One of the really fun parts about this “Top 30” process is that most of the people I write about don’t have a clue that I’m talking about them. Some never find out and others find out later – days or weeks perhaps. But I’m not writing so that they know. I want the world to know what they have meant to me. Yes, it would be nice if they knew how much they have influenced my life but I try to thank them in person when I see them (if I know them).

What made me think of that is the guy I’m honoring today. He’s my “roommate” at work (I guess it’s more politically correct to call him an “office mate” but “roommate” is so much more fun. And anything we can do at work to make it more fun is terrific (speaking of which, if you don’t think work is fun and you want to get away from your desk on time register for my Free teleseminar titled “Get Out Of The Office and Get A Life” this Thursday – sorry for the shameless plug but it really is relevant).

Chuck is the first guy I met when I got to my new job here in San Antonio 9 years ago. Although I didn’t actually greet him first I met him first. “What?” you’re probably asking. I remember walking up the steps to our building and turning around and seeing this big wonderful smile across the lawn welcoming me! That was Chuck. And things just got better from there.

He’s a brilliant man who can do anything and will do anything you need or want him to do. He doesn’t like people to know this but he’s just a big teddy bear and inside he’s an extremely caring person.

But what I admire and respect most about Chuck is his ability to see the big picture and respond in a much more politically correct and tactful manner than I do (of course that doesn’t take much – I think my dog is more politically correct and tactful than me). But in doing this he’s definitely NOT a pansy. He knows how to debate and turn any argument around into what it needs to be in order for everyone to eventually see the point (usually his of course 🙂 ).

He gave me this book, The Fred Factor and although he thinks I didn’t read it, I did and loved it. I encourage everyone to read it. It could change our world if everyone read it and abided by it.

But I digress….as usual.

Chuck has been the mainstay of our organization for at least the 9 years I’ve been there. He and I act like brother and sister frequently – yelling at each other (although I do all the yelling) and then 5 minutes later – or the next day – everything is back to normal and we’re good friends.  I have such respect for him that I can’t stand being mad at him for very long and now I even feel bad when that has occurred – never thought that would ever happen with anyone…LOL

He takes such good care of me, helping me out when I need extra support or actual work done even though he’s swamped. He’s always at work late and always there on the weekends – the ironic part is that he helped me get out of that mode in the past two years but I don’t seem to be able to have a similar effect on him unfortunately.

He’s always been there when I need a ride or when I’ve had a medical issue.

He’s invaluable as an employee but more importantly as a person. He’s a genius (I already said that), he’s compassionate and caring AND he’s passionate. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before although it does apply to everyone I’ve mentioned in my Top 30 list so far. But Chuck’s passion is slick – he’s able to be passionate without being emotionally invested in the subject – and I truly admire that. For I am emotionally invested in most everything and that’s where I derive my passion from. So see, we’re actually like night and day but the one thing we really do have in common is that we have excellent work ethic and that comes from our military medical backgrounds. We think of the organization first and do whatever is necessary to make it shine. You don’t find that every day or in every person but it’s there and so obvious in Chuck. I wouldn’t trade but perhaps 2 days of the last 9 years with him. I don’t even know if I have a picture of him to put with this post..have to go check.

Chuck, you are my hero!

Terrie

 Chris Knodel (the Irish Goat to me) is a man whom I admired and respected the very first time I met him – at a Thanksgiving run when he had just done a PR (personal record) for a marathon and actually took the time to talk to me. Then when I saw him again at the Christmas races, he always appeared happy to see me and cheered me on just as if I was an elite athlete like him.

He even waited til I finished my race one day to give me the hug I said I wanted. He didn’t have to do that. He had finished a long time prior and wanted to leave but he waited to make sure I had support.

This guy is so far out of my league that I’m humbled by the fact that he even speaks to me and even more humbled that he knows my name and wants me to do well. Most people of his caliber would not even notice my existence.

So why is he an inspiration. For those reasons – he is not too good for himself. He cares about others and knows the value and power of support.

