Who inspires me?

Over the past month we were asked to think about three people who inspire us. This was not an easy choice, as there are so many people in my life who I look up to. However, I did manage to narrow it down to three.

The first person who inspires me is my dad's dad. He passed away a year ago, but I have great memories of talking to him with my sister. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in three years, and went on to become the first neurologist in Colorado. He was a highly respected doctor, and he treated people from teams like the Broncos. He built a color TV and a stereo for my dad and his brothers, and he traveled all over the world with my grandmother. Most importantly, he loved my grandmother, his children, and his grandchildren very much. He always asked my sister and I about what we were doing, how we were doing in school, etc. When he was really healthy, he used to take my sister and I out for lunch and talk to us. One of my best memories of him is when we were sitting at Panera Bread and he was telling me about the time he spent in Germany with my grandmother, and how much he loved her. No one ever had a bad word to say about him, and he made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Even now, I am inspired by him to live life as fully as he did. I hope when I get older I can make an impact on as many lives as he did, and love my family and those close to me that much.

The second person who inspires me is someone I haven't seen in almost two years, but who crosses my mind nearly every day. When I was in Cambodia, I met an older boy at the orphanage named Sopiep. When he was about four years old he was blinded by a landmine. The incredible thing about Sopiep is that he has never let this disability stop him. I began a conversation with him and was shocked when he spoke back to me in almost perfect English, which he said he learned just by listening to other peoples' conversations. He also knows how to play beautiful music on several different instruments. Every time my friend Schariar and I talked to him he had a smile on his face and was happy to answer all of our questions. I think about this so much - how, despite his disability, he was still driven and a joy to be around. There are many times when I lack the motivation to do something, and I find myself thinking about Sopiep and all that he has accomplished living under much harsher circumstances than I do.

I am also incredibly inspired by Lisa Marie. I don't think I have ever met someone who works as hard as she does. Her passion has driven her to pour her time and soul into Children's Global Alliance and all the kids that she works with. She is the most selfless person I have ever met, and she always puts the kids first. Almost everything I do is influenced by the things I have learned from her in some way. She has taught me that the harder you work, the happier you'll be, that giving feels a hundred times better than receiving, that you should live every second of life to the fullest, and that my family, my food, my education, and my home are such gifts. Lisa Marie has changed my life so much and I don't know where I'd be today without her.

If I were any animal, I think I would be a dog. Dogs symbolize protection, loyalty, and companionship, and I think that I exemplify all of those characteristics. I am very protective of my friends and family, especially my sister, and I will defend them against anyone who doesn't treat them with decency. I also like to think that I am loyal to my friends, as a strong friendship is something I value. I always try to be there for my friends if they ever need to talk or just have someone to hang out with. I care deeply about every one of them and I hope that they know that.