#yourimpactmatters – Richard Radstone

Day 578: Thomas Kozlowski – A Guide Helping Us To Soar!

March 31, 2023 by Richard Radstone

“I've suffered a lot in my life, But I now understand how beautiful it is that we can be part of nature. I've learned that you never know what the story of the person you're talking about or talking with is...”

Citizens of the planet he calls us as he introduces the earth as our house. And as I view him as a hero… I know the title is one he would shrug away from. But I’ll throw it anyway, and leave it for you to make the final call.

Thomas Kozlowski is his name, and after spending almost two hours ingesting his story and love for humanity, I feel it best to simply turn the stage to him.

“Our task is just to care about others, you know… Just like you care about your child or you care about your friends or you care about yourself. So if we are one… we are oneness. I skydive for people and, you know, to save lives. I cannot imagine anything better.

Of course, it’s not easy. It’s really difficult because people say I’m crazy, and a lot of people criticize me that I don’t care about my family. That I have to stay alive and have a stable job. All that kind of stuff. But I think if someone is telling you that I’m behaving like a kid because I want my dreams to come true, I tell them my dream:

My dream is just to make people happy. And also, that we respect each other.”

He explains his views on happiness and even suggests his big why.

“I was in the Communistic Army. It was compulsory. It was a very important moment in my life because then I had the chance to realize that someone can be pushed down by a system—by someone who got higher than you. I now understand what freedom means.

You can be CEO or the lowest person in the structure, but there is no reason for you to not be respected. You can be stronger than you than me. But I am not weaker than you.

I’ve suffered a lot in my life, But I now understand how beautiful it is that we can be part of nature. I’ve learned that you never know what the story of the person you’re talking about or talking with is. Everyone is battling cycles of the head and the inside of life. I’ve got this in my mind that every one of us carries our own cross like Jesus Christ was wearing. And every one of us has heavy stuff. And that’s what I’m looking for. But it’s okay that this person is happy. It’s like when you say we all have the time to be happy, it doesn’t means that nothing is wrong. So this is where I think it’s not that happiness is being all happy all the time. I’m happy when I’m jumping, and it’s just for me. Of course, the most important for me is the happiness of my family and a good future for my kids.

Happiness? Yeah, It’s peace of mind. And if you want to be happy, there must be a reason. So it means that in life, or to God, or wherever will give us that reason, we all can find a reason to be happy. And if we’re feeling bad or depressed, we can still find our happiness. But you know, I would never be able to do my project without the suffering I’ve been through, and without understanding what it means.

It’s no matter if you’ve suffered because of the lack of a roof over your head, or depression, or I don’t know—and I don’t want people to suffer—I want people to be happy Why not?”

I ask more about his why for doing Jump For The Planet.

“We are not identifying with the planet. We identify with our home, with the fencing around our home, with our neighborhood, and maybe the city, or the country. But that’s the worse thing we can do with ourselves. That’s when we build the borders.”

When you think about skydiving as a metaphor for life and cooperating with nature in the freefall, that’s when you know you are in control. You can feel every move and every breath of oxygen. And if you’ve got the experience, you know the best solution is to do and not seek. Then your freefall is very, very stable—and you see how tough you are.”

He tells me about his book.

“I called the book, “The Story of a Thousand Fears” because I was so afraid when I did the highest jump in Europe with my friends.

It was really important in my life because I realized it’s okay to be afraid. So I tell everyone, don’t be afraid to be afraid. It’s just human nature, and I know on the other side of the fears is where you find the best things in your life—and because I was afraid of skydiving, too, it makes me know when I’m going into a plane with someone I tandem with, that I’m blessed to have the opportunity to jump with someone for their first time. It’s amazing to take someone on this journey and show them how strong they are. To show how beautiful this Earth is. I feel a kind of calmness.’

“We can create a new generation that cares about the planet. We have to. Or the other choice, we ruin the planet. Because it’s not that we are giving the Earth to the other generation, we are borrowing it.”

Thomas, when you look at the stars at night, what do you see? I ask.

“You know, it’s just a matter of perspective. And I think we’ve got the problems we have because we have no access to the bigger perspective. And it’s not only the philosophical perspective, it’s also the physical perspective.

This is our home. I mean, this rock floating in space is our house. You know, we’ve got cracks in the walls and its roof is on fire. And we just don’t care about this. We’re saying it’s okay that the fire is in the bedroom and we’re staying in the living room so everything is fine. But, oh no, it’s not fine. And, this is why I jump for the planet—because we are on the only planet we have.

