Stan is the Man

I was so impressed while watching Australian Idol on the weekend (sssh...it's one of my guilty pleasures). Not with the show, not with the guest judges, not with the band. I was impressed with a young man who seems to be wildly wise beyond his 18 years. A young man by the name of Stan Walker.
Now Stan has not had the best start in life, nor has he had an easy journey to where he is now. From the wrong side of the tracks, involved in juvenile delinquency, never expected to go far. But come far he has. Blessed with a magical voice, and also the ability to tell a story and convey emotion while performing a song.
But what really astounded me was Stan's interview soundbite before his last of 3 songs for the night, Amazing Grace. Unconventional choice for an 18 year old normally dressed in a hoodie and cap? Definitely. Did he belt it out like every word had meaning to him and his path in life? Most definitely!
Anyway, in the soundbite he was talking about watching Guy win the first year and how much he wanted to do that, that his dream was one day he would be there. And now he is.
How so much has gone down (probably a lot more bad than good)in that time between now and then, but he made it to where his dream was taking him.
Then what really blew me away was when he said "Do you know why I want to win Idol? Because now I know I can, and it can be done. It's not more the winning, but it's about 'I can do it'. That's why I want to win." Anyone who has ever dared to follow their dream, achieved a long held goal, or held one in their sights will know exactly what Stan meant.
And you know what? I really, really hope that he wins. Not only does he have the classic underdog story, but he has shown he's got the goods, the attitude and the work ethic. For anyone to rise from where he has and follow their inner voice is an example to everyone what can be achieved when you put your heart and soul into your dreams.
Stan Walker, I raise my hat (or should I say, cap!) to you.
Such humility, such grace.
Amazing Grace.

The Love of a Dog

I have never came across a dog with a personality like our Great Dane/Ridgeback cross Daisy. We rescued her from the RSPCA when she was about 6 months old, she had arrived there as a mistreated stray. Shanon came across her photo in the newspaper and knew instantly that she belonged with us. She was very timid and painfully thin to start with but after several days of lots and lots of love and care (and generally being spoilt rotten) she began to love life again. She is very much a people dog, even after her horrific start in life. It says a lot about a dog's capacity for healing and trust I think. It saddened me terribly one day when we were playing with one of her "toys" to see her flinch and cower when I raised my arm over my head in a slam-down throwing motion. And it shocked me as well to realise that that was her experience of life, where even play time was treated with wariness.
She has been part of our lives for over 18 months now, and we are finally coming out the other side of the "Puppy Years" (phew!). She makes us laugh every day, and fills our lives with joy...

Today I want to share with you something that I came across on my friend Nieema's Facebook page. It will fill your heart with love. And maybe, if you're like me, your eyes with tears.
Happy reading everyone, let me know if it touched you as well.

Lucky the Dog

Ann and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.'

Lucky was a real character. Whenever Ann and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Ann or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favourite toys Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Ann found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her.....what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Ann's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Ann thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Ann than her doctors had anticipated and Ann for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Ann to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Ann was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.

Lucky stood watching Ann but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Ann sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Ann woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Ann realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favourite things in life.

He had covered her with his love.

Ann forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Ann is still cancer-free. Lucky He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Ann remains his greatest treasure.

Macho macho man

What wonderful songs you can hear (and see) if you are watching Pay TV late at night. Really, it's too much fun. (Hence the post title.)
Well people, this is my first blog.
Caught a bit unawares, but I do aim to improve.
I will be posting a blog everyday, and my goal is to reach and connect with one person every day. It is a very small world, and the more you connect the more you realise that this is the case.
(Hello Luke and your gorgeous family who I had the pleasure of meeting tonight. Looking forward to meeting up next week x)
Life is not always random.
I can thank my new friend Cheri from Great Lakes Michigan for that thought this week. We have known each other for a few days and I consider her a friend, and a part of my life already. If by any chance you get to read this Cheri, I just need to say Happy Anniversary, you are a wonderful woman.
Life is short, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Make sure you strap yourself in and hang on for the ride!