Truemors
Mrs. Shriver was one of the most admired people that I can remember from the first time I learned about Special Olympics.
She left this earth this at the age of 88 but what she left behind was a legacy of helping those with mental and physical challenges starting back in 1962.
As I recall, she had seen her sister, Rosemary, struggle with mental illness and felt the need to do more to raise awareness and help others.
Sometimes in life we take things for granted.
We cherish the stories of the real hero's of Special Olympics - sometimes bringing tears - happy ones at that, to our eyes, yet so often we forget who the real champion is or was - the person that got things started.
Not only elegant and graceful but also down to earth and not beyond dropping the preface of the social elite to get right down to business, Mrs. Shriver rolled up her sleeves and made things happen.
Years from now she will be remembered more as a name behind one charity and it's events but most likely she will be forgotten that she was a Lady in every Grand sense of the word who shared her heart, her talents, and her feelings with the rest of the world.
A name like Kennedy commands respect from a political standpoint - and no doubt she had her political position in place at all times - yet that never hampered her love of her sister, Rosemary, the pain it inflicted upon her personally to see her "hidden" from public as mental illness and physical challenges were not accepted in public in her day, yet she stepped forward, raised awareness and made a difference.
A standing farewell to one of America's Honorary First Ladies (in my opinion) who's selfless acts of time, kindness, energy and money have brought joy to millions of people and at the same time, tears of sheer happiness to the onlookers, families and admirers of the children who benefited from a contribution to the United States (as well as other countries around the Globe) worthy of praise, but humbly accepted with the personal knowledge that she did make a difference.
"Come to Me All Ye Who Labor and are Burdened and I Shall Give You Rest" - from the book of Matthew (and memory if I am slightly off on the verse).
Mrs. Shriver gave those burdened with challenges a cause for hope, joy and celebration and a place all their own on this Earth - something to look forward to - a reason to get excited. She was an ambassador to special needs children everywhere.
With the passing of Mrs. Shriver, our country has lost another beloved leader who humbly accepted "Thank You" for all of her work over the years.
May she rest in peace and her life be celebrated for years to come.
Thank you, Mrs. Shriver. Many of us will never forget just how much of a difference you made.
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