Everything is here. So from this perspective, we are just one organism. In my opinion, our life on this planet is part of the organism— and it is all a living creature.

So, when I’m watching up there in the sky at night, I’m looking for some deep meaning of our being here because it’s this life that is such a beautiful thing—why I wish to know that there is a reason we came here.

I want us to understand we are just a small part of this nature. That this is a small planet Earth. And that’s why I’m jumping for the planet. So, this is my reason to be here as we all hang onto this small rock. And this is not my idea.”

Not my idea, Thomas delicately hints. And after spending only a few hours in his presence, I am convinced he desires no glory. For in his concern for our world, and as he shares the details of his history with me, he suggests a power far beyond the mortal beings we are, and in that responsibility, he concludes by looking at the future to come.

Thomas, I know you will fight me as I refer to you as a hero. You are way too caring and gracious to accept. But you need to know that in the heart of this blogger, today you are mine. And to all of us, please support his efforts at www.jumpfortheplanet.com.

Oh, and one last note. We are not done getting to know today’s stranger-now-friend, Thomas. In the next few weeks, I’ll be releasing a podcast to share more of his light.

Talk soon, my good friends!

With warmth and gratitude,

Richard

Day 577: I’m Flipping Out

March 26, 2023 by Richard Radstone

LISTEN TO THE STORY AND INVITE

TRANSCRIPT
Cabin fever—Yup, It’s a real thing. And with more snow and cold today, I really think I’m losing it. Especially after my wife comes to me and says, “I have no idea what you were trying to say in your post yesterday.” Was it asking for stories or what? And she’s way smarter than me.

Okay, I submit, I tried too hard to be poetic and intellectual. But the fact is, I’m staring at walls and circling in my own thoughts. Brilliant as they might be.

But kidding aside, here’s the clarified ask: I’d love to share your stories, so send me an email if your interested in chatting. Or if not that, check the reach outs and send in a photo. There a pretty easy way to express your outlook or to just help us better understand the cultures where we each live.

Sigh… The big snowflakes are coming down—I guess it’s time to scrape off the porch… send your stuff in now!

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Day 576: I Need Your Help

March 25, 2023 by Richard Radstone

An Invitation To Share Your Story...

I’m 65 days in on this journey of opening my heart and sharing the perspectives of as many strangers as I can. As every day, and bit by bit, our reach grows; and every night I stay up late trying to find the best way to give you meaningful stories in this unpathed outreach—and to be even more transparent; I’m not even close to understanding my own big why.

So in this vulnerability, I have to tell you, I’m struggling with today’s entry.

You see, I thought this daily challenge would be like my first 365 consecutive-day commitment—exhausting, uplifting, and very busy in meeting and telling the stories of all those I met.

However this time, it’s turning out to be a little different. First because of a change in my geography; and second, the result of the vicarious world we are now living in. There was enough digital separation in 2011 when we started this whole thing. But I’m blown away by how deep the social, cultural, economic, and political fractures have become. We are so further distanced from each other in these 2020s. And when I look at our children and teens, I’m even more concerned. I know, not an isolated statement, and one that I guess for a lot of you I’m preaching to the choir. But enough of that. Because, on the other hand, I’m grateful for how much smaller the world is because of tech.

Now, please know I’m not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, trying to martre, or sound fatalistic. There’s a ton of good out there. It’s just the fake news, the comparisons, and the reactionary posts that always seem to grab the mainstream attention. A stir-up that, as well-funded and tech-savvy content creators hit the big numbers, seems to ramp up the polarization we are facing.

Yea, there’s dumb stuff happening out there, but because of it, the last thing we want to do is bury our heads in the sand—we are way too smart and diverse for that. In my opinion, it’s this mix of who we are, and what we individually bring to the game, no matter what side of the fence we are on is what makes us rich as humans—and that’s one of the whys driving me to stay on course in growing this blog—the stories you have to share, and hope we are all taking them to heart.

Per the above, I know in some of it, I might sound like a conspiracy theorist. But I sincerely promise you, I’m not. I’m just a passionate artist and communicator sharing what I feel is a worthy community build, outreach, and message:

The value of any one person is truly remarkable—and the individual impact we have on one another is limitless.

A belief and truth that I’ve studied for a lifetime, and in such, the driver for why and what I do.

Alright, another vulnerability: I’ve moved. I no longer reside in Los Angeles (although it will always be my home). I tried something different in my vocation. Took on a contracted project. One, that in the end, turned out to be a rather painful experience; and as a result, I now live in a Utah suburb. A culture quite different from what I am accustomed to. But my airport commute to LA is only 90 minutes. Kind of like rush hour on the 101 to the 134 to the I-5 to downtown. So all is good.

