Who in your life do you admire… and why?
Daily | July 29th, 2008
“Admire, verb: to regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval.”
Carrie says: I am consistently amazed by my friend Anita’s passion for life, she inhales every moment, she eats every morsel of food with her fingers. She is gentle and strong, a wonderful mother and a devoted wife to our dear Howie. Oh, how the world would be if her joy could be drunk.
Danielle says: My friend Yasmina is the “Director of Knowledge” (could there be a cooler title?) at a socially progressive investment fund in New York. Her dedication makes me recall a line from an Indigo Girls song, “There are a hundred things you would die for, I can hardly think of two” (okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but it makes my point.). Her vocation has everything to do with improving living conditions for people in systemic ways. And in her spare time, she and her man founded 100 Friends “…a community of friends to change the world.” She says “I love you” when waving goodbye. Once she recited a Rilke poem in my ear while we sat by a fountain. She speaks Spanish like it’s her first language. She writes a mean grant proposal. I bow to her.
Psst… may we suggest that you invite the object of your admiration to have a peek at your reply today? Share your answer, spread the love.
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July 29th, 2008 at 1:18 am
I admire my three adult children: Lia for being a wonderful mother; Lauren for becoming a mental health counselor and working with families; and Matthew for serving our country in Iraq for 15 months and now testing for selection in Special Forces. I also admire my 6 yr.old grandson for his compassion, poise, and karate skills.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I admire my husband. At 66 years of age he continues to be generative and encourage and pupils at the secondary school he relieves at occasionally (standing in for ill or absent teachers).
He continues to grow and change in ways that amaze and surprize me. Mature integrity and authenticity is an awesome thing. Like fine wine
July 29th, 2008 at 3:44 am
I admire my father. He has taught Sunday School at the Youth Detention Center for more than 30 years. He has made a tremendous difference in the lives of those kids forgotten by their families and societies. My dad’s faith is strong and apparent, but he is a quiet man who has never asked for recognition or credit.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Without a doubt..my mother. A widow well into her 80’s, has outlived 2 wonderful marriages, has had 2 lucrative careers, sells real estate on her terms, still lifts weights at the health club, loves her church in Matteson, Illinois, and has an active social life to boot! All I can say is that Mom knows how to live.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:16 am
My husband. He retired nearly two years ago. He drives for both the Hospice and the Canadian Cancer Society. He delivers food for St. Vincent de Paul – and we no longer even go to that church! He ‘babysits’ his grandsons, takes them to movies. At 61 he’s a Scouter with 1st year Scouts.
And it isn’t that I admire that he DOES all these things it’s that it’s a natural, loving thing done without thought of return.
I see this slightly quizzical look cross his face when he runs into his former work mates at the mall and they are moaning about how much they hate being retired. He’ll tell them there is so much volunteer work that needs to be done and, sadly, too often he gets a response about volunteer work not paying anything.
He’s not being self-righteous about what he does. He just doesn’t ‘get’ the other guys.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Bettye. I admire Bettye.
I met Bettye during a time when I was just learning to articulate the pain of being abandoned by my mother when I was young girl. I am influenced by her self-assured nature and the way she demonstrates love to the people around her. Bettye has taught me that love is not neediness or attachment and that healthy relationships take time to cultivate.
Bettye, through her actions, has taught me that there is a part of myself that I should always save for myself.
I love her.
~Ramona
July 29th, 2008 at 6:15 am
I admire my husband for having a creative well that never runs dry, being aware of the well, and using it to the best of his ability and as often as possible. I admire my dog Princess for putting herself out there: when she wants love, she lets you know it. I admire my 4-year-old neice for braving the most fantastically adorable pixie cut in the land of long, golden mermaid hair (something I’ve always said I’ll do, but haven’t found the courage yet).
July 29th, 2008 at 7:02 am
A more fitting question would be name the top ten, or the top twenty, there are so many. Unquestionably I’d have to put the Dali Lama at the top of the list. I’ve never seen him lose his temper, say unkind words about anyone or anything, and is forever upbeat in his life and living. He sets an example that difficult to ignore.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Rosalynn Carter (former First Lady of the U.S.). She’s eighty years old now, and still working hard for the Carter Center, with health and agriculture projects in Africa, fighting for proper treatment for and of mental illness, championing the cause of caregivers; generally being a gracious and determined lady.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Here are a couple of links so you can learn more about her work –
http://www.cartercenter.org/health/mental_health/index.html
http://www.rosalynncarter.org/
(hope it’s okay for me to put links like this — if not, please delete this! Thanks!)
