Please read the last one.
To inspire and encourage more positive vibes on Steemit, here's your Daily Dose Of Faith In Humanity & Good Karma!
[Blue Angel] Steve Mitchell, born with Down Syndrome, was a huge Duke Blue Devils basketball fan. In 1980, the only thing Steve wanted for Christmas was a Duke basketball ticket. By luck or fate, Steve's brother owned a construction company that was hired to renovate Coach K.'s house. In an effort to grant his brother's wish, he asked how he could get a ticket, to which Coach K. responded "He can sit behind me".
With Steve's wish granted in the best way possible, he wrote back to Coach K. just before the next season saying, "Coach, I know we're going to have another great year. I was hoping that I could sit near you again." Instead of having his fan mail handled by admin, Coach K. personally wrote back agreeing to the request... and they exchanged the same letters for 36 more years before his death last year! Wow.
I think that this gives valuable insight into the character of a sports icon behind the scenes, where he's often viewed as a stoic man on the court. More importantly, it also granted Steve immeasurable confidence, happiness and joy year after year. Here is a picture of them shaking hands as they did before every game. It's also worth noting that Steve enjoyed emulating Coach K. during games and could often be seen on TV acting the part.
[Honoring The Fallen] What better way to pay homage to your brethren lost on 9/11 than climbing the height of the World Trade Center Towers as a tribute?
As a result of that fateful day, 343 firefighters lost their lives. While the highest a firefighter reached was the 78th floor, firefighters and first responders around the country voluntarily climbed 110 stories of stairs (about 2,000 steps) in full gear last year. I can assure you that nobody complained about a single step, no matter how hard the climb was.
[Parallels] I wrote this sitting with my family next to my Dad who has a few hours left to live. We've been up all night, with little sleep for days during the final stages. I thought it'd be nice to explain some fascinating coincidences here since it helps me cope...
One of our amazing home hospice nurse's Dads commuted to work with my Dad on the same bus for many years decades ago. Our nurse's husband was "randomly" my first drum teacher when I was in middle school, and I took my first drum lessons exactly where my Dad is in the living room now. This is also the exact spot where my parents were married 36 years ago, where there beds have been adjacent for the last two weeks. Our home hospice nurse and my first drum teacher also moved in as our neighbors a few years ago, and this has been immensely helpful for her support on short notice around the clock. I've developed a new understanding and respect for the work done by hospice care takers. The value of their care, sensitivity, and demeanor is incalculable.
Regardless of whatever nuances or difficulties get in the way of your day-to-day, please take the time to appreciate the gift of life, good health, and family as much as you can. Value every day you have and every loved one in your life. When it comes down the end, only love and peace matter.
I started writing these types of posts to help me focus on positives and personal growth during this phase. Thanks for reading and for your support.
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