He’s also a phenomenal athlete and did something like 49 marathons in a couple of months – I don’t know the exact number but it was that many or more. And he’s fast. He pushes himself and strives to get better. And yet, he’s also able to take setbacks well and get back up and move forward without falling back down that ladder after all the steps forward. He’s a true champion to me!

I think so very highly of you Chris and thank you for your being in my life and your acknowledging me and befriending me.

I would do anything for you and I hope you know that.

Terrie

 No, it’s not Jackie Robinson, it’s my little “girl”, Jackie. She’s my 14 1/2 year old Siberian Husky!

So how can a dog inspire me? Very easily. Let me tell you a little bit about Jackie and you’ll see.

From 2000-2009 I had Jackie and her half-sister, Crystal – two beautiful Siberian Huskies that I got as “rescue dogs” – that is a a very strange story in and of itself but I’ll spare you the details right now (you’re welcome 😀 ).

In 2009 Crystal developed cancer somewhere in her body and it was manifested in her lungs. Within a couple of weeks she was gone.

I really wasn’t sure that her sister, Jackie, was going to last very long after that since she had always seemed so dependent on her sister and they had NEVER been separated over night.

But that little girl was alot more resilient than I realized. She began to actually flourish with all the attention. And what I realized as the days and weeks went on was, she IS the most perfect dog I’ve ever had. It’s actually funny (if I can get past my guilt) because with the two of them, there was always some sort of trouble in the house (books eaten – expensive medical books have better glue than others I’ve realized, dead birds and mice brought into the house (and bed), a possum killed in the house, anything and everything chewed up well beyond the puppy stage, etc). I never knew what I was going to come home to and I always got to exercise my vocal cords when I got home. I would always have the opportunity to exercise patience with them too but that never worked.

I figured they were both troublemakers but it didn’t take me long after Crystal died to realize that it was all her – Jackie NEVER has gotten into any trouble the entire time she’s been alone with me. It’s totally amazing. I feel so guilty that I never praised her and blessed her  because she was not responsible for any of the problems.

But that’s not why she inspires me.  About a year after Crystal died Jackie started having bowel issues which included significant pain and weight loss. It was horrible to see her in so much pain. We tried everything and went to a specialist and nothing helped. As things got worse I finally took her back to the specialist one day and was sure I would have to have her put down. But the doctor wanted to keep her in the hospital and see if he could figure something out. Magically he found the right combination of food and pills and then later just food and Benefiber. But she went through so much pain for so long that I admired her courage and stick-to-it-ive-ness. She’s been such a trooper through all of that.

Then in the past 2years her joints have started to really bother her and something has gone wrong with either her back or her hips and she has muscle weakness and atrophy (loss of muscle)in her rear end. It’s so hard for her to stand up but she perseveres until she gets up. She never cries but you can tell she’s not comfortable at all. She still tries to play even though it hurts and it’s hard for her to even stand.

Plus, she’s developed a mild (for now) form of dementia so she gets lost at times inside the house. But she continues to be a strong puppy and never ever complains.

She’s always happy to see me, she always wags her tail and she will still do as she’s told even if it takes her longer than it used to.

When I’m having a tough time I just think of Jackie and how hard it is for her to do most things in her life and yet she does them without question. That old gal is tough and I want to be as tough as she is.

I am so very blessed to have Jackie as my family! I love her with all my heart.

Terrie

 Dr. Jackson is a key member of my “team”.  She has saved so many body parts for me since October of 2012 that I lost count! Her talent and her compassion and caring for her patients is beyond compare. I’m hoping you can see a pattern here about compassion and caring. Those are two key qualities that I look for in people in general and especially if I think they are inspirational.

Have you ever heard of AIRROSTI? I sure hadn’t heard of it. My trainer told me about it when he saw how messed up I was in the weeks before the New York City Marathon. So he recommended this to me with the caveat – “I understand it hurts like heck but it works”. But I was desperate enough I didn’t even care about the imposed pain at that point if I could figure out the cause of my internal pain. So I called and hoped for an appointment. I was fortunate enough to get this call back within an hour and got an appointment at another facility for the next day.

