Siblings Sleep Late....

I've been up for 4 hours on Sunday, and my siblings are still sleeping. I think it's because I wear them out. They very reluctantly tagged along yesterday for a day trip to Philly to get me out of the house and to take a tourist bus ride through the city of brotherly love. Yup, even though we live here, we

acted like out of towners. As you can tell from Big Bro's face in the picture, they weren't too happy. At least no one they know saw them and knows they were riding the open top bus through town like tourist nerds.... Not until now that is. This got me to thinking about my great siblings and all of the other siblings out there who are lucky enough to have a "special" brother or sister. I mean, brothers and sisters are great to have if your "special" or not, but siblings of special needs kids like me are a little different. They may complain a lot, but they do things that many kids their age never imagine. They deal with some stresses that adults would be challenged with, and all the while, they continue to impress and succeed and overachieve. My Big Bro got accepted to American University this week, his "first choice" college. He was also accepted to every other college he applied to and received scholarships and invitations to special honors programs along the way. I am proud because I know I played a part in his success. I helped make him who he is. My Big Sis is the same way. Quietly overachieving throughout the chaos of our family. She won a prestigious American Legion Award when she graduated middle school. The award is given to one boy and one girl from the class for their strong demonstration of character and good citizenship. Those who receive a medal must exemplify six qualities that define character: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service. I know that with my little messed up brain, I couldn't help her with patriotism or scholarship, but I definitely helped her with courage, honor, leadership and service. Siblings of kids like me should be noticed more for all of the unwanted stuff they need to put up with and for all of the caregiving they need to give to someone who can be quite difficult at times. These are the people that this world needs to be its future leaders and thinkers. So, to all the siblings of special needs kids out there, I applaud you even though you don't seek applause. Please share my blog with anyone who deserves a little applause, and next time you see a family out and about with a special needs kid, give their brothers and sisters a thumbs-up, they'll know what it means.

Strong Womenz

First off, I must apologize for missing a post last week. My family went to NYC to see the Arctic Monkeys without me, so I couldn't post. I've forgiven them by now.... 

I guess since it's Valentine's Day I am obligated to post about love and roses and candy hearts....yuck! No thanks Hallmark, I'm not falling for it. If you aren't lovin' your loved ones all year long, your roses are gonna stink. What I will do on this day is give a shout out to strong women everywhere since it sort of fits the mood of the day. I got this idea because today is the eve of my Big Sis' birthday. Yup, Little Lotta, Juicy, Sarah Little Hands and any other nick name Dad gave my sister along her journey is going to be 15 tomorrow. She is one of my biggest heroes. Smart, athletic, beautiful, plays a mean saxophone and cares about others. Like lots of strong women I know, she is unassuming until it's time to shine. She is a true "red light" performer. When the spotlight goes on, she never fails. When the spotlight goes off, she doesn't brag. She's also dealt with a lot being the sister of two brother's who have some serious challenges involving things that a little girl should not have to think about. Thank god for her and Mom being strong women, or we would fall apart. That brings me to Mom. She's a lot older than 15, so I suppose that's why she's even stronger than Big Sis. She truly amazes me every day. She too is smart, athletic, beautiful and cares about others. She can't play the sax however, but I'll let her slide since she can run faster and farther than anyone I know. I'm just glad she doesn't keep running and comes back every time because I don't know what I or the rest of us would do without her. Dad, Big Bro and I are some lucky guys, and never take them for granted. Oh, and neither of them are afraid to bait their own hooks and take their own fish off the line as you can see in the pics.

I hope this post inspires you to take notice of the strong women who make a difference in your lives and that you take advantage of this "Hallmark" holiday to tell them that you appreciate their strength because even though their tough, they need a little TLC too. Plus, they may shovel your driveway for you if you're nice :-)

Don't Lower The Baskets

I've been in the gym shooting baskets a lot lately due to all the snow on the ground. It got me to thinking about how much we lower the bar these days. It's easy to expect less of people and be happy when they exceed those mediocre expectations. Whatever happened to setting the bar high and stretching ourselves to achieve at our max ability or over it? I always shoot on the regulation basket. That's 10 feet in the air. Literally 6 feet taller than me. I couldn't make it when I first started, but after lots of tries, I make it almost all the time now. I can even hit a few from the real foul line. I'm not bragging but merely trying to make the point that no matter how high the bar, or basket, and no matter how much you think you can't, you usually can if you try. It's even more achievable if you have people around you to coach and teach and encourage you. The following quote says it all...I think it's from Michelangelo....who knew a Ninja Turtle could be so smart.

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."