July 29th, 2008 at 7:41 am
I admire my mother. Diagnosed with MS at 27 she has seen an increasing decline in her health over the past 40 years. From crutches to a wheelchair to now completely bedridden and in a nursing home for the past 19 years. Oh and becoming a widow in the middle of this battle. The positivity she continues to find in life has constantly amazed me. She is kind, generous of nature and generous of anything else she can give. She never sees herself as a victim or feels sorry for herself and is constantly concerned about the happiness and wellbeing of others. The nursing home was a painful decision for all involved, but she now holds court as the happiness director in this place and she is happier than she could ever be isolated in a private home. She is a beacon of happiness and joy wherever she is. I admire her spirit with my entire being. There is no one I know with more joy in them.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Well for me this one is easy.. its my cousin Danielle Laporte.
She has always been truthful to me, been a guidance in my life and helped me make sense of what is..I love her dearly and iam always looking forward to the next time i get to see her and have one of those really tight wonderful hugs!! Danni you will always, always be my light.
P.s We got engaged over the weeeknd!!!
love you lots Katie xo
July 29th, 2008 at 8:07 am
i admire my husband. he is the most genuine, earnest, loyal and loving person i know. last night i had the pleasure of overhearing him apologize to our daughter for having been rude to her over some mix-up earlier. this is the kind of man he is, the kind of man i am so blessed to have at my side. he inspires me and loves me so fully. we have grown so much together and lately, we bring out the very best in one another.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:07 am
You ladies are hitting them out of the ball park!!! Tough questions!
Well, I have to admit I have my perennial icons… like all of you… politicos, artists, philosophers, etc… People I personally admire, but in a general sense, I must say that I deeply admire the working parent. I had the great fortune to be able to afford to be a stay home mother. I witness on a daily basis the tribulations of this generation juggling careers, runnning houses, creatinghomes, and parenting…not necesarily in order of importance obviously, and I think how competent, strong, and caring these people are…
My hat is off to them and those who lovingly care for their children. Indeed nowadays it takes not a village, but a strong family to raise a new generation…
Cécile
July 29th, 2008 at 8:10 am
My Grandmother Mazerolle. She was a formidable woman… When she was a young wife and mother and heard that a school was built in a neighboring community, she stood up for her belief that all children have a right to education. When the emergence of celebrating our Senior Citizens began, she got a committee together, bought an older home and turn it into a community hall for seniors. She started a home building commerce at 78 y.o. and at the age of 99 y.o., when she was placed into a nursing home, she kept telling the doctor the reason why she did not seem to have an appetite is because when she was living in her own home, she had 3 pills to take, and here in this nursing home they give her way too many pills before each meal therefore she is not hungry when her meal is brought in to her. And as far as her communication skills going down, she replied that she was sharing a room with two semi-conscious roommates that were not uttering a word all day long. My grandmother decided that she had lived a long and productive life and that she will not give the satisfaction to “this young doctor” to brag about one of his patient living in a nursing home turned 100 years old and is “living a good life”. She stopped eating, refused IV’s and died 6 days before she would turn 100. It was hard for me to see, but at the same time it was her wish and one thing my “Memere” taught me is if you want something, you are the only one that can make sure you’ll get it!!!!!
Memere was a wonderful, kind, talented, wise, life loving woman. She was a pioneer in many things in her little French community in the northern part of our beautiful province. Mémère had a love of life, a thirst for knowledge, she had been a widow for many, many years, lost 3 of her children, one by a tragic death (murder), and still always believed that life was worth living til the end, and that everything was narrowed down to choices, and you had to live with the consequences of the choice taken. Nothing makes me more proud when someone who knew Mémère will affectionately call me by her name or tells me I look like her splitting image. I strive to live a long, productive life like her, and to be brave enough to make my final choice and die by its consequences….!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I admire my friend Hilda’s, her strength to keep going after loosing the love of her life the day after she gave birth to her second child, not only has she battled law suits with mexican banks for 3 years, she has suported her 2 children and her parents financialy and emotionaly, runs her own business, etc.. she does all this and she still wants to do more. I really admire her strength to keep moving forward with so much love.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:15 am
My Sweetheart, the epitome of kindness.
