This pops into my head. The Title of a book written by former First Lady Hilary Clinton. I was not particularly a fan of Hilary or the Clintons in general, but this is a lovely reminder that we can all learn something from every person we encounter whether personally or peripherally, regardless of our initial response to them or our feelings about them. In March of 2025, after my second brain surgery to remove a tumor, I was admitted to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago where my life changed and was returned to me. The hours, probably and entire day, after surgery, I had zero control over my left side: my arm, leg, fingers, toes, did not move. No matter how hard I tried to will them to move, there was no response. I was told before hand that this would be a result of the surgery and would be temporary. Upon “Graduation” from Shirley Ryan aka release for home…each resident/student/athlete, is encouraged to leave a message on the Graduation Wall.
This was my message:
Graduation takes a village ! Thank you all so much for being my village: coaching supporting, and encouraging me every day along with God , Who has placed each of you in my life for a very specific purpose along with my amazing family and friends ; all of you have made a difference and blessed my life – I will never be the same and would not have made the varsity travel team without each of you in my life! I am Forever grateful , Christine Morrow 3/4/25 Plymouth, IN
20 in 2020 