Yup, another life chapter for certain. Yet in the spirit of the mission and community that we are building, a place with so many strangers to meet and lessons to learn. However, because of my location—30 miles outside of Salt Lake City—it looks like my days of strolling populated streets have changed. But as we grow, and hopefully with a little more funding, I hope to hit the road in sharing state-hopping stranger-meeting moments.

“The value of any one person is truly remarkable—and your individual impact we have on one another is limitless.”

The more of us who share, the farther our impact will grow. And please, never forget: Your individual impact, and your story, truly does matter to someone else in the world!

So it is, that today in this RadstoneBLOG update, I have an ask of you—For I need your help:

I want to know your story or the story of anyone you feel would welcome the opportunity to have their perspectives or whys featured on RadstoneBLOG. And to keep it simple, I’m placing my direct email below. If you are in, please send me a note, and from there, I’ll schedule a virtual meeting for us.

Also, check out the “Where We Live” and “Word Share” reach-outs—if they’re more your cup of tea, just follow the submission link to send me your pic.

The more of us who share, the farther our impact will grow. And please, never forget: Your individual impact, and your story, truly does matter to someone else in the world!

Talk tomorrow my good friends,

Richard

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, all the shares, likes, and comments help so very much in growing our community. I look forward to your feedback and support.

Day 575: Toward The Constant

March 24, 2023 by Richard Radstone

I’m feeling poetic and romantic this day, and rightly so, for as the snow falls outside, and wearing my favorite turtleneck sweater, I cozy up to my keyboard—and in honoring the theme of this month, I reflect on a very personal topic: Motherhood. I turn within as I continue to ponder my big why.

Play The Story

TRANSCRIPT
I’m feeling poetic and romantic this day, and rightly so, for as the snow falls outside, and wearing my favorite turtleneck sweater, I cozy up to my keyboard.

And in honoring the theme of this month, I reflect on a very personal topic: Motherhood. I turn within as I continue to ponder my big why.

Often I speak of vulnerability. Reference the value we each have as the individuals we are. Thoughts that, as I struggle with what to say in this narrative, prompt me to reflect on the 1000s of strangers I now call friends. Inspired to think about the last decade and the diversity of opinions, revealed histories, and heartfelt moments that have been trusted to me… And yes… beyond humbled I am.

I think of the attacks I’ve bore regarding my beliefs, my observations, and at times, my very existence. But even in those, I see a catalyst to not just better understanding myself; but more importantly, to better understand those who have expressed vengeance toward me.

You see, we are all a most imperfect species… and although highly intelligent, able to express emotions at their fullest, and gifted with the power to reason, why is it that somehow we still find ways to diminish our own worth, or to point the finger.

Yet, in it all can be found one unavoidable constant that began us: The fact we were all born from a bleeding womb, and passing out of it, we all took the first breath of living our lives.

Then comes all the stuff. The seeking the perfect place, moment, or that craved acceptance for who we are. And to that, mix in a little society, some long-developed culture, and the spice of religion—and before we know it, we can easily feel as if… we don’t measure up. The mirror of our own reflection pixelated as we spend our lifetimes working to tighten the spaces. Our whys, when’s, and who’s shifting in and out of focus as we make both good and terrible choices.

Yet back to the constant, I’m pulled—and no matter what angle I look at it from, or how I deal with my own junk—she is always dead center and there: The mother who birthed me, and in that, a first breath I can’t remember.

We add our God… our views of where we are going… our needs in how we live, and the sugar on top, the whys we seek. We explore the meaning of faith and as we do, we quest— feel ecstasy and agony as we process whispers from inside and out.

The whys morph to who’s, hows, what’s, and when’s. Yet, in reality, we are all on a similar journey. Traveling to an end where we desire an ultimate peace— the knowledge that our existence mattered.

And yes, again, the first breath inhales… as with eyes closing and hearts questioning… we transition. The gates to that resting place closer as we lean into the face of why we were here.

And Once more… yes: This human walk is indeed a beautiful thing. A gift we have each received—regardless of our outlook, our attraction, our race, religion, or culture.

In the center of it all, she sits. The conceiver who brought us into this complex world, the mothers who carried us.

