You Can Borrow Mine

Tomorrow my youngest son turns 6. Even though that is normally a big day, it is a very special day for us, every birthday Tai has is extra special. See, 6 years ago tonight, my wife Camille was in the hospital, 3 months from her due date of December 16^th. She had already been in the hospital for 3 weeks, having gone into premature labor at only 5 months into her pregnancy. The Doctor had told us that the baby would have a very low chance of survival if he was born before 28 weeks, Cammie, being the fighter she is, was able to hold on until she reached that mark. Tai was delivered by emergency C-section, 3 months early and barely 3 pounds. His first 24 hours was very touch and go, but like his mother, he is a fighter and against all odds, he made it.

As I watched him grow over the next 6 weeks in the ICU, fighting every day, I was amazed at how the human spirit is programmed to fight for survival. All of us are born with a will to live and a “never give up” attitude. I learned a lot watching my son grow and as I look back over the past 6 years I am inspired to be like him.

I am fortunate that I have been blessed with amazing people in my life. The things my wife has accomplished in spite of her “disability”, inspires and motivates me everyday. Carl Daikeler, a few months back, wrote a blog about people that inspire him. He talked about Cammie and when I met Carl in June, I thanked him for acknowledging her and I told him that it was impossible for me to not be motivated and inspired everyday because of what an incredible example she is. I am lucky, I am surrounded by inspiration and motivation every day of my life.

But what if you don’t have what I have, what do people use for motivation and inspiration if they aren’t surrounded by it. Throughout life, we lose that ingrained will to survive. We let life beat us down to the point that we lose that “never give up” attitude that we are born with. Some people are able to rise above life and hold on to that, most of us aren’t that strong but it is still there, deep inside, all we need is a little inspiration to spark that into motion again.

Like I said, I’m lucky to be able to wake up every morning and see a little 6 year old that has fought everyday of his life to be here. I am fortunate to have 2 other amazing children that are driven, caring, compassionate and natural leaders. I am blessed to have Camille as a role model to look up to and to draw strength from. For those of you who don’t have that inspiration to achieve more than you ever thought you were capable of reaching for, you can borrow mine. I will gladly share it with you.

Today your life can change. Today you can make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. All it takes is a little inspiration and that never give up attitude. You were born with it, I know you still have it in you.

And to my Birthday Boy, thank you for being my inspiration. I am proud of you and I love you more everyday.