the biggest loser

who watched the biggest loser tonight? i did. the last five minutes were a bit blurry, though, because i was watching through tear-filled eyes. seriously, abby said some amazing things, which really had an impact on me. did you feel it, too?

for anyone who doesn't watch, abby is a contestant who was lost in a sea of sorrow, for good reason. two and a half years ago her husband (rick), 4-year-old daughter (macy), and 2-week-old son (caleb), were all killed by a drunk driver. she lost her entire family because of one person's horrible decision. abby said that she felt like she lost her life at that same moment. well, on tonight's episode she got sent home because she made a sacrifice. she said that she was willing to go home because she had found what she was looking for...herself.

now, months after she was sent home, she is a motivational speaker for students. when she speaks to them she tells them what she would tell the drunk driver who killed her entire family, if he had lived to hear her, her words apply to so many people, including myself. she says, "now is your second chance...your second chance to make a different choice! one that will make your life better." (that may not be an actual quote, but it was something like that.)

her family was happy that she had lost 80 pounds, but they were thrilled with what she had gained...she had found the will to live again and the joy in life. and she didn't find it just from losing weight, she found it by caring for and loving the people she was surrounded by and by allowing them to love her back. getting healthy was just a bonus.

how cool is that? go hug your families...right now. do it. get up, walk away from the computer and wrap your arms around whoever you see first. even if you're using the library computer and it's a total stranger. share the love and learn to love yourselves. i know i'm going to. america, the next time you see me, i'm going to be...