Out of her body, we emerged, and whether her choices were good or bad in how she nurtured, we must honor the gift she has bestowed on us…

…The snow banks are depending, as inside a warm home, I take refuge. My own 97-year-old mother upstairs, as dementia and bedridden, and myself still working to resolve my upbringing, I shed a tear. For imperfect she was… and still is. But as I lift her 75 pounds to the wheelchair that moves her, and to all of us looking at the mothers who made us, a closing set of thoughts come to my heart. Perhaps reflections we can each apply to the persons we are becoming: Simply… Thank you mom… or if strangled by injustices of the past, a most powerful healer: Forgiveness.

So it is to the women and mothers of the world, I take pause. And as I do, may we all do the same as we unite in a shared tribute, for without you, we would not exist.

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Day 573: Your Authentic Self

March 23, 2023March 22, 2023 by Richard Radstone

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (225.0MB)

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“One of the most interesting things for me about growing up—was becoming a mother...”

Watch the video to get the whole story

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So here I am, sitting at my desk, reviewing tasks completed and those I still have to do. Perhaps, a ritual we all do as our lives, work, and play expand and contract. Sometimes we end days on highs, and others, not so much. Yet in each, and if looked at optimistically, lessons are learned as we consider our futures and contemplate our big whys.

Why the sentimental intro? You might ask. Well, I re-learned another lesson today—one that directly links to the very reasoning behind why I do my part in growing our community.

An inventory that prompts me to flashback to the wisdom of a stranger-now-friend I met years ago, but her message still lives in my heart.

And similar to this days ending, my meeting her started from a place like where I sit now. Here is the account in retrospect:

5:00 pm: I peeled myself from my desk, redirected by a nagging subconscious away from what I perceived as the day’s priorities. You know, those quiet thoughts that dwell in the background of what we agonize as our have-to-do’s.

5:15 pm: The little voice in my mind has directed me to Warner Park. I’ve been here before, and have even made a few friends here. But today’s whisper feels more direct than ever. If there is one thing the project has taught me, it is to acknowledge that little thing we call intuition. We all have it, but the question to ask ourselves is, do we follow it?

5:20 pm: I park the car, and as I do, I notice two women walking towards me on the sidewalk. Something pushes me to approach them. Okay, this could be a creepy guy moment. I ready myself for rejection. For to ignore my first impression would only leave me questioning my motives. You see, I have promised myself (and you) that I will not profile whom I approach. Pledged to raise my chin to the world and reach out to all I lock eyes with.

5:21’sh pm: With business card in hand, Hi, I’m Richard… I’m a photographer and filmmaker—I explain my blog project.

I’m stopped mid-sentence as Roshan and her friend shut me down, “We know you!”

I’m shocked and a little worried. You do! I wobble.

“Yea, a while back you interviewed my friends (Project-365 Day 93 / “The Trail Is Our Therapy”). Remember them. You met them on the hiking trail at the top of Victory.”

Wow! Yes, I totally remember them. Great couple. Loved talking with them.

We open a conversation.

That lesson I spoke of earlier: That listening to our intuition thing. Perhaps the more we practice hearing it, the more in tune we can become with the world around us. A premise that today is being proven by Roshan and her friend. For in a city of millions, it is possible for the paths of strangers to unite on common, maybe even inspired ground. The skeptics might lean on premises like six degrees of separation or other similar theories. But for me, the idea is much simpler—Just trust what you feel, and if inspired by the whispers of your heart, simply have the courage to speak with each other in the face-to-face world. I’ll leave it at that.

Talk tomorrow my good friends—and Roshan… your words have smitten us,

Richard

Day 572: More Than Forensics

March 20, 2023 by Richard Radstone

The world needs more women leaders, who not only can lead but have the strength to look beyond the external.

I’m sitting here waterlogged—rained in, and landlocked in the Utah rurals. To be exposed, feeling somewhat frustrated by isolation brought on as I look at soaked windows and a clock striking 4:52 P.M.

You see, It’s not an easy thing meeting strangers in my new neck of the woods. The streets are sparse in on the cold days. So I write this entry as a journaled attempt to throw my invite at the source beyond myself. Not knowing if my fingers on the keyboard, in some strange way, will direct me to tell the story of today’s why.

I’m staring at the screen now, locked as I passively rifle through my Facebook friends and contact list. Even tossed a couple of LinkedIn connections in looking for anyone who would last-minute speak with me. But so far, it’s all dead ends… Sigh!

5:06— family dinner in 30 minutes, and with my daughter home, one I’d like to be part of—for as I expected in committing to this challenge, my personal time is becoming so very limited.

