Breaking Barriers

This week the nation lost another beautiful soul in the pancreatic cancer fight...

Sally Ride
First Woman in Space

She passed away Monday, July 23, 2012 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.  A life lost too soon.  A family grieving an immeasureable loss...

There have been many tributes to this woman of uncommon courage and inspiring passion.  One in particular speaks to her amazing life and legacy:

"Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism — and literally changed the face of America's space program. The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally's family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly,,,"
    ~Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator

It occurs to me anew that pancreatic cancer is no respecter of persons.  Young or old, male or female, wealthy or poor, famous or not, pancreatic cancer has struck in all walks of life.  The list of celebrities who have lost their lives to pancreatic cancer seems to grow daily.

It makes no difference to the cancer whether you've broken barriers of any kind.  And in this we realize that the most important barrier to break in this life is the barrier to living lives of mediocrity and fear.  It's obvious that none of us are promised tomorrow, but what's less obvious is that none of us are promised a future without barriers.  For some, that barrier is Cancer.  For others it's Alzheimers.  For others it's Divorce.  For others it's....

Life can be one big Barrier.  And it stops some.  Lays them flat out. 

But what if we Broke that Barrier.  Broke it with Grace?  Lived a life of Purpose and Passion despite the hardships and heartaches? 

I want to live like that!  Leaving a Legacy that will always shine brightly...

In Grace Remembering the Life of Sally Ride.