In my life I have had many gifts. When I was born, my insides were on the out side. My insides were put back in and I survived with a three inch long belly button, being a 1 in 10,000 baby.
My greatest gift was my mother. After my father was killed in a head on train collision, my mother raised three children by herself. She worked 2 jobs to provide for us and when my time for college came, she sold our house in Smith Center, Kansas and moved the entire family to Manhattan, Kansas. I graduated from Kansas State University in 1964.
The gift of motivation, I really don't know why, but I have always been driven to succeed, to have focus and with a competitive nature I believe unequaled by anyone, anywhere at any time. Of course many others have had that same feeling, but sadly many do not. I don't know why I have had this gift, but it has served me well. "You may beat me, but I am not beaten. I cannot be defeated or beaten by anything or anyone. I will never,ever give in or give up. Even in death I am not defeated".
The gift of athletics and hand-eye coordination, holding my high school discus record, admittedly for a brief period of time, elected captain of my high school football team, holding the high series bowling score for 15 years in Pratt, Kansas, placing 7th in the nation for a three games series in Reno, Nevada. Selected as the Pratt High School Girls and Boys golf coach because I had become a self taught and very good golfer.
The gift of coaching in a range of sports to include football, wrestling,basketball, track and golf.
The gift on experiencing the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" on the field and on the sideline.
The gift of serving as a city commissioner and even as mayor of the finest small city in America, Pratt, Kansas
We all have gifts of some kind, recognize them, appreciate them and use them. They will make your gift of life worth living.