I’ll look at my contact list again…

My Buddy Matt calls. He tells me about a friend of his with a story to share—a definite stranger to me, but not for today. We begin small talking… my phone rings:

5:25 P.M

A stranger of the past and a person I’ve not spoken to for years: Ph. D of Psychology, Forensic Psychologist, and three-time author, Dr. Susan Ashley. And as she grabs her food order at In-and-Out, we set up a time to chat. Friends, please stand by…

8:23 P.M

Wow! 45 minutes of deeply rewarding conversation—way too much to write as this evening comes to an end. So in respect to Susan and you, I’ll be sharing a full release of the topics we covered tomorrow.

But as a teaser, I’ll share this highlight: The world needs more women leaders, who not only can lead but have the strength to look beyond the external.

We’ll address the whys in the next post.

Dear Susan, thank you for listening to the silent voice.

Talk tomorrow my good friends,

Richard

Day 571: Extinguished

March 19, 2023 by Richard Radstone

I could have lashed out. Chested up with a set of you’re wrongs, or perhaps have shut him off by leaving the scene. But as I looked at him, it was apparent he was living a troubled life. So, I asked more about him.

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Day 570: Hold On

March 18, 2023 by Richard Radstone

A spokesperson for the gifts we each have to offer, Musical Artist Brooke White defines a word that can resolve the pains we bear…

LISTEN

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Day 569: Tov Meod

March 17, 2023 by Richard Radstone

“I know that's been proven to be something that substantially adds to life in a positive way. I mean, obviously, you have your extreme negatives, which are also very true and very varied. But I believe that those give a really solid basis for life in general."

There is a chill in the air and the streets are barely populated. But still, here and there people walk. Some with chins down, others with faces up, and on this Saint Patric’s day, several covered green in celebration.

Loud noise pulses out the doors as I pass the Irish pub. A sound I intake several times as I circle the downtown area.

At a corner, a group of women and I wait to cross the street. Then, as a souped-up offroad truck honks as it rips past intersection traffic, I turn to them, ‘well that proved a lot.’

They politely acknowledged me, and then return to their conversation.

The crosswalk sign lights up and feeling a little awkward, I overcompensate by trying to engage in conversation. I even passed them a RadstoneBLOG business card. But as the short block begins to feel like a mile, and as the embarrassment settles in, I find my out—a wide commuter alley to my side. I veer right.

Past the man steam-cleaning the sidewalk, over a few covered construction holes, and toward the next block I stroll. Then left.

Behind me, they match my pace. Three guys of dubious appearance, they heighten my street awareness. Half a block down, I tweak my head to the left as I straddle the curb. With about two yards of space between them and me, I zig-zag a little. Want to see if they’re tracking me as I plan a defense (Just in case). Two drop away, and at the intersection, I face the last one off.

“Do you have a couple of dollars?” He asks.

‘For what?’ I respond. My back to the busy road, I directly face him.

“Cigarettes.” He explains, “the store up the street has a good price.”

Inside my responsive thought, ‘Wrong answer.’ Outside, and in prescribing to the take a breath soapbox I always share, I instead ask for his name. “I’m Mike,” he smiles. “But my friends call me Pixie.” A nickname synonymous with Amphetamines as well as Webster’s definition of mischievous.

The traffic signal changes, and as I cross the street, I wish Mike a good day. “Take it easy” he gives his farewell with a verbal gesture. “I can’t find my friends.”

‘If I run into them, I’ll let them know you’re looking,’ I leave the scene.

I walk on. Again dissolve into the sidewalk traffic. Cool, I can be a little poetic here: One in a world of Sidewalk Ghost.” 🙂

For a couple more blocks I interact with a few more people, and in each, the non-verbal brush-offs are very apparent. But it’s not my first rodeo, I’ve had much worse. Yet still, it looks like this afternoon walkabout is going to be a full strikeout. Then I run into her, or should I say, she drew me in—It’s crazy how this so often happens.

Her name: Saffron—Her occupation: Anthropologist— Her joy: Motherhood, as on her chest, protected, and warmed in a covered baby carrier is her newly born boy. Asleep as we begin a brief conversation.

A recent relocate to Salt Lake City, she and her husband migrated to be close to family and in search of work.

Reflective in her views of the big why Saffron draws us toward a universal consideration:

“My personal why is that we’re just continuing on with life and now is so good; and believing in growing a higher power, right?

I know that’s been proven to be something that substantially adds to life in a positive way. I mean, obviously, you have your extreme negatives, which are also very true and very varied. But I believe that those give a really solid basis for life in general.”

