Motive Fire

10/04/2025

05/09/2024

"My heart is gonna explode, y'all!

"Adopted 7 out of foster care ... 6 boys and 1 girl (who snuck in with her twin brother). Pic of my kids leaving the courtroom after the twins' adoption.

Twins 6 & 7 are siblings of #3 ... who I adopted years before, and then SURPRISE twins. Best thing I ever did!"

Via Dawn Haddaway"

05/08/2024

"A Father’s Tribute to HIs Son"
“Our son Jackson turns 13 today., but his old soul has him clocking in at around 72, far more mature than his appearance or (more so) his dad.

He started life on earth in a pretty dicey way, with my wife Mika in labor for 21 hours, and his body in breech when he was due to take the Lincoln Tunnel to the waterfront, otherwise known as a birthing pool in our den.

I had to assist the midwife in pulling him out, which is not a job I prepared for in class. Either that, or I didn’t pay attention during doula week. Shark week I’m more equipped, good with swimming amongst those creatures, far more than trying to grasp onto this form about to become a child.

Yes, the boy we call “Junior,” because he reminds people of his dad, came into the world a disruption, but lives life in a most beautiful, serene and confident way.

He is a good and compassionate friend, seems to be missing the mean bone, ridiculously kind to his little sister and loves his family immensely. I still can’t believe that he continues to hold my hand when we walk, without pause or embarrassment.

A loud happy birthday to this quiet little man of few words. I just love this kid!”

cr:Good People News

05/08/2024

What does it feel like to be old?
The other day, a young person asked me: - What did it feel like to be old?
I was very surprised by the question, since I did not consider myself old. When he saw my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question. And after reflection, I concluded that getting old is a gift.
Sometimes I am surprised at the person who lives in my mirror. But I don't worry about those things for long. I wouldn't trade everything I have for a few less gray hairs and a flat stomach. I don't scold myself for not making the bed, or for eating a few extra "little things." I am within my rights to be a little messy, to be extravagant, and to spend hours staring at my flowers.
I have seen some dear friends leave this world, before they had enjoyed the freedom that comes with growing old.
-Who cares if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 in the morning and then sleep until who knows what time?
I will dance with me to the rhythm of the 50's and 60's. And if later I want to cry for some lost love...I will!
I'll walk down the beach in a swimsuit that stretches over my plump body and dive into the waves letting myself go, despite the pitying looks of the bikini-wearers. They'll get old too, if they're lucky...
It is true that through the years my heart has ached for the loss of a loved one, for the pain of a child, or for seeing a pet die. But it is suffering that gives us strength and makes us grow. An unbroken heart is sterile and will never know the happiness of being imperfect.
I am proud to have lived long enough for my hair to turn gray and to retain the smile of my youth, before the deep furrows appeared on my face.
Now, to answer the question honestly, I can say: -I like being old, because old age makes me wiser, freer!-.
I know I'm not going to live forever, but while I'm here, I'm going to live by my own laws, those of my heart.
I'm not going to regret what wasn't, nor worry about what will be.
The time that remains, I will simply love life as I did until today, the rest I leave to God.
Lunyta 🌙 — in Oldsmar, Florida.

05/08/2024

Agnes Keleti, survived the Holocaust, lived through the overthrow of communism in her native Hungary, and won 10 Olympic medals over the course of her career!
Born in 1921, Agnes became a star gymnast in her youth, winning national championships and taking part in the infamous 1936 Olympics in Berlin. With the outbreak of World War II, Keleti managed to survive by concealing her Jewish identity and finding work as a maid in a small village. Her father and other family members were murdered at Auschwitz.
After the war, Agnes resumed her career and made her true athletic breakthrough. She was 31 by the time of the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, where she won four medals including the gold in the floor exercise.
The Melbourne Olympics of 1956 offered the chance to leave Hungary for good, and she, along with other Hungarian athletes, sought and found refuge in Australia. A year later she left Australia for Israel where she became the star of the 5th Maccabiah – מכביה.
Keleti collected more Olympic medals than Usain Bolt and is still going strong at the age of 101!
Photo: Agnes Keleti, the Maccabiah Archive
Credits goes to the respective owner ✍️

05/07/2024

My son and I moved last month, starting over with very little furniture. I found this advertised for free on Facebook one night, got up before work one morning and drove across town to pick it up from the curb. Strapped all ten million pounds of it onto the roof of my little four-door car. I think it's beautiful. Hard to believe was free and the timing was perfect.
Credit: Weird and wonderful sharing

