08 June 2009: inspirational people
The political hullabaloo in the UK continues with blanket media coverage on the imminent / improbable (depending on whether you’re in the “for” or “against” camp) demise of Gordon Brown as Leader of the Labor Party and as Prime Minister, particularly in the light of Labor’s abysmal results in the local council and European Parliament elections; one example being their loss of Derbyshire council which they’d controlled since 1981 and the Conservatives beating them in Wales in a national-scale election for the first time since 1918. Numerologists may observe some symmetry in the figures involved: 81 and 18 are chiral (or mirror) images of each other. 1 plus 8 also adds up to 9 which in Chinese is the homophone for “dog” so perhaps the country is “going to the dogs” which is this quaint English turn of phrase to say it’s failing.
The plotters who seek to depose the Prime Minister are painting him as weak, indecisive, sexist, cliquey and out of touch whilst his supporters are presenting him as strong, resilient, committed, determined and even heroic in his tenacity to fight on another day.
In fact there are much better examples of genuine heroism and inspirations beyond the Westminster bubble.
(1.) D-Day veterans
Although my family’s roots of reference regarding WWII are different from Europeans and North Americans, I completely appreciate why it’s right to pay tribute and honor to those who lost their lives during the conflicts as well as to the war veterans who survived. Death and loss of loved ones is a grief that’s universal as are the concepts of patriotism, humility and paying respects to those who’ve passed away. Only the rituals and etiquettes are different, btw.
Reading and listening to the recollections of D-Day survivors as well as those who provided them with help and shelter, it’s clear how lucky this generation is that we live in relatively peaceful times and how it’s our collective responsibility to ensure that peace prevails and takes precedence.
(2.) The Puttick family
Some people may wonder why the Putticks’ story is a lesson in inspiration, but it is one nonetheless. On 2nd June it was reported that Neil Puttick (34) and his Japanese wife Kazumi (44) had committed suicide by jumping off the notorious spot at Beachy Head in East Sussex. In a rucksack found nearby was the body of their son, Sam (5), who’d passed away peacefully in his sleep the Friday night before, from pneumococcal meningitis. This brave little boy had also been suffering from spinal chord injuries as a result of a car accident when he was only 18 months old.
Why and how is this family inspirational even though their passing is also immensely sad and moving?
Please take a look at their photo. What’s noticeable in all the photos of Sam Puttick is that, despite his injuries, this lovely child had a bright joyful spirit that shone through in his ready smile and in his alert eyes. What’s also evident is that his parents, despite his injuries, didn’t feel sorry for themselves but were committed to making their family memories as rich and as wondrous as possible.
If you click on the picture you’ll be directed to a blog, stuff4sam, and you’ll be able to see how Sam’s parents ensured that he lived his short life to the full and also how they got involved with spinal research charities.
http://stuff4sam.wordpress.com/
http://www.spinal-research.org/
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4048063/k.BDDB/Home.htm
In a world where we read about child neglect and cruelty, social failures and family breakdowns, and the ego explosion of “me, me again and more me” here is one family’s example of love, devotion and care. Their final days were unfortunate, but hopefully they’ll be remembered for how they lived: with joy in the company of each other.
May they all rest in peace and have safe journeys in their reincarnations.
(3.) Roger Federer
On Sunday 7th June, Roger Federer won his first French Open and matched the record of 14 Grand Slams by Pete Sampras; Federer has won 5 US Opens, 5 Wimbledons, 3 Australian Opens and this French Open.
He is, unequivocally, my favorite male tennis player of all time; my favorite female player is Steffi Graff, btw. Both play in a broadly similar way: highly intelligent, powerful, graceful, tenacious and with great sportsmanship. Their trademark topspin backhands down the line are unparalleled as is the fluidity with which they get into the net and volley early.
Phenomenal players are simply a wonder to watch.
Federer is also my favorite male player because……..well……..he looks so amazing in tennis whites in full flight, doesn’t he?
Only a fortnight before Wimbledon, hurrah!