My clients with multiple personalities. After surviving cruel torture and rape as children, they are the most beautiful people I have known.
The Sufi mystics. Waaaaaay before their time.
Food pioneers – the first person to figure out what to do with an olive….the first person to eat a raw oyster…the person who discovered how to make cheese….and wine!
All the brilliant, powerful women who paved the way for the girls of today – Eleanor Roosevelt, Golda Meir, Helen Keller, Eleanor of Aquitane, on and on….
July 29th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I admire my mommy….for working for less than minimum wage for close to 30 years now…..to enhance my daddy’s vision of a Christian school within the innercity that educates low-income families. For her versatility: scrubbing toilets, being a first lady (preacher’s wife), cooking food for kids/church members, hosting parent meetings, wiping kids’ noses, singing “This Little Light of Mine” and teaching praise dance to kids. AND her most important jobs: being a wonderful mommy and self-sacrificing wifey!!! I love you mommy!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:55 am
My parents – my father for having faith and never waivering from it, and my mother for being intelligent, loving, and non-interfering.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:24 am
And as Claudia admires Hilda, I admire Claudia (Coico / Klotty) my best friend forever.
So far in distance -for so long- and so close to me at any moment.
The eternal fighter for having a happy life.
The coolest single Mom of two, all full of energy and love that is the perfect example of what living a life, enjoying the good times and laughing at the so called BAD ONES is.
She is my inspiration, every single day…
July 29th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I admire myself for my never give up, never quit attitude, for my unwillingness to lay down and die. Admire means to regard with wonder and delight and to hold in high esteem. I hope all of you admire your own wonderful, delightful and highly esteemable selves!
I admire my grandmother Evelyn. By example she taught uncondtional love and forgiveness – starting with ones own self, kindness, wholsomeness, charity and how to be the best cook on the planet!
July 29th, 2008 at 9:27 am
So many people listed their husbands…I’m in awe of that…
Anita. For seeing the beauty in everyone. For always putting fresh flowers in the guest room. For her love of cemeteries and English novels. For her unabashed love of Christ.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I have always admired my mom. She is by far the most incredible person I know and I want to be just like her when I grow up. Not only is she smart but inspiring as well, always looking to improve herself mentally, spiritually, physically…in any way she can really. She maintains such a positive outlook on life and never gives up. When she and my dad were first married, she worked four jobs in addition to his two jobs just to make ends meet and now she is the owner and principle designer of her own successful interior design business, working on multi-million dollar houses! Even in the midst of her busy work schedule, she always finds a way to maintain balance in her life. Who wouldn’t want to be just like her?
July 29th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I admire my friend Amina for having such amazing patience in manifesting her dreams. I watched her in her home for months without any furniture (except a bed) because she had not yet found exactly what she wanted at the price she desired. A few months later and she had what she wanted. As usual. Her patience and focus inspire me. Additionally, she is always willing to support me in my dreams without question, has a great laugh and sense of humor, and generally doesn’t take life too seriously. I am better for knowing her.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:41 am
This is one beautiful reply and an even more beautiful lady! Lucky you to have sich a wonderful Memere!!!
Cécile
July 29th, 2008 at 10:02 am
In general, I admire people who are brilliant/successful/amazing but who don’t take themselves too seriously. There’s nothing like a massive ego to make the level of respect plummet.
In particular, I admire my cousin Bruce Warner. He is an amazing athelete who lost his whole leg in a car accident when he was 19(?), a potentially devastating event. But he has never failed to be open and postive about it, never complained, and he has never failed to let that stop him. Having never seen snow until he was an adult, he has competed in the last three Paralymic Games as a skier.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I admire my mom. I truly do. She has taught me all the goodness of life, and spirituality. She is also hearing-impaired and has been all her life, she never let her deafness stop her from achieving her dreams. She is an inspiration to many, but I feel so blessed to have her in my life as my mom. She always put my sister and I first and allowed for us to have a wonderful childhood, and always allowed us to follow our own dreams and passions, it made us the women we are today… I love her more than words can express, I hope I can live by her example for the rest of my life.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Bruce Warner is my hero.
Not only is he the most positive person I’ve ever met, he is a true gentleman: immediate after his accident he remembers swearing viciously at the pain of his shattered femur, and instantly apologizing to those who were there with him!
