Daddy’s Girl

Many people are familiar with this picture: A strict row of American soldiers ready to be deployed to Iraq, with a little girl in the middle, refusing to let go of her father’s hand.

This picture of Paige Bennethum and her dad, Brett, struck the hearts of many. It is the perfect visual of a situation many families have had to deal with over the last few years.

Some soldiers never return to their loved ones. In fact, there have been tens of thousands of American casualties since 2001.

But Paige is one lucky little girl. Now, almost a year after the famed photo was taken, the Bennethums are rejoicing at Brett’s safe return . While excited to see Paige, he was also welcomed by his wife Abby and two youngest children Lena and Chase.

The reunited family now revels in the more ordinary aspects of life. Brett enjoys reading books with his children and often joins them in their childish games. He also brought back the Care Bear that Paige had given him to keep him company in Iraq.

The family is reminded of their time apart by an over-sized version of the photo that hangs in their living room. As Paige says, “ Now I’m always gonna remember that he’s going to be back after work every day.”

Unlikely Company

Sometimes the little things in life are what drive people onward. That’s exactly how Jodie Nelson felt when a Minke whale swam beside her for nearly two hours while she paddled from Santa Catalina Island to Dana Point. “To me it was a total God thing,” the San Clemente resident said. “We prayed at 4 that morning that God would reveal his beauty and creation and nature, and allow me to endure this long trek, so for me it’s not such a huge surprise that this happened.” What was a surprise, however, was just how much of an impact the whale (dubbed Larry) would make.

The purpose of the trip was to inspire Nelson’s friend Angela to remain strong in her fight against breast cancer. While Nelson was mainly providing moral support, she also hoped to raise $100,000 dollars for Keep a Breast Foundation and Boarding for Breast Cancer. Being let down by some of her more wealthy patrons, Nelson raised just a meager $6,000 dollars before the trip. This is where Larry came in handy.

Throughout the duration of the standup-paddle, a video camera closely followed Nelson in an escort boat and was able to capture some footage of Larry swimming by her side. As word of Nelson and Larry’s journey made its way to national media outlets, the money started pouring in. Since then, Jodie Nelson has graced local and national news and was even featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show. She is the perfect example of a person who vowed to make an impact and surpassed everyone’s expectations in doing so.

You can track Nelson’s progress at her blog, or watch a video on the story here.

The Game of Life

It’s no secret that most athletes aren’t famous for being morally apt. On the contrary, they usually gain the most attention for being bad. Take, for instance, media’s newest muse Tiger Woods. While his golf skills are undeniable, he’s been making headlines for betraying his family by sleeping around with multiple mistresses.  Similar to Woods, Michael Vick made the front page after he was arrested for dogfighting conspiracy and OJ Simpson is most famous for being the main suspect in his wife’s (very) suspicious murder trial. With the outpouring of athletes becoming famous for their sins, it’s easy to start believing that some of our most cherished sports stars are little more than athletic talent. Luckily, there are plenty of professional athletes that are doing good, even if they’re not the ones splashed across the cover of People Magazine.

While he’s often pictured with a bible verse written in white across his eye black, Tim Tebow is more than the stereotypical Christian. He is the first underclassman (as well as the first homeschooled athlete) to ever win the Heisman Trophy, an annual award given to the most outstanding player in collegiate football. Yet he’s no meat-head. Instead, Tebow has used his Christian mentality and sports success to benefit others. He supports many charities through both donations as well as actual labor, including an orphanage in the Philippines. In nearly every article written about Tebow, people point out that it’s hard not to be blown away by the genuine good nature of his actions. It’s obvious that he hasn’t let success get to his head.

Similarly, Pat Tillman stands apart from the stereotypical athletes. A safety for the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman turned down an increase in his $500,000 dollar paycheck to pursue something a little more meaningful. His contract renewal came only months after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th and Tillman felt it was his duty as an American to serve in the army. Giving up a lucrative career as a professional athlete, Tillman and his brother enlisted. Pat was deployed first to Iraq and then to Afghanistan where he was eventually killed in friendly fire. The details of his death are not particularly clear, and many speculate that his death wasn’t really an accident. Regardless, Tillman’s devotion to serving his country instead of coasting through life as a wealthy man shows that he was so much more than his sport career made him out to be.

A Matter of Life and Death

In 2005, Manuel Bravo hanged himself by the rafters in Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre the day before he was to be deported to his native country Angola. Bravo, 35, was initially placed in the detention center after a dawn raid taking place at his home exposed that he and his son were illegal immigrants. Prior to the arrest they had lived and worked in Leeds for over three years.

The Angola native begged to be allowed to stay in England as the situation in his country was unstable. Bravo knew that if he was deported he would be tortured and probably killed. Though Angola is the second largest diamond and petroleum producer in sub-Saharan Africa, its life expectancy rate is ranked with the worst in the world. It is known for having high risk of civil unrest as well as criminal violence.

