, he now thrives in a world in which he couldn't have imagined living just over a year ago.

His service to our country and putting his life in peril is, for me, an unimaginable feat. When I think of the bravery and the courage this man has, my heart aches knowing there once was a time which he would describe as unbearable and a time during which he wasn't really living.

Heroism comes in many forms. My nephew is a superhero - he really is able to lift spirits in a single-bound and leap over hurdles that are known only to preschoolers. His enthusiasm is infectious and his smile will absolutely melt your heart.

And then there is this Marine, who stoically defended our country with little regard for himself but with every regard for others. He now inspires others with an easy smile, laughs with those who may not feel capable of laughing and stands by with waiting hands as others take the reigns of their new lives - and he is there to catch them if they fall.

A hero changes things - makes a difficult situation better, looks out for others and protects strangers just as they would a loved one.

Who are the heroes in your life?

Putting It All In Perspective

Recently, I interviewed an aerobatic pilot and a wing walker. I come from an airplane-loving family, and, although I am not an aviation buff myself, I can appreciate the beauty of aviation.

My husband has a dream of flying in a Stearman: breeze in his goggled face, brown leather pilot cap strapped over his ears and white scarf trailing in the wind. He was excited that I had the opportunity to take these photos. Now, this particular stunt plane happens to be a modified Super Stearman. It is an open-cockpit biplane that once had two seats, but now has just one - a modification needed for the type of stunts it performs. 

The experienced aerobatic pilot was quite interesting to speak with. He gave me (and my children) a tour of the plane and talked a bit about the history of it.  But, what really captured my attention was the passion with which this man spoke of his respect and admiration for his wing walker. And, it turns out, that is for good reason.

I had no idea that his wing walker doesn't use a tether.  That means this gentleman walks the wings of the plane, does headstands and performs other stunts - while the plane is in flight - and he is completely unsecured. I am pretty sure I will never be able to watch his act. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps and that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. This man is absolutely amazing.

But, it made me think of the great responsibility upon the shoulders of this pilot, too. He not only is taking care of his vintage plane and his own life and those who are watching the airshow, but he also is responsible for that man walking on the wings under his command as he focuses on his one job: holding steady the plane.  And, that puts a lot into perspective for me.

There is a great trust that develops between two good friends, two business partners, a patient and physician, a man and his God. That trust is earned and then it becomes implicit - something that defines the relationship.

It reminds me of my marriage. I trust my husband with everything. I trust that he will make the right decisions for our family. I trust that when I come to him with new job opportunities, he will honestly tell me if it is the right time for our family. I trust him to make sure I am teaching our children well, and, if he asks me to do something differently, I try my best to work through it with him. I do this out of respect, because I have seen him take care of me and take care of our family, time and time again. I have been through wonderful times with this man and I have been through difficult times. He is rooted in his faith and he is the one person who truly grounds me. We are bound together by mutual trust.

So it is with these two men. They have a bond of trust - perhaps similar to the one I have with my husband. Though I probably won't be walking untethered on the wings of a plane my dear husband is piloting, I am metaphorically walking untethered in the world. However, that bond of trust is the tether that brings me back, day after day, night after night, no matter what the day may bring.

Whether that bond for you is your bond with Christ, your bond with a spouse, your bond with a good friend, or your bond with a business partner, I encourage you to take care of it. Trust is a delicate virtue -for once broken, it is forever broken. Sometimes that tether is strong. With work, despite the palpable weakness, the repair is relatively quick. But sometimes, as with these two men, once broken, it is forever altered. Keep the tether -- whether visible or invisible -- strong. Never take it for granted.

  

Thank a veteran, equine therapy and the Huffington Post

So, I have been busy taking photographs and writing for a not-for-profit business that works for the healing of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as Traumatic Brain Injury.

It has been such a blessing to me to be surrounded by such strong men and women and an honor for me to be able to be witness to moments of healing as well as to listen to stories that have made my heart break into more pieces than I knew it had.

The statistic published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is that 22 men and women - veterans who have served our country - take their own precious lives every day. It is literally gut-wrenching for me.

I can hardly imagine there are any veterans left in our beautiful country - 22 veterans' lives taken by their own hands each and every single day. I wish I knew what I, an ordinary citizen, could do to make a difference. I have resolved to say, "Thank you," to each and every veteran that I can. Though it once sounded trite and too simple, I have learned that perhaps, it isn't. Perhaps it is something that anyone can do - and it costs nothing.

There are men and women who donate hours upon hours of time to offer assistance in therapeutic horse riding facilities around the country.

I, myself, am not a horse-lover nor am I from a military family. I was here on assignment, but I have stayed to offer my services - in whatever capacity - when I can. There is something special and almost breathtaking about being surrounded by these men and women - brave men and women who, beneath a gruff and sometimes scary exterior, are some of the most compassionate and most hurting individuals you may ever meet.

I was afraid that I would not be welcomed - that I would be an outsider writing and taking photographs of something about which I knew nothing.

Instead, I was warmly welcomed - my heart forever changed.  

The Huffington Post ran this article by Robert Piper and used my photographs!  It is a well-researched article about equine therapy.

I encourage you, even if it seems awkard (which it did to me), to go out and thank a veteran. Shake a hand. Tell him or her that you appreciate what he or she does.  It just may save a life.