INSPIRATION-Who inspired you recently.

[chachi 0]

A TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND


Inspiration. I don't think we look around ourselves enough to find out who can inspire us. To do what? you may ask. To be better, to have more passion, to achieve, to overcome. Today as I sit here I have been inspired to overcome anything that comes in my path by one amazing person. He has not won an academy award, nor is he a millionaire. He has not been on survivor and most people don't know his name. I will tell you though, anyone that has come across his path will remember him. He is a skydiver and one of my best friends husband. His name is Rod Mack. Less than one year ago (April 14, 2003) Rod slammed himself into the ground performing what should have been a routine (for him) high performance landing. Rod's prognosis was in no way flattering. He was in a coma with many, many, many broken parts. It also appeared that he had a major brain injury. Rod's family and friends after the initial surgery were told that things were not going well. If, and this was a big if, he ever woke up he would most likely be a vegetable. He would never do anything for himself, and would never leave a bed. Anyone that knew Rod did not believe this but Dr's do know something about these things so I think anyone can have doubt. Well, no one told Rod any of this. I just got off the phone with Rod. As of today he is living in their new house, he walks with a slight limp and doesn't even use the cane unless he is out of the house. He cracks jokes, he is driving his surgeon nuts because the metal in his leg is actually impeding the rehabilitation progress. Rod wants to do a tandem soon to get back into the sky. Eventually, if his arm heals enough I believe that I will jump linked only with my friend and no TM. I simply can not put into words how grim the outlook was for Rod and what he overcame to be where he is at this point. We can all take a lesson of INSPIRATION from this awesome dude. Remember that there is always someone worse off then you and not complaining. The only thing it takes to overcome obstacles is your ability to persevere.

I also know this, there was one other person that was imperitive for this recovery to happen. Her name is Jodie, Rod's wife. Jodie's unwavering support and belief were instrumental in Rod's speedy revovery and together they form this duo that could overcome absolutely anything.

I love you both!!

~45

[CanuckInUSA 0]

I'm not going to name names, but someone I met not long ago absolutely inspired me to take my jumping and my life to the next level. This person is NOT a DZ.COMer, but some of you do know her and I'm looking forward to next month when I will hook up with her at SDA for a few days of jumping.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[WrongWay 0]

To be quite frank, I'd like to shine some ispiration light on our very own osuskydiver. He and I went through our student progression together, and have been very close friends ever since. Now he's leaving after his bash this weekend to go off and be the newest addition to the Golden Knights. He worked hard ever since we started, doing the best he could to improve his skills in style and accuracy, and put every last penny he had into the sport, with the sole purpose of achieving his dream that he's now going to live out. And most impressive of all, throughout all of this, he has remained humble, the sign of a true champion. We started together a few years ago, a couple of guys who had only done a couple of tandems, and now look what he's doing. His hard work and the success from it inspires me to chase my own dreams and work even harder for them, because if I put anywhere near as much heart into it as he does, my dreams will be right around the corner. Thanks Adam, you're an inspiration to us all, and I'm very proud of you, my brother.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[blueskyserenity 0]

I was inspired by recent events that made me take a look at what is important and whos opinions around me I consider to be important. With so many recent changes in my life I have been holding on to a few things simply b/c I'm scared to take my life in a completely different direction. When my life was unquestionably flipped upside down I was/am scared w/ the unfamiliar. I was forced to take my life in a different direction whether I wanted to or not. My life changes were very difficult, emotionally draining. I most of all didn't want to lose myself in the process. What I'm realizing is that I'm finding myself in the process and change is good. Holding onto habits just b/c their familiar isn't necessary. There is inspiration in the unfamiliar and I am willing and ready to make small changes in my life that will inevitably effect those around me and those that matter to me.

I like coconuts. You can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun!