Lots of people inspire me, first responders, excellent authors and leaders and musicians and just plain hard working folks. But the individuals who inspire me most are those who endure physical and emotional pain with courage. I think of Janelle, a young mom with aggressive breast cancer and Patti who has lost both her husband and daughter and now her eyesight. I think of Penny and Muriel and Carol Ann who have pushed through rounds and rounds of chemo. I think of Danny, who cared for his wife with Lou Gerigh's disease for years on end and of Sandy who hasn't experienced a day without pain for more than 5 decades. These folks who have suffered well and trusted Jesus well are my heroes, unsung and unnoticed by the media but precious to me. The brave men and women who persevere with hope encourage me to do the same. They are the ones who inspire me most.