TarHeelMom
Cathlete
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Apr-25-02 AT 04:46PM (Est)[/font][p]Okay folks -- I've been thinking about this and I'll take the plunge and start this thread --brilliantly suggested by Shelley (dogonyx) under the thread "ATTN: AQUAJOCK" -- because I think it's a fabulous idea. Think of this thread as our collective gift to Kyle and Eric. 
Kyle and Eric, you guys have a great Mommy and I'm her fan because (in no particular order):
(1) She talks the talk. Her mission is all about personal wellness -- not just about building great cleavage, or tight buns, but about building a strong, healthy body and within it a strong, self-loving spirit. What a great message for women (and men) of all ages, and how contrary to so much in this thinner-is-better, botox-obsessed society.
(2) She walks the walk. This is a little woman who isn't too thin, who hasn't enhanced her body, who loves a good Devil Dog and some good German food once in a while, who isn't afraid to let video permanently capture a less-than-perfect hair day and a little mascara smear -- BUT who also very publicly practices the self-discipline and self-love necessary to treat her body and her self with respect, care and admiration. A model of balanced wholeness and wellness. All good things in life in nourishing moderation. She practices what she preaches.
(3) She has a generous and loving spirit which extends not just to her family and circle of friends but to a huge community of strangers. How many of us can say that? All of us benefit from Cathe's generosity and example every day on these wonderful Forums, which, as Aquajock has said, are a great lovefest that we don't owe anyone an apology for. And think of all the good done by the puppies Cathe's raised who go on to live their lives in service to the disabled. That's just two examples we know about, but they are evidence of a commitment to the idea of "giving back," and I'll bet there are lots of other examples of this kind of generosity in Cathe's everyday life. Most people believe in the idea of giving back some of your good fortune to those around you; fewer people actually follow through with truly selfless actions. In Judaism this is called a mitzvah -- a deed done for the good of others, without any thought about or focus on personal gain. Those puppies, these Forums, and I'm sure much more in Cathe's live are mitzvahs.
(4) She's one great teacher, on video and here on the Forums. She's likable and funny, sometimes endearingly goofy, always smart and informative, always positive, upbeat, encouraging, always professional yet personal all at once. (And she's real cute, too. ;-)) You can't help but think that if she lived next door, she'd be a great neighbor and a really fun girlfriend.
(5) She reminds us, by example, that when you're feeling down in the doldrums for whatever reason it's almost always possible to pull yourself up and out to a little better place. Sometimes there are little hints in Cathe's posts that she's had a crummy day, or doesn't feel well, or is under a lot of stress. But it's also obvious from her posts that she makes an effort to rise above the negative and look for the positive.
For all of those reasons, Cathe is a wonderful example to all of us of how good a human being can be, and how much influence just one fine person can have in this world.
There now -- Eric and Kyle, that's what I think about your Mom. You are blessed little boys (and she's a blessed Mommy to have you, too!) -- follow your Mommy's lead in life (and Daddy's too -- he seems to be just as terrific as your Mom is!) and you surely can't help but end up as good, decent, kind, likable, productive young men.
Kathy S.
Kyle and Eric, you guys have a great Mommy and I'm her fan because (in no particular order):
(1) She talks the talk. Her mission is all about personal wellness -- not just about building great cleavage, or tight buns, but about building a strong, healthy body and within it a strong, self-loving spirit. What a great message for women (and men) of all ages, and how contrary to so much in this thinner-is-better, botox-obsessed society.
(2) She walks the walk. This is a little woman who isn't too thin, who hasn't enhanced her body, who loves a good Devil Dog and some good German food once in a while, who isn't afraid to let video permanently capture a less-than-perfect hair day and a little mascara smear -- BUT who also very publicly practices the self-discipline and self-love necessary to treat her body and her self with respect, care and admiration. A model of balanced wholeness and wellness. All good things in life in nourishing moderation. She practices what she preaches.
(3) She has a generous and loving spirit which extends not just to her family and circle of friends but to a huge community of strangers. How many of us can say that? All of us benefit from Cathe's generosity and example every day on these wonderful Forums, which, as Aquajock has said, are a great lovefest that we don't owe anyone an apology for. And think of all the good done by the puppies Cathe's raised who go on to live their lives in service to the disabled. That's just two examples we know about, but they are evidence of a commitment to the idea of "giving back," and I'll bet there are lots of other examples of this kind of generosity in Cathe's everyday life. Most people believe in the idea of giving back some of your good fortune to those around you; fewer people actually follow through with truly selfless actions. In Judaism this is called a mitzvah -- a deed done for the good of others, without any thought about or focus on personal gain. Those puppies, these Forums, and I'm sure much more in Cathe's live are mitzvahs.
(4) She's one great teacher, on video and here on the Forums. She's likable and funny, sometimes endearingly goofy, always smart and informative, always positive, upbeat, encouraging, always professional yet personal all at once. (And she's real cute, too. ;-)) You can't help but think that if she lived next door, she'd be a great neighbor and a really fun girlfriend.
(5) She reminds us, by example, that when you're feeling down in the doldrums for whatever reason it's almost always possible to pull yourself up and out to a little better place. Sometimes there are little hints in Cathe's posts that she's had a crummy day, or doesn't feel well, or is under a lot of stress. But it's also obvious from her posts that she makes an effort to rise above the negative and look for the positive.
For all of those reasons, Cathe is a wonderful example to all of us of how good a human being can be, and how much influence just one fine person can have in this world.
There now -- Eric and Kyle, that's what I think about your Mom. You are blessed little boys (and she's a blessed Mommy to have you, too!) -- follow your Mommy's lead in life (and Daddy's too -- he seems to be just as terrific as your Mom is!) and you surely can't help but end up as good, decent, kind, likable, productive young men.
Kathy S.