05/07/2024

"BROTHERS SEPARATED FOR YEARS IN FOSTER HOMES RECEIVE SURPRISE ADOPTION TOGETHER

Separated in foster care, Tre and Ke'Lynn yearned to be together. Despite brief monthly visits, they sobbed at every parting. Their bond deepened through shared trauma and a dream of a loving family, highlighted in WFAA's "Wednesday Child Segment." Dr. Robert Beck, deeply moved by their story, adopted them on July 18, 2018, surprising them in court. Overwhelmed with joy, they embraced their forever father, finally having a home and family, including an older brother, helpers, and a promise of lifelong love and protection.😍❤️"

05/07/2024

What was a moment when you realized your life was changed forever?

"I spent most of my adult life being in various stages of obesity. I was always attempting to lose weight and tried every diet imaginable. Some were initially successful. Until they weren’t. I’d gain back all the weight and it would bring friends. By the time I was 40, my body was starting to break down. I had a hereditary form of arthritis in my knees and that was getting worse. By age 50 I was using a cane to walk and by 55 I was using a walker. Having limited mobility did not help my situation at all. People who do not struggle with obesity think fat people are lazy and lacking will power. That could not be farther from the truth. We try harder than you might ever imagine, but this disease of obesity seems to always win.

When I was nearing 60, it was clear I needed knee replacements, but I was too heavy for it to be done safely and effectively. At 58 I had made the decision to have weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass. I was so desperate to get out of this body I was trapped in that I was willing to be dissected and have my plumbing rewired. I went through a long process my HMO required in order to qualify. I did everything they asked and more. When I entered the bariatric program, I weighed somewhere in the vicinity of 400 lbs. I say “somewhere” because I refused to be weighed anymore. I weighed 350 lbs the day of surgery. I was diabetic and getting worse. I had diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I knew this was it. My last chance.

Two months shy of my 61st birthday, I had the surgery. The next day I knew my life had changed forever. For one thing, the diabetes had gone into remission. There was no sign of it. None. I no longer needed insulin or metformin. Blood pressure? Normal. I left the hospital needing no medication for two things that would have killed me. Then, in the days following the miracle happened. I was dropping weight like crazy. A size a week at times. In 18 months I lost another 150 lbs. More importantly, I was coming to life! I no longer was watching from the sidelines. I was participating. The only things holding me back were my knees and that end-stage arthritis. One year after surgery, I had my first knee replacement. Nine months later, my second. That changed my life even more than weight loss surgery! I set a goal to go on a vacation to London as soon as my knees were ready. (I lived there in 1976 on a university semester abroad program and always wanted to go back.) Six months later I was in London. Forty-one years and six months later, that is! If you know London you know getting around there requires lots of walking and stair climbing. I would never have managed it prior to the three surgeries that not only saved my life, but gave me an entirely new one! I’m still me. But better. Do I still struggle with my weight? Yes. I did not have brain surgery after all. The difference is now I have a tool (my stomach the size of a lemon) that regulates how much I can eat. If I start gaining, I know I can pay better attention to what I eat to keep within ten pounds of my normal weight. My life is not perfect. Nobody’s is. But it is MY life and I’m living it instead of sitting on the sidelines. I have a definite sense of that line of demarcation when things finally changed for the better! See for yourself. The after picture is me having tea in London!"

05/06/2024

Henry Ford and his wife in the first car he built in 1896, in a photograph from 1946.

The first car that automobile maven Henry Ford ever constructed was the Quadricycle Runabout, a vehicle that looks more like a carriage crossed with two bicycles than cars that we’re driving around now. The QR was Ford’s first draft at a gasoline-powered car, a chain drive, and and a buggy seat. At the time Ford had to come up with his own ignition system, which shows just how ingenious Ford was.

The Quadricycle Runabout was a very simple automobile with a two-cylinder engine. In 1896 Ford sold the car for $200 in order to build his second car and after his success in 1904 he bought the car back for $65. It’s good to see that the QR never stopped running.

05/06/2024

"Tonight at our Graduation Ceremony I noticed that my Principal Matt Smith was wearing tennis shoes with his suit. I can honestly say I thought it was quite odd and out of character for him.

I then noticed Bill Thomas, a teacher who handles the sound for graduation was also wearing tennis shoes. Again, odd and out of character for him.

After the ceremony I found out that both had surrendered their dress shoes to two young men that did not have proper shoes for graduation.

What an amazing example of the kind and caring people that I get to work with every day! Thanks for being a great example to our young people."

Credit Paul Marlow