12.31.15 Happy New Year, Singapore 2016, Sirus XM LITV

COURAGE
Of all the characteristics of the human heart, the one I have always most admired is that of courage. Always seems to touch me most deeply, whenever I encounter it-in literature, or in real life. Like the time I was in grade school , about 10 years old, the teacher called another girl and me up to her desk after noticing that the two of us had exactly the same essay answer,word for word, in response to a question on our history exam. She demanded that both of us have our parents come up to school to discuss the matter that afternoon at dismissal. The other child knew that I was very frightened to have to bring my parent up to the school and we both knew that she was the one who had copied from my paper.Without hesitation she said,"Lorraine doesn't need to have her mom come up to school. I was the one who copied from her." She didn't HAVE to do that--but she did, and I have never forgotten her truthfulness and courage.

Years later when I was a young mom, my 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with an inflammatory eye disease which was threatening her remaining vision. She required steroid injections in her eye, so we took her to Childrens' Hospital for the procedure to be done under anesthesia. She didn't like missing school, the nausea that she experienced when she woke up and the time it took to have the injections.Since this would be an ongoing treatment,she asked the doctor if he could do it in his examining room the next time it was scheduled. He smiled at her dismissively and said," Oh my goodness, not even adults could handle having it done without being put under!" So my daughter---at 5 years old, looked up at the doctor again and asked," But doctor,will you do it for me in your examining room if I'm brave enough?" He looked over at me and nodded--and for the rest of her childhood, I stood next to her while the doctor proceeded to carry on as my child requested. {Of course my husband couldn't bear to watch and would leave the room------}

When I was about 12 years old, I read John F. Kennedy's book PROFILES in COURAGE and it made an enormous impact on me. Whenever I notice this quality in individuals,I see it as a remarkable example of what we as humans can strive for---whether we are politicians, teachers, young children, physicians,parents or young musicians who just want to spread LOVE and LIGHT and sing!

On this New Years Eve, what does all this have to do with Adam? EVERYTHING!!! Besides his beautiful voice, his beautiful face and personality, for the past 6+ years, I have been drawn to this man's kindness and COURAGE. Without these qualities, I would have still loved him as a wonderful talent---but he wouldn't have captured the special place he has in my heart and soul. And so there he sat yesterday, with a studio audience half way across the world, answering questions being thrown at him, yet again, about his persona, his performance style, his very being and beliefs. And he answered, as he always does, with charm, dignity, class and yes, COURAGE. Yes, this young man is a profile in courage for me and makes me want to be a better person.
Happy New Year, dear Adamtopians . It is such a joy to know you and I thank all of you who help to keep me close to our Adam...XO