It is worth mentioning his mother, Ruth Koller, who raised this incredible person. Not only did she produce four incredible sons, but did it all on her own after her husband was killed in a car accident. I bow to her.
He has inspired his family and all who are lucky enough to know him. His brother went on to become a surgeon because of his desire to help people who have accidents like that, and we have gone on to be better people for knowing him. Cheers to you, Bruce!
P.S. This man can even serve drinks while hopping, without spilling a drop!
July 29th, 2008 at 11:00 am
http://www.jamd.com/search?text=Bruce%20Warner
July 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I admire and live in amazement of my daughter Natalie. Natalie knows exactly who she is and will not allow anyone to compromise her and her beliefs. Natalie stands tall when faced with adversity. She has no problems walking up to someone who has wronged her, and tell them that they have hurt her feelings. Natalie fills her heart with compassion and her mind with action when she sees people and animals in crisis. Her sense of humour is contagious, and her greatest gift to people is to make others laugh out loud. Her concern and action to take care of our planet is commendable. Natalie is an Old Soul, here to get her angel wings. Every night I watch her sleep, and in amazement I can not believe that I have been so lucky for her to have choosen me to be her mother. Did I mention that Natalie is 6 years old.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I admire my big sister, Leah. She really LIVES life. She works hard (lawyer), parties, too (wine and cheese), has jumped out of an airplane, scuba dived, plays the drums at jam session parties in the firm basement, launches herself down crazy steepness on her mountain bike, has organized yoga sessions at her office, stays in touch with family and friends, aaaand keeps her house tidy. I don’t know how she does it.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Pixie cuts are so adorable and refreshing in the midst of long hair.
Let us know when you chop it all off, it is so liberating!!
July 29th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
My mam, she has really been put through the wringer and manages to be the most soulful and loving person I know… The teacher and imparter of unconditional love.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I admire Afi, who has a PhD in Slavic languages, plays bluegrass music (banjo, hammer dulcimer, mandoline), does African dance and story telling, teaches journalism, freelance writes, and has set about to learn html and all kinds of tech stuff that I can’t fathom. And she incorporates all of that into her being without the slightest thought to being confounded by the apparent paradoxes. “I am multitudes” indeed.
I admire my friend K, who was let go from her job and, instead of wallowing in pity and fear, set about to start her own business as a meeting and wedding planner. The speed and elegance with which she got this venture off the ground was mind-blowing. It looks like she just skipped right over the mom-and-pop part of launching a solo venture and went straight to pro. And she’s managing to do it while playing Wii and going to ball games with her son.
I watched Valerie with awe feeding “two birds with one piece of bread” as she says. More than two birds. She got a major book deal. Then she got into grad school. The book manuscript became her thesis. The chapters were her course work. She sold some of the chapters to individual publications along the way. She had the school hire her a personal manuscript advisor that was an expert in her genre. In the end she had a book that had been thoroughly vetted and an MFA and pre-buzz for the book. She’s a laser.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
My mother Erna, who turned 90 on July 20th, because:
-she raised three children who love and respect each other
-she taught five grandchildren about good sportsmanship by playing cards and games with them whenever they came to visit
-she had the courage and persistence to pursue a nursing diploma against many odds and loved her career as a public health nurse
-she has lived with grace, spirit and good humour since losing my father 18 years ago, but still misses her life with him
-she taught me what love, devotion and commitment mean in marriage during my father’s five month illness
-she has lived with grace and few complaints despite some serious health and pain challenges
-she still argues with me about politics
-she just read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a sad, tough story about how hard Afghani women’s lives have been over the last three decades and told me “I”m glad I’m reading it.”
-she never expected to live this long but is making the most of each day as it comes
-she continues to be present and engaged with the world and the people in it, especially the people she loves
-she had the 90th birthday party she wanted with just her family – which now includes 3 month old great granddaughter Jade.
