Re: Profiles in Courage

[Guest guest]

Yes, we do. And, somehow I just see a lot more courage here than some

wealthy senator who decides to go against his party on a vote or some

$10 million a year athlete who has a sore pinky but braves up and

plays the game. lol

>

> Bruce... yes, there are many...no, all of us on this particular

board, learn about courage first-hand.

>

> Mama-Sher, 69; IPF, 3-06, OR.

> Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

> Profiles in Courage

>

>

> The word courage comes to my mind so often here. The courage

really

> of everyone here. I think of it when I think of so many of you,

in

> fact I was going to mention a couple but would want to include

> everyone and not know where to stop.

>

> But what made it really jump so vividly into my thoughts today

was

> Irene. Then in my mind that wanders in all directions I thought

of

> F. Kennedy's book, Profiles in Courage.

>

> For those younger than I, he wrote in while Senator and it was

about

> eight senators who her recognized for acts of bravery. I'm sorry

and

> they may earn our admiration for each taking very unpopular

political

> stances. However, those who read about them learn nothing really

> about courage on a comparative scale.

>

> Now, a real study of Profiles in Courage would be all the

incredible

> people here. I looked the word courage up and I even differ with

many

> of the definitions, which say facing danger or pain without fear.

> Rather I chose this definition:

>

> " The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face

> danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence,

and

> resolution. "

>

> Now thats the courage here. A community of people who in spite of

all

> the reasons to surrender to monster diseases and to give up on

> living, have found the strength and fortitude to continue to live

to

> every possible degree they can.

>

> I also don't know how many of you saw or remember the

movie " 's

> Song " . It was a beautiful love story (and not of the sexual kind,

> just of the caring friendship kind) between two men from

different

> backgrounds, with different personalities to found a common bond.

> Piccolo was a player who struggled to make the Chicago

Bears

> football team. Gayle Sayers was one of the all time greats. When

> Gayle Sayers hurt his knee, it was Piccolo, who despite

having

> cancer drove him to rehab and regain the ability to play and make

a

> comeback. Piccolo was quite a talker too. Gayle Sayers

> stuttered and never spoke publicly.

>

> Well, Gayle Sayers received the Halas award for Courage

for

> his comeback. To the shock of everyone who knew him he stood

before

> everyone and made this acceptance speech.

>

> " I'd like to say a few words about a guy I know, a friend of

mine.

> His name is Piccolo, and he has the heart of a giant and

that

> rare form of courage which allows him to kid himself and his

> opponent -- cancer.

>

> He has a mental attitude which makes me proud to have a friend

who

> spells out " courage, " 24 hours a day, every day of his life.

>

> Now you flatter me by giving me this award. But I say to you here

and

> now, Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the

> S. Halas award.

>

> It's mine tonight and Piccolo's tomorrow.

>

> I love Piccolo.

>

> And I'd like all of you to love him too.

>

> And tonight, you hit your knees:

>

> Please ask God to love him. "

>

> I've seen more courage by my friends here than I knew possible

and

> far more than all the so called courage I'd seen prior to my

months

> here. This community is full of Profiles in Courage.

>