The first doctor I saw there said he was leaving in a week but introduced me to his successor – Dr. Jackson. He treated me and told me that at least I didn’t have a stress fracture (which was my big concern) and yes, it did “hurt like heck” (although I used another word at the time…LOL). So he made some follow-up appointments for me.

When I first saw Dr. Jackson her attitude and demeanor was so uplifting and exciting I almost forgot about the pain she was going to inflict (I said “almost” – ha ha).

As the days and weeks went along I became a frequent flyer at Dr. Jackson’s shop. She has always been able to help me physically and mentally. She emails me to see how I’m doing or how an event went. Where do you find that in a doctor nowadays?

Everything I’ve needed (physically, mentally, spiritually) she has provided just by smiling, listening and staying in touch. She cares about people.

The value of a doctor in our lives at this time in our lives is minimized. Mostly people just complain about us doctors – for almost any reason you can find they complain about their provider. Why is that? In the “old” days – the time that I wish I had been born in – when doctors were considered part of the family and were appreciated for whatever help they were able to provide. Now, it’s like taking your life in your hands by admitting you’re  a doctor.

When you think of Dr. Jackson, though, you don’t think of her in the way you think of most doctors. She is confident yet not conceited or egotistical. Her confidence shines in how she talks to you about your injury. But when she’s talking about YOU as a person or to YOU as a person, her radiance shines forth. Some people call it charisma and I would say that’s a great descriptor for her.

She is one of the most valuable members of my support team and she is someone I admire and want to emulate in my interactions with people. That’s the way she’s been inspirational for me!

Thanks so much to  Dr. Jackson and AIRROSTI!

Terrie

 I don’t even have a picture of this man but in recent weeks he’s become a great source of inspiration to me. Has this ever happened to you – you’re just minding your own business and then someone steps into your life rather inconspicuously and unobtrusively only to start popping into your field of vision frequently after that? Well, that’s how Mr. Keith came into my life.

I was at the gym with my trainer one day and this big tall guy came over and started putting our weights away (while we were using them). I was very surprised but Dan (my trainer) knew what was happening and went and talked to him. He (John) had thought that people had just left the weights out as frequently happens at that gym and John was trying to tidy up. We all got a cute laugh out of that and went back about our respective businesses.

The next time I remember seeing John he was wearing a Navy ball cap so I asked him if he had been in the Navy and he had. So we had something else in common (the first was knowing Dan and caring about doing the right thing to clean up our own mess). We exchanged pleasantries and that was it. Another fleeting moment.

But then last week I was on the treadmill after my 50 mile run waiting for Dan and of course feeling a bit “down” and sorry for myself because my knee was really trashed and I was concerned that it would hinder my running from now on.  Next thing I know I got a tap on the shoulder and it was John saying hello. I thought that was nice in and of itself. So we got to talking a bit. He told me that he had had cancer (and beaten it) and was on a ton of pain pills after multiple surgeries and that he was still working but that they had cut his hours down some so that he could rest more. He said it in such a “matter of fact”, “that’s just the way it is” manner – not trying to solicit sympathy or anything, just explaining that I was touched in a way I had never been before. Here was a man who had served his country in the Navy and never asked for anything, who had experienced more medical challenges than I could ever even comprehend, and was still concerned about the world and people around him to the degree that he goes out of his way to be nice and friendly to others.

This inspired me. It may sound dorky to you all but his resolve and quiet nature while enduring such pain and personal agony makes me just go up to him and hug him every time I see him now (that’s a funny picture since he’s about 2 feet taller than me – maybe not that much but it seems like it).

Whenever things appear rough I have John to think about and know that I can get through it and that whatever I am going through is nothing compared to what he’s experienced and yet he’s still at the gym every day taking care of himself and having wonderful words of encouragement for everyone around him. And he has praise for his medical care, not complaints (which often happens with people in chronic pain when their pain can’t be completely relieved).

This man is a true inspiration to me and makes me concentrate more on gratitude for all the great things I have going on in my life (and have had all my life – everything has happened at just the right moment in my life even if I didn’t realize it at the time).

Thank you John Keith for “popping” into my life at this time. May I bring a smile to your face and the knowledge that you have a shipmate that cares about you and respects you highly!

Terrie