She’s a marvel of a matriarch whose gentle strength has nutured and built a family with deep roots and stong connections.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
My son Harper is four and a half years old. I adore him. Since the day he was born, he views this world with pure wonder and awe. He inspires me to try to do the same, and takes me back to when I did myself. What a divine gift! He laughs from his belly and thinks up great adventure ideas… I’m constantly reminded of all of the beautiful miracles there are everywhere.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
this is easy – my father..he has lived his life, it seems, in a constant state of performing random acts of kindness…it’s as if he has mastered the skill of kindness and has done so quietly, humbly…
July 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I admire my dad, everyone who meets him likes him, at 60 years old there aren’t many people that he has a bad word for, and he’s the most un-materialistic person I know. He’s very laid back, and as a father, he navigated the family safely through life, calm seas the whole way! He was however a keen sportsman – and he always plays to win, none of this just go out and have fun. My sister and I both inherited a competitive streak from him!
July 29th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
As soon as I saw this question, the answer came to me without even thinking. My Dad. He is easily one of the most amazing people I know. He is also one of my ‘if you could invite any three people to dinner, who would they be?”. He is full of wisdom, has an inspiring sense of human and is just one of those people that everybody loves. It took me 28 years to tell him how proud I am of him and I’m glad I didn’t waste another second before saying it.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:45 am
I totally admire my daughter for having a dream and working hard to attain it. She has been my rock, my inspiration, & my soul mate. She has made very tough decisions and has worked to attain her heart’s desures. She not only SHINES… she ROCKS!
July 30th, 2008 at 5:34 am
My grandmother. She always made each of her grandchildren feel as if they each were her very favourite. I want my grandchildren to feel that way too.
July 30th, 2008 at 6:36 am
My mother, the intrepid poet. My stepmother, for her outspoken strength. How lucky I am to have these two women in my life! How lucky is my father?!
July 30th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I admire my parents for teaching me about love, courage and patience. My mother was very young when she married my father. My father was 15 years her senior, a widower with two little boys. Together my parents created a wonderful family. I have never used the word “step” or “half” to describe my brothers. My father always called my mother “amada” (beloved) and my mother always held my father’s pinky finger as they walked. They gave me a good foundation for my own marriage and yes, I too hold my husband’s pinky.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I admire my grandmother and her sisters. These women in 92, 88 and 86. They all graduated from college. In fact, my aunts – 88 and 86 – finished college in the 1940s! They were trailblazers and they are role models for me.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I admire my husband Ben. He makes no apologies for who he is and yet he can admit when he’s wrong and sincerely tries to do better. He wants the best in life: to provide for his family, to live surrounded by nature and those he loves, to be happy with the simple things. He fell in love with me: someone who dreams a lot, talks a lot about what is on her heart, asks lots of questions, searches for meaning in everyone and everything and who fell in love with the one guy who accepts her for all she is, was and will ever be. He does this gently, smiling and believing that she is pure magic is human form. Funny thing is… she looks at him and believes the same.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:04 am
I admire a swedish artist and comedian, Jonas Gardell, for being himself no matter what, for being courageous, for being honest and loving, for raising to his potential after a dark past and for giving hope, laughter, passion and awareness. I admire people with a passion and who are true to themselves. I loathe people who are negative and always complain. That will never move you forward, rather it makes you stuck. But foremost, I admire people with a zest for life. It is a hot day and I am on my way to get the biggest ice cream imaginable, maybe even two! Life is to short for regrets, ENJOY:)
August 14th, 2008 at 10:56 am
My daughter… she and I are connected at the psychic level, so says my husband – she’s Aquarius with Gemini rising and I’m the opposite. I ‘knew’ her the second our eyes locked in the delivery room, and her name, which I thought I made up, is Irish Gaelic meaning, “Little Old Wise One,” which is an understatement. Her thirst and drive are belied by her wisdom and ability to manifest in this world. People just want to be in her presence. Her father and I let her go when she needed to go, and told her not to settle for less than what she wanted. My best piece of advice to her was when she decided to move to L.A. for her music career and I said, “Fine, but stay open to all possibilities and doors that open to you.” She is now an up and coming exec. producer for t.v., and partnering with some of the ‘A’ list directors/producers. Who knew? I was much too young and wounded when I had her, but she’s become someone I truly admire, in spite of all my mistakes. In the words of Maybe Angelou, “When I knew better, I did better.” If you’re reading this, I love you honey..xxx
August 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I just had to correct the last quote, by MAYA Angelou and not MAYBE Angelou LOL.. Linda
August 28th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
My cousin. He draws, and draws, and draws. I’m not kidding. He’ll pull out his sketchbook wherever he goes and just draw without hesitating, its invigorating.