Sometimes I am reminded of all the things I take for granted.
How many times have I let opportunities pass me because I was just being lazy?
How many times have I been too hard on my body and judged it instead of rejoicing in it's beauty?
When was the last time I thought of how strong and healthy my body is and all it has accomplished?
It made me think of the babies it has carried, the miles it has walked and the hills it has climbed.
As I was recently reading the story of Nie hiking the Y near her home to mark the anniversary of her accident and to celebrate how far her body has come and healed….it made me think of how hard her year has been.
How hard her body has fought for her.
How hard she has fought for her body!
A hike.
A hike that I can easily take for granted….was months in the making for her.
What am I not doing each day that Stephanie would do anything to do?
There are so many things that I started thinking about.
More hikes with the kids.
More running for me….because I CAN!!!!!
I CAN!
So on this day we did a hike in honor of Nie.
To remember what she has gone through and to remind ourselves that we are strong and healthy and to not take this incredible body and life for granted.
What will you do this weekend…because you can?????
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very nice.
such a beautiful post…………
I really love this post Jeanne! Really love it!
What an inspiring post Jeanne!
How true it is that we take for granted our health. Not until we are hit in the face with the reality of losing it do we see how blessed we truly are.
That is an amazing post! You inspire me! Love you, Amy Jo
I thought this too, when I read her post about the hike, I am clapping for you and this amazing post! It makes me want to challenge myself, like you said because I can!!! I’m going to make this weekend more…
thank you for sharing,
xo,
LuLu
FABULOUS! What a great reminder. What beautiful cliffs you had to hike, too. I need to search out some, and just do it. I’ve been itching for a hike lately….!
Big hugs…T.
love this post!
W O W…
speechless
Awww, good for you!! This makes me happy. 🙂
This is a constant lesson I try to teach my kids. We don’t watch what we eat and exercise out of fear of being fat. We do it because we’re SO BLESSED to have been given bodies that work beautifully. We are to take care of them and use them and they just keep getting stronger.
You and your precious crew inspire me!!
Your post is beautifully written, is motivating, and fills me with gratitude!!
You are a blessing:)
Awesome shots ~ loving the “I Can” with the rocks. We are only on this world once and the more we realize it, the better we all will be. Things we take for granted everyday should be cherished ~ sometimes we do need a reminder of that ~ I thank you for that reminder today.
A lovely heart-felt post, Jeanne.
yes..you can.
cute pics of the kids.
xo
Beautiful post! A great reminder for us all…because we are hard on ourselves & we do take too much for granted. And Stephanie is such an inspiration:)
this morning in my devo i was reminded ( & convicted too) of times where i get my focus on what i don’t have instead of counting my blessings…actually name them one by one.
thanks for your reminder
beautiful post girlie!! & great message for your children to hear also
xo
what an inspiring post Jeanne…your little hiking buddies are adorable:) have a great weekend!!!
Love this Jeanne! Stephanie and Mr. Neilson never cease to amaze me. What an inspiration.
Love your pictures! Love this post 🙂
You are blessed to have such gorgeous surroundings. I too have been so inspired by her story…we all need to take another look and realize how much we have and need to be thankful for.
Have a great weekend. We are headed to the lake…waterskiing would be good for me 🙂
Janet
Janet,
What email is your paypal attached to? I HAVE to send that $60 to you RIGHT NOW…..otherwise I will forget again!
J
To: jeanneoli@hotmail.com
Subject: [My Weblog] Janet Doherty submitted a comment to ‘Because I Can’.
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You are blessed to have such gorgeous surroundings. I too have been so inspired by her story…we all need to take another look and realize how much we have and need to be thankful for. Have a great weekend. We are headed to the lake…waterskiing would be good for me 🙂 Janet
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Oh Jeanne that was so good! Seriously I’m tearing up here. I think we are going shopping;) Because we can…ha!! Now I’m off to check out her amazing story.
Have a great long weekend friend:)
Gosh, I love reading Stephanies blog, she’s amazing isnt she? And this is a wonderful post Jeanne. Beautiful. You always seem to write posts that make me think about the good things in life. Thanks!
what a great post! i especially like the photo of the rocks spelling “I Can”! by the way, i gave you a blog award 🙂 go to mine to collect it!
what an inspiration post….I think I’ll get my walking shoes out and head off with the dog and kids, even though we were up WAY too late last night at the fair : ) thanks for your thoughts this morning…
Amazing post. I am forever changed by my chance encounter with Sephanie’s blog. My sincere prayers are with her. What she has had to go through truly puts things in perspective. Thanks!