While at first glance Bravo’s actions seem selfish (he did leave his son to fend for himself), the note he left provided some explanation for his fatal decision, “I kill myself because I don’t have a life to live any more. I want my son Antonio to stay in the UK to continue his studies.” In the UK, unaccompanied minors are not allowed to be deported. Bravo had been aware of this rule and killed himself so that his son would not have to face the dangerous situation in Angola.

Bravo’s son has since been placed with a long-term foster family and continues his studies as his father wanted. The effects of this sacrifice have reached beyond Bravo’s immediate family. Chris Cleave, author of Incendiary, used the story of Manuel Bravo as inspiration for his bestselling novel Little Bee. This book, along with Bravo’s story, has raised awareness for illegal immigrants struggling to gain citizenship  as a means to escape the violence and terror in their native countries.

A Furry Omen

While they may spend most of their time sleeping on the couch, chasing inanimate objects, or sniffing places that should not be sniffed, household pets have been known to do some pretty impressive things. Case in point: Oscar.

The pleasantly plump, white and tortoiseshell cat named Oscar isn’t the sort of pet you’d want snuggled up on your lap. A permanent fixture at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, the cat has predicted the deaths of over 50 residents in the last five years.

As a patient’s life comes to an end, Oscar goes to his/her room and lies on the bed, only leaving to use the litter or to eat. Doctors have suggested that he is able to recognize death by detecting ketones, the distinctly-odoured biochemicals given off by dying cells.

Oscar’s impressive predictions gained credibility in the New England Journal of Medicine and these days Oscar is so trusted that hospital staff are quick to contact family members once he takes up vigil in a patient’s room.

While some feel that Oscar is simply a bearer of bad news,  family, staff members and doctors say otherwise. One doctor said, “People were actually taking great comfort in this idea, that this animal was there and might be there when their loved ones eventually pass. He was there when they couldn’t be.” Oscar has also driven patients  to make last minute amends with their loved ones and given hope to those who have longer to live.

We all know that death is inevitable, but for many the fear of dying comes from the uncertainty. Oscar helps patients accept that their time has come and be at peace with themselves.

Ultimate Survival

Even the most experienced hikers and rock climbers are no match for Mother Nature. When 27 year old Aron Ralston left his house in early May, he was prepared for little more than an eight hour hike. Packing two burritos and some water, Ralston set off without telling anyone where he was going.

Unfortunately, while squeezing though a tight space, the seasoned climber displaced an 800 pound chockstone that pinned him by his hand and forearm. After remaining trapped by the rock for five days, Ralston realized that if he were to survive he would have to find a way to free himself.

What resulted was a display of sheer determination. Using a multitool, Ralston broke the bones in his right arm and started cutting his muscles and tendons. As he said, “When I amputated, I felt every bit of it. It hurt to break the bone, and it certainly hurt to cut the nerve. But cutting the muscle was not as bad.” Once Ralston’s lower arm had been removed, he was able to repel to safety.

Ralston’s decision to amputate his own arm drew national interest among media and rock climbing experts alike. Some praised his determination and willpower, while others criticized him for not taking necessary safety precautions before the climbing trip.

Either way, Ralston accepted responsibility for his strengths and faults, reminiscing, “After having enough sleep deprived, meandering thoughts about how I arrived in the canyon, I realized that [my situation] was the result of decisions that I had made… I took responsibility for all of my decisions, which helped me take on the responsibility of getting myself out.”

Forgiven

Steve Saint had just started kindergarten when his father, missionary Nate Saint, was brutally speared to death in the Ecuadorian jungle. Nate had been trying to spread the word of God to one of the most barbaric tribes still surviving today, the Waodani. Though Nate and his other companions had successfully exchanged gifts with the tribe in the months before they died, relations between the missionaries and natives quickly turned sour. In a heartless act, the Waodani murdered all five of the men, spearing them and hacking them with machetes.

Even now, Steve remembers the sadness he felt at losing his dad so young. At the tender age of five, the year his father was murdered, Steve first decided that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, which would eventually lead him back to the forest. At the age of nine, Steve made his first trip out to Ecuador to connect with the Waodanis, accompanied by his Aunt and Mother . He built strong connections with the tribal members and in the summer he turned 14 he was even baptized by the tribe.

Steve developed the closest relationship with a tribal man named Mincaye. After knowing him for some time, it was finally revealed that Mincaye was the man responsible for Nate’s death. Though multiple Waodanis had attacked the men, Mincaye had delivered the final blow. In a response that baffled many, Steve forgave Mincaye for the murder of his father and even attested to loving the man as a good friend.

Though he still feels the loss of his father, Steve says, “What the Waodani meant for evil, God used for good” and in this statement alone, it’s evident that his faith is unshakable. This beautiful display of forgiveness recently attracted much attention and has since then been made into a movie called, End of the Spear.

