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A Two Headed Coin?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was thinking how the bad is everywhere. It seems like where
there is a way to go wrongly - that's what's happening and a few new
ways have been invented. So - consider the following:
Marlee Martin, actress: Appeared in "The West Wing," "Desperate
Housewives," "Seinfeld," "Law & Order," and "ER" - to name a few.
She received an Academy Award for her role in "Children of a Lesser
God" and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. She
shattered preconceived notions of what deafness must mean to a person
and their life.
Stevie Wonder, singer: Stevie has earned 22 Grammy Awards over his 51
year music career - more than any other single male artist. Stevie's
blindness since birth has not deterred him from releasing 30 number one
hits. He has spearheaded many political campaigns, has seven children
and wrote "Isn't She Lovely" for his daughter.
Christopher Reeve, actor: He achieved fame for his role as Superman - a
man invincible and a national hero. After being thrown from a horse
which shattered two vertebrae - he contemplated suicide during the
ensuing depression. He was paralyzed from the neck down - and later
started the campaign for progressive research. He was subsequently
named "Time Person of the Year." Since his death - "The Christopher
Reeve Foundation" carries on his legacy of advocacy and research.
Buzz Aldrin, astronaut: He was the second man to walk on the surface of
the moon. After returning to the Earth he fought alcohol and
depression. He is an outspoken supporter of space exploration and was
awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His legacy inspired the
cartoon Buzz Lightyear.
Ludwig Van Beethoven, composer: He wrote many of his symphonies and
masterpieces - every note, chord, and bar - deaf. His Ninth Symphony is
regarded as one of the greatest works of music ever written.
Jim Carrey, comedian: When he was ten his Father lost his job and the
family lived in a van for a while. Jim got a job working eight hours a
day after school. Through his many movies, stand-up routines, etc -
he's never forgotten from whence he came. He speaks of it openly.
Richard Branson, CEO: He is the fourth richest person in the United
Kingdom - owning a record label, an airline, and a mobile phone
company. In school he did poorly and most figured he would not be much.
Oprah Winfrey, tv personality: She was born to a teenage single mother
in impoverished Mississippi. She worked her way up to being a household
name and owner of a media empire.
Albert Einstein, scientist: He failed his college entrance exam. But,
he went on to write important scientific theories. He did not give up -
even after not getting into college.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, president: He is regarded as one of the greatest
American presidents by people of all political leanings. He had an
illness at 39 that left him paralyzed from the waist down, the rest of
his life. He was elected to office four times.
"He'll never amount to anything. Her Dad is a deadbeat. Their Dad is a
druggie. He cheated the entire time we were married. She laid with
anything." I've listened to all of this and worse - being spoken to and
in front of, the kiddies - all of their lives.
So I wonder: Do the drug addicts try the stuff because they've heard it
for so long they just have to find out "what the big deal is" - kinda
the way the absent parent gets glorified in a child's mind because the
custodial parent harps about the wrongs of the "ex" - but the child
sees fun times with the absent parent and some sort of relationship
with him/her. Does having someone to tell/show you the way help OR did
some just see the truth and opt for a better life?
It's a hard question and one that's "food for thought."
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!!
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