Jeanne,
Just as I was reading your post…I looked up and out the window and saw my little octogenarian neighbor, an Italian war bride from Rome…marching past my house…on her daily walk around the block.
: )
Julie M.
Such good food for thought!! Our good health and wonderful bodies are such a blessing. Hope you and your family have a great Labor Day weekend.
like i said, i am emotional today. love the rocks spelling it out. so glad you all had that day. your post is such a beautiful reminder of that truth and a sweet way to honor this year for nie and her family. thanks so much for sharing!
I’m fairly new to blog land and I had not heard of Nie…I went over to her blog and spent nearly two hours reading through her blog with smiles and tears.
Jeanne, I’m really at a loss for words to express how inspired I am by this lovely lady. I will love those in my life all the more, because I can and because you never know when you may not have the opportunity!
Thanks for sharing this! Hugs to you sweet friend.
Oddly these sentiments have been on my brain. I caught up with nie nie’s blog last night and had tears. The posts took my breath away. I too had thought about writing about it and her post struck a chord with you as well. How much do we really live each day??? She is an icredible inspiration and we only catch a glimpse of what she has been through. She is amazing…….
I’m just catching up in blogland and wanted to say hello. Hope all is well!
Cl fair on the brain lately……….
Best,
Kara
beautiful words & such a good thing to remember…
Really GREAT pics, Jeanne! I love what you wrote—how hard we are on ourselves..especially women and our crazy scewed vision of our bodies.
I printed the “I can” image to remind myself of how grateful I am.
I think you are beautiful 🙂
ox
Jeanne what a grEAt post! It’s true we all take so much for granted! I hope you and your sweet family have a GREAT Labor Day weekend!!!
🙂 T
This is such a great post! I need to be reminded of all I take for granted. Thank you!
The little pebbles spelling out “I Can” is just perfect. I’m forever taking my body and it’s abilities for granted. A wonderful post with an even better message!
p.s. I absolutely love my brooch! I’ve already received several compliments. That, and your packaging style is art at it’s sweetest. I would love to spy your Christmas packages! Thank-you so much. 🙂
LOVELY post!!! Thank you for such beautiful inspiration!!!
Many Blessings!
Jill
What an inspiring and beautiful post. When indeed was the last time we stopped and appreciated our strong and beautiful bodies as women? This body of mine has not climbed mountains, but has given birth to a healthy beautiful girl, and has journeyed many other journeys with her since that short time. Thank you for remind me of this, and for reminding me how we are all part of a collective journey we take as women.
you have the most inspiring posts!
xo
I sure need to remind myself every once in a while. I hope you are having a nice weekend.
Jeanne
To: jeanneoli@hotmail.com
Subject: [My Weblog] Mom to Charlotte submitted a comment to ‘Because I Can’.
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What an inspiring and beautiful post. When indeed was the last time we stopped and appreciated our strong and beautiful bodies as women? This body of mine has not climbed mountains, but has given birth to a healthy beautiful girl, and has journeyed many other journeys with her since that short time. Thank you for remind me of this, and for reminding me how we are all part of a collective journey we take as women.
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So lovely…I am thankful for your lovely reminder today…your images are beautiful!Lets all be thankful today because we can!
I love your thoughts here…I also think back to Nie when I am feeling things need to be brought back to perspective. Thank you for your inspiration and reminder!
Love love love this post! I was so touched when I read Nie Nie’s post about her hike. Thanks for sharing.
So inspirational! You’re right…..what did I not do today that people were begging God to be able to do again? Thank you for this inspiration. Tomorrow….I will go on a walk and use the time to remind myself of the blessings my life is filled with! 🙂
Jeanne what a wonder and inspiring post. When I go to boot camp on wednesday I will remember this post and your inspiring words. Thank you.
Nie inspire me too, but I love your post here and its made me think, really think..thank you!
What an amazing and touching post. Thank you for sharing that in your special way and reminding me that I too CAN. If Stephanie can I can. What a way to celebrate LIFE. Thank you.