Katey Ballard-CF Warrior-February 4, 1985 to March 9, 2014

I was sad to discover the loss of another CF Warrior this week, Katey Ballard.  I have been following Katey's blog and story since I starting blogging, back in 2009.  Katey lead an amazing life and was a true inspiration to me in so many ways.  She was a double lung transplant recipient, was able to balance obtaining a nursing degree while managing complications with CF, traveled to Africa to help those in need, worked as a nurse, and was highly involved in raising awareness and funds through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Katey was engaged to be married in just 45 days.  While I feel so sad about her death, I feel even more sad she was not able to experience her wedding day.  She was so excited.  All the planning.  Its hard to understand why she was taken so soon.

Katey's number one priority in life was her faith in the Lord.  She was dedicated to the Lord in so many ways. Through her blog, I often found inspiration in her faith in the Lord's plan.  No matter how hard things where in Katey's life, she put all her faith in God.  I know she is in heaven now.  Safe, breathing, with big angel wings.

Katey, you have been a great friend.  Sharing in this disease is sometimes the only way to cope.  Thank you for teaching me to push through, no matter how difficult.  You were so strong, I will continue to grow and learn from your strength.  Loving and missing you.

Katey's blog signature

Inspiration

Inspiration can come up in different ways and sometimes unexpectedly. Living with a chronic illness inspiration is an important part of my life.  Sometimes inspiration comes from other CFers.  Seeing those living with dedication to their health can be uplifting and motivating.  Inspiration can come from a stranger....sometimes just some else at the gym working hard.  Inspiration can come from a quote, a fictitious character or a star athlete.  Today, I found inspiration in an very unexpected person.  Matthew McConaughey

I have never really been a fan of Matthew McConaughey as an actor.  Yes, he has been in some good movies (Magic Mike!) and some really not so great movies (Failure to Launch).  Actually Failure to Launch is probably one of the worst movies ever.  It was bad.  It was so bad it made McConaughy look like a terrible actor.  I did like him in Lincoln Lawyer.  And if I thought really hard, I could probably come up with a few other movies he was ok in.  But just "ok."  So when I heard that McConaughy was nominated for an Oscar, I had a really hard believing he was worthy.  And when I saw that he won, I was a little shocked.  Perhaps not the fairest assessment considering I have not seen Dallas Buyers Club, but I was just stuck on thinking of his previous, less-than-stellar performances.

Then today at the gym I watched his acceptance speech.  It was an instant paradigm shift. In the three minute plus speech, I went from looking at this guy as an actor getting by on his good looks to a man full of courage, wisdom, and inspiration.  A man I can learn something from.  A man who has learned how to make his life meaningful and appreciate what he has been given.  Was his performance worthy of an Oscar?  Who knows...but that has to be one of the best acceptances speeches I have seen.

There have been some great speeches in the line of Academy Award Winners.  Tom Hanks, Sean Penn, and Adrian Brody top my list of favorites.  I am happy to add McConaughy to the list.  These actors have so much more to offer us than a movie or TV show.  They can offer motivation and inspiration to achieve goals, respect others, and maybe most importantly, respect ourselves.

Today is a Gift

Last year I decided to turn my blog to private and take a break from the blogging world all together.  I am now ready to reactivate No Two Snowflakes Are Alike! Reasons for the private setting are in the past and not even worth discussing.  The only thing I can do is move forward.  But I will say this, I missed blogging.  I missed writing.  I missed reading other people's blogs.  But what I have really missed more than anything is the networking with other CFers.  It is time to reestablish my relationships.  I recognize how important CF networking has been for me.  It has helped with my motivation in treatments, exercise, and general compliance.  It is also a coping mechanism.  Meeting others with CF changed my life.  I don't want to lose those relationships.

There is a favorite saying I want to share that helps me just move forward:

Tomorrow is a mystery
Yesterday is history
Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present

All I can do is appreciate today and look forward to tomorrow.

Any new blogs out there I should be following???