People Who Inspire Me - Part 1

I have nothing thrilling to report in my life, but there are a couple of people that I know who are grabbing a big tub of life, cracking the lid open and molding the goo into the exciting, colorful forms that they crave.

First, my sister, who now ranks on the level of nails on my toughness scale, ran ANOTHER marathon. That makes it her third marathon this year. Three marathons. In one year. Do you know how many lost toenails that must add up to? Me either. Just thought I'd ask.

Anyway, this marathon that she just ran was a bit different from the others. It wasn't a standard race against the clock, body and mind. This time she was running in support of Dean Karnazes. You might have heard about him. He's the guy who's taken on the challenge of running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. I think Karnazes rhymes with crazy.

My sister joined him for marathon number 38. Her account of the experience is uplifting, energizing and passionate. I salute her - not just for getting out there and trouncing her mind in the Deep Blue-like chess game that it can play during a marathon but for having a passion. A passion that she refuses to have dulled by Wisconsin winters, three kids, a full-time job or any myriad of other possible excuses.

She sculpts a beautiful life.