She expresses her faith as a Christian, and adds, “It influences how I interact with people too.”

Those of you who have been with me know that I am a baptized Jew. For you who are just meeting me—a warm hello. And for all of us of the varied faiths that we are, please know that RadstoneBLOG and Sidewalk Ghosts are safe place for all perspectives and beliefs to meet. For, I believe in the diversity of our outlooks can be found a place where the fountains of empathy can flourish—that is, as we open our hearts and minds toward caring about one another. Okay, I’ll jump off the soapbox.

“Something I can say that’s impactful for me is, recognizing we each have strengths and weaknesses, and that might not look like the woman next to you, and that’s perfectly fine. Just remember that life is hard, and it’s okay to ask for help. There is a Hebrew term called Tov Meod, which means very good…”

I ask, ‘in the perspective of an Anthropologist, is there a different way you would answer the why?’

She quietly thinks for a moment, then responds: “When you look at cultures across the world, I see a lack of the ability to accept a higher power that’s extremely unusual. Belief in a higher power is actually a commonality within all people groups. Monotheistically and across the board there is this agreement: There is a spiritual realm, and that is required.

“‘So within this, it can be similar, or it can be drastically different. Some people will say, ‘oh, it’s the exact same.’ But if you compare Islam to Judaism to Christianity, they are extremely ideologically, and theologically different. But they do agree on the premise of we are created, we are here for a reason. And it’s not just to live and die.'”

Wow! I love how Saffron wraps up today’s why.

At first vulnerable in sharing her faith—then in an academic sense allows us all the freedom to live by the dictates of our belief systems.

In all, challenges us to look at our version of good. To ponder forward in the reality of our mortal timelines. All of it points to a notion with the reach to unify many: In her words, “we are each here for a purpose.”

And per that purpose, I transition to the question of the month, ‘Saffron, What would you like to share with other women out there?’

And I think that as a woman, it’s really easy to not feel as though our lives have value and are more than good. But in reality, they are very good. If we were to strip this concept down to the very basics of good and bad. It’s that duality that tends to be a constant, and not necessarily what people designate as good or as bad. But putting that concept into a modern framework—To be considered good is basically to be provided with honor and dignity that a lot of people do not give. And if that is coming from a higher entity, there is no other higher honor, and it makes life a lot easier to live and grow: Tov Meod.

Saffron, you saved me from two hours of feeling unseen. Lifted me as you allowed me into your life for a moment. And in hope that your words of wisdom might strike us all, I express my gratitude for your trust. In another Hebrew term: For the Mitzvah you have extended to us all.

Talk tomorrow my good friends,

Richard

Day 568: “Legacy” – A Tribute to the Loving Daughters of the World

March 16, 2023 by Richard Radstone

Today I sit on the foot of my mother’s bed—her 97-year-old body now a mere 75 pounds. Dementia minded and almost crippled from age, she finds comfort in 5×7 photos framed on the endtable beside her. In each, black and white photographic memories of life with a husband she adored. And as I struggle to balance the love I have for her with the frustration of my family being her sole caretaker, a stranger-now-friend of lifts my heart.

Listen To Her Story

She ask to be anonomous, for that’s the kind of person she is. As in her countenance can be found no desire for fanfair, and in her heart a deep love for a departed father. She inspires us toward goodness.

Through her listening eyes and seeing mind she advocates for no self-gain or grandeur. Credits her most humble outlook to the pained past and nurturing courage of goodly parents. Her very presence blossomed from seeds planted by a father, who in his own life had first hand witness the worst of what humankind can do. She is grounded. Transparent, as welcoming me into her life, I was overwhelmed by her love for the value of human life. And as we talked of the fragility this living experience extends to each of us, she entrusted me in seeing the torch that flamed her legacy. And as she did, I re-imagined not only my own life, but saw a fire of hope that I pray burns into the hearts of us all.

In her words, “It’s the here and now that matters, and don’t spend your life wasting it away on insignificant things that aren’t going to mean anything in the end. The only thing we can be left with is the imprint we leave on someone to help them or make them feel better.”

And as we listen to her story, might we all pause to look toward the elderly, those we love, and even ourselves—and as we do, to feel past the struggles and accomplishments behind and in front of us. And from there, to distantly unifiy in recognizing the value of one another.

Yes, she asked me to keep her identity unknown—but to hide the message she has to share with us would be a great diservice to us all. So it is on this International Month of Women’s History, and in tribute to her as well as all the loving daughters out there, I give thanks to an unnamed woman who has uplifted us this day.