All in due time

During my morning Today show addiction this morning, they announced the 2009 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. The award recongnizes people who have demonstrated significant political courage. By the very nature of the award, it can be assumed that recipients were probably not well-liked at some point during their career. This year's recipients are Sheila Bair, chair of the FDIC and Brooksley Born, former chair of Commodity Futures Trading Commission. They are being recognized for their efforts to alert political leaders in the early 1990's of impending threats to our economy. At the time, these individuals were ignored despite mounting evidence at the time. Now, they are being commended for their attempt to incite support that could have thwarted our current economic crisis.

Later in the morning, I watched live video streaming of a major cancer research announcement from the halls of UAMS/UALR. Dr. Zharov and Dr. Biris have discovered revolutionary cancer treatment that will allow for customized cancer treatment above and beyond chemo and radiation. Apparently, the treatment will attack cancer cells without harming other cells. It can deliver a more precise treatment than is currently available. Moreover, the research has found significant success in actually killing cancer cells instead of sending them into remission.

As I witness these two announcments (neither of which will make lasting headlines) I am reminded that all things happen in due time. I can't imagine that any of these people could have realistically thought they would see the fruits of their labor come to fruition within their lifetime. It reminds me to slow down and take things one day a time, being very methodical about the job given to me to perform in this moment. I'm sure many of us are guilty of always thinking of what's next instead of what's right now.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up to politicians and cancer. Makes my job seem insignificant but relevant at the same time. We each have our areas of influence. Perhaps there is value in watching for what is happening within those areas instead of being concerned with outcomes and measurements in someone else's area. I have seen through these two examples, individuals whose mission in life was to help or protect people. This process took years to accomplish and is still a work in progress. Gives me hope that I am a work in progress and so is my life's work.

Bephelants, Hi Morning, and Aminals

Aren't kidims great? We took our kids to see Earth over the weekend. By the way, if you have not seen this movie, it is like two hours of white noise and scenic photography. I was about to fall asleep from relaxation just watching it. It was a great movie. But during the movie, Robyn and Kiley were all ears and eyes. Robyn was enthralled by the Bephelants (elephants) and Kiley always talks aobut the Aminals (she is still working on her phonics). But my favorite kidism right now has to be Robyn in the mornings. When she wakes up and I go into her room to greet her, she looks up at me, still sleepy-eyed and says in the sweetest voice "Hi morning, Mommy". What a great way to start the day!!!! Her sweetness lasts about 5 seconds before her tanacity kicks in. But those 5 seconds are priceless!

Other cute Robynisms right now:

"Yes my am" (doubles for Yes I am and Yes, Ma'am)
"I lub you" (I love you)
"I lub you wed finger nails" (I love your red finger nails...said while she was admiring my painted toe nails)

Her words are coming very fast. She is trying to keep up with Kiley. She is doing a pretty good job considering Kiley has two years practice on her.

Good times. We are headed to Kiley's art show tonight. Then, the kids are staying with Brad's mom for a couple of nights. Brad and I look forward to having dinner with some old friends tomorrow night. More later...