My word of the year is SPIRIT. As winter recedes, I’m posting a few of my favorite, random photos that capture winter spirit. The cute little ermine surprised me one day, popping up in front of our house, not afraid of a thing. An ermine with spirit!
How’s your word of the year treating you?
A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. –Patricia Neal
For years my daughter skied, and loved it. Then she began to race and loved it even more.
On training days Ellie would fall, get up, and do it all over again. Her hair would poke stiffly from her helmet as icicles formed. While other kids complained of bitter cold and white-out conditions, she’d persevere. Ellie didn’t win much, but she’d give it her best and smile while doing it.
Over the last year or two, Ellie’s determination, mental attitude, and hard work began to change her skiing. Watching my daughter has inspired me. Hard work is hard. People talk a lot about it. But doing it is something else entirely.
Speeding down a mountain with nothing but a helmet to protect her, makes Ellie’s work not only hard, but dangerous. Depending on the day she must endure wicked temperatures, blazing sun, or heavy snow. She sacrifices things other 12-year-olds take for granted. If she’s not at school, she’s on the hill. Exhausted, she gets up at the crack of dawn to do it all again. That’s the kind of passion and perseverance to make miracles happen.
Just last week Ellie qualified for the Junior Olympics.
Carrie Brown-Wolf • Rock, Paper, Write 