Helping Her Home

The stakes were high. This game would determine whether or not Western Oregon’s softball team would have a chance to make it to the playoffs. Stepping up to the plate with two runners already on base, Sara Tucholsky, a senior, was hoping for a solid hit. Instead she got a home run. Her first home run ever. In Tucholsky’s excitement she missed first base and as she doubled back to tag up, she collapsed from a knee injury.

According to the umpire, Tucholsky would be called out if her teammates came to her aid. She was given the option to call in a pinch runner and give up the home run for a single so that she could receive the medical attention she needed . Then something truly magical happened. Led by Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, members of the opposing team picked Tucholsky up and walked her around the bases, gently letting her good leg touch second, third and finally, home.

Spectators, officials, and teammates were all stunned at the display of sportsmanship. As Holtman later commented, “… it is not about winning and losing so much. It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run.”

Incidents such as these are an excellent reminder that good deeds are not simply a characteristic of the past. Since there has been such an emphasis placed on being successful in sports these days, it’s truly inspiring when an athlete forgoes an easy win and instead acts on empathy and kindness. These actions do not go unnoticed. On the contrary, they trigger others to respond likewise. As Tucholsky commented, “I hope I would do the same for her in the same situation.” It’s quite likely that if she ever does find herself making a similar choice she will remember the grace Holtman showed her and act accordingly.

[Here's a video of the incident. The action starts at :50]

The Little Things in Life

It was just starting to sink in—their daughter would never come back, she was gone forever. Only days after six year old Elena died from pediatric brain cancer, her parents, Keith and Brooke, began finding letters and pictures addressed to them signed in Elena’s handwriting. Many were decorated with a simple heart, and at first her parents thought they were just the product of a little girl’s creativity. But after the notes began turning up in bizarre places—briefcases, books and dresser drawers—and kept showing up even years after her death, it became clear that these letters had a purpose. “It was her way of letting us know that everything would be okay,” says Brooke.

Though Elena was only six when she passed away, she understood the idea of life and death. When she was five she was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer and doctors gave her four months to live. Her prognosis provided little hope, but Elena’s parents never told their daughter that her life had been given a time limit. The presence of the letters seems to show that Elena inherently knew what others kept from saying. As her father said, “We tried very hard to conceal it, but we can tell through the notes that there’s some understanding there.”

Since then, the Desserich’s have compiled a number of Elena’s letters to supplement a journal that they had initially written during Elena’s sickness as a way to remember their daughter’s once vivacious life. The journal and notes have recently been published as a book. All proceeds from Notes Left Behind will go to the charity created in Elena’s honor, The Cure Starts Now.

Elena Desserich’s obituary probably mentioned that she only lived to the tender age of six and that she died after a short battle with cancer. It might have mentioned that she loved animals or that she had a little sister named Gracie. But what wasn’t printed in those few lines is her legacy.

A Crumbling Nation Brings People Together

On January 12th, 2010, a massive 7.0 earthquake wrecked havoc on Haiti, an island in the Caribbean Sea.  The result was atrocious. Numerous building ranging from the Presidential Palace to poorly constructed shanties crumbled to the ground, trapping and killing thousands. As news of the destruction spread, people around the world grieved and demonstrated support by donating money, time and services to aid the broken community. In the midst of this calamity, however, stories of love and hope have touched the hearts of many and proved that miracles do indeed exist.

For instance, Kiki, a seven year old boy, was pulled from the rubble by volunteers after being buried for almost 8 days. Though exhausted and severely dehydrated, he raised his arms in triumph and smiled as he was reunited with his mother. While many can only go three days without food or water, Kiki’s mom remained by the site where he and his older sister Sabrina remained trapped, comforting them as best she could until the helicopters came to move the debris.

An American filmmaker named Dan Woolley was working on a documentary for Compassion International when the earthquake hit. Using his iphone to download a first aid application, he was able to properly care for his injuries which included a fractured leg and a head wound. Though he wrote goodbye letters to family and friends just in case, they proved unnecessary when he was safely found and sent back to his home in the US.

Other families found that the earthquake has provided opportunities for growth. Adoptions in Haiti are known to be overly lengthy due to the lack of organization, so families were surprised when the earthquake actually expedited the process. Visa requirements were waived for many orphans and families who had been waiting years hoping to take their children home were met with an exciting reality.

The most inspiring action that has come out of this terrible earthquake has been the mobility of the people around the world. Celebrities have donated millions of dollars, nurses have volunteered to relocate, ordinary citizens have organized benefit performances, and over 10 million dollars has been raised simply by texting! It is in times such as these that people realize that they must band together for the benefit of a greater good. Even though the earthquake has caused despair, we as a people have already shown that we will overcome.