In life our perspective often depends upon our vantage point. If you are at the base of a mountain… all you can see is the mountain and maybe some of the empty sky above. If you are on top of the mountain the world becomes a different place. The vast beauty of the rocks, hills, valleys, rivers and sky all blend into your senses to capture a moment that you wish you could wrap your arms around and hold forever.
At the top of the mountain you clearly see the trees and the paths leading to your position…it is all so clear… yet from the bottom of the mountain one might only see a rocky dirt trail being blocked by a few fallen trees.. The trees are tall and can block your view of the path ahead.
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches me to see the forest from the trees… the details are all there, but the overall picture is clear whether I find myself at the base of the mountain or at it’s peek.
Adam continues to inspire me with his unconquerable spirit… Without going into all the details… just know that Adam is competing in his own personal olympic trial… his own private race for the gold.
A sweet sister sent this to Adam and our family… may I please offer it up for you to read. Tears fell from my eyes as I read her words.. Thank you so much….
“From down in the trenches you see things in real time. The perspective you keep is inspiring.”
“Out here the progress is miraculous. I see a strong young man who is fighting hard. I see a handsome young man who smiling, walking, doing leg lifts (wow!), and creating a very detailed drawing. From here is it like watching an Olympic athlete train for the gold. Yesterday we watched Missy Franklin swim 2 events within 15 minutes of each other. That has rarely been done in Olympic swimming because the athletes usually need time to rest between events.”
“The first event was to qualify for the final in the 200 meter freestyle. The 2nd event was the final 100 backstroke. Both events were endurance races and would drain her energy significantly. She was determined to do it.”
“She took the advice of coaches who said to 1) take it one event at a time and 2) to relax as much as possible between events. She did just that. She took one race at a time. She relaxed her body and mind in between. She ended up qualifying for the final in the freestyle and winning the gold in the backstroke!”
“This Olympian reminds me of you Adam! Except your events have much higher stakes and far greater rewards, and more far reaching effects on the people who know you. Just remember to take one event at a time and relax in between. You have a huge cheering section! We have so much confidence in you! Just keep swimming.”
“Love you!”
ADAM: MY OLYMPIAN
nnn
Adam Hawkes 
Do You Know A Hero?
Not every Marine is a hero. During field training exercises at Parris Island, South Carolina, one drill instructor threw a pine cone among the recruits and yelled, “Grenade!” The trainees immediately turned away and hit the ground. “Just as I suspected,” chided the drill instructor. “Not a hero among you! Didn’t anyone want to jump on that grenade to save the others?”
A little later the instructor tossed another pine cone and yelled, “Grenade!” This time, all the recruits but one jumped on the “explosive.”
“Why are you still standing there?” the DI demanded.
“Sir,” the recruit replied, “someone had to live to tell about it.”
Not everyone is a hero. But then, not every hero jumps on grenades, pulls terrified children from burning buildings, or wears an impressive uniform.
Do you know a hero? I am not asking you to simply name a favorite celebrity. There is a difference.
Do you know a hero? I think perhaps you do. Heroes, you see, can be found in some of the most unexpected places. I knew a young mother who was slowly dying of cancer, yet she put aside her pain long enough every day to smile and laugh with her children. She tried hard every day to bring sunshine into the gloomy hospital room when her family was present. And I watched her husband fill the roles of single parent and financial provider, and still spend every remaining moment sitting at his mate’s bedside, valiantly encouraging and offering whatever hope he could muster.
I knew a talented teacher who could have worked at a far more lucrative profession, yet was determined to stay in a disadvantaged school in the hope that she could make a difference in a difficult situation. She did it for her students.
I’ve known other heroes, too.
You may have noticed – many of the world’s true heroes will never be confused with action figures. Most have never been to battle, competed athletically nor sung in a pop band. But they have faced nearly impossible challenges with unimaginable determination and courage. They found what it takes to bear the unbearable, forgive the unforgivable, love the unlovable, outlast the unendurable or defeat the undefeatable. And often they do it for the sake of others.
Do you know a hero? Maybe one lives in your home. And perhaps one even looks back at you from the mirror. For it is in everyday battles of the spirit that true wars are fought and won. And it is those real-life heroes who give the rest of us hope and remind us that anything is possible.
Do you know a hero? I think you do.
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I read this and I thought of your family. Each of you are heroes and examples. Adam’s perseverance and hardwork. I remember you saying that he wants to go on a mission. In a way, he’s already started. What a great example of courage. I do follow your posts, on some I wrote comments/replies and some, there are just no words but “WOW”. You and Cindy are both great parents. What a blessing it is to go through this life to be blessed with such wonderful parents, a father who loves his children, adores his wife, honor his priesthood. I remember the morning that Lowell was getting ready to leave for the MTC. When he came up to his father and ask “Dad, can you give me a fathers blessing?” When he is there to give counsel, bless, teach and reprimand. You and Cindy and Adam, are all great example of true courage . From a parent to another, we often would watched our children go through their trials but then quietly wishes that we could switch places with them when it comes to heartaches, pains and sufferrings. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. This too shall pass. One foot in front of the other and if we have to look up just to scope how much further you have to climb, if it seems too high, know that like the runners in the Olympic, it is great to be a part of the race than be an spectator and then on the sidelines may you see those who are cheering you on,someone to tag to run the rest of the race if you feel weary. Yeah, as He said, He will give you rest. It may seem like small accomplishments, but all things great starts off small. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to follow you through this journey and until that time that Adam asks you for a fathers blessings not for comfort but for guidance as he leave to labor on His vineyard, know that you are all serving as inspirations to every parents who are watching their children struggle, and to Adam, keep charging forward, you are being thought off, admired, loved and cheered on as you you continue to run your race, finish your journey and reach your goal. You are a very lucky young man to have such great supportive parents who loves you tremendously. Keep going, nothing can break a valiant spirit…..God Bless and God Speed……
Adam this is my prayer for you.
May God heal your body and soul.
May your pain cease,
May your strength increase,
May your fears be released,
May blessings, love and joy surround you.
Amen
We are keeping up on this blog and all praying for you. Abby wanted to make a comment today:
“Adam, I heard on how brave you were to go through that surgery. I used to complain for years on how hard it was for me. My problems are nothing compared to what you have to face and yet, you endure them so much stronger then I would if I were in your place. I sincerely hope you recover. I will be praying for you even more to ensure this hope comes true.
Your Admirer,
Abby Rucker”