After 3 birthday parties, 2 soccer games, and a wife who is out of town (yep...it fits to the song), I have been a LITTLE busy today, and I am tired. 

But...I promised a short story about tearing up yesterday, so here we go.

An older gentleman at rehab made me tear up. No, he didn't remind me of dad. He didn't make me sad. He gave me a tear and he humbled me.

I was using the elliptical machine. All he did was walk past and point at me....and he said, "You're an inspiration."

TO ME, he said that to ME. Wow. Me, I was inspiring him. Here is someone who has gone through mich more of life's journey than I have, someone who has dealt with trials I am sure I have yet to suffer, and he finds strength in watching me.

Now, don't get me wrong, being the youngest person in rehab, I can push harder than most. And many folks have made comment as to how hard I am working. One fellow keeps telling me.I will break the machine, almost daily. I am.sort of a novelty.

But this, this was different. The man yesterday actually looks up to me and finds inspiration. That blew me away.

I really did not know how to respond. I mean I said thank you, but that seemed inadequate. So, I have been thinking about how I could "respond."

I think I figured out how to say thanks; by showing what an inspiration HE now is to me.

See, with that tiny gesture, he just made me realize that eyes are on me in that facility and that I need to keep up my intensity....every session.

See, if someone, ANYONE is looking up to me, I have to be worth looking up to. 

As you know, the last little while has been hard and my intensity level has suffered a bit. Now I know that I can not let that happen. I have to keep pushing, and keep improving and actually BE the inspiration the man sees in me.

Today's lesson learned:

If you see someone as an inspiration, tell them. At the least you will make their day. If you are lucky, you will push them to be even better than they already are...

Good night and God bless.l