Both of my daughters are amazing women. I didn't raise them to be amazing but they managed to be anyways. All five of our children became alpine ski racers. Kirsten, a severe asthmatic, raced through high school and college. Oftentimes after each run, the ski patrol would be waiting for her at the bottom of the hill with an oxygen tank as she collapsed struggling for breath. They usually suggested she forgo her second run, but she never quit. She would finish her second run with every ounce of energy she had and usually final in a respectable top seed.

Sarah, likes to climb mountains. She hiking most weekends to achieve the esteemed recognition as a 46er. (One who has reached the summit of all 46 Adirondack high peaks.) She has also been accepted as one of the 12 women globally who will be climbing the three highest peaks in Africa in a program called 3peaks 3 weeks in January 2011. Heroines indeed.

Who are your real life heroines? We write about women who are strong, independent, wise. Women who we relate to and admire. I know they aren't wholly fictitious.
Who are the true heroines in your life?

My Heroes

The hero and heroine of THISTLE DEW are character blends of many people that I admire and consider heroes. My heroes are strong in the sense that they move forward despite obstacles that life throws at them. You might recognize some of my characters in these real life heroes.
My brother Scott, a diabetic since the age of 16, has worked hard, played hard and been an outstanding Dad and now Grandpa. Even after this summer, when he was in the ICU for a week and then air lifted to a bigger hospital, he came back as feisty as ever.
My brother Doug has been a hero since her went into a burning house at Christmas to find a poor mans wallet containing all the money he had in the world. He became a fireman, an EMT and now retired, he cares for my brother Scott.
My grandson Luke is a hero too. Born with serious birth defects, surgery at Washington DC Children's Hospital at age 1 day old and has had about 6 surgeries since, (Luke learned to walk in a body cast). Today he is a healthy active 10 year old.
These are only three of my real life heroes. I have more to share at a later date.
BUT...until then...who are your real life heroes?