Live your dreams everyday.

My husband leaves a note for us on the kitchen table every morning before he goes to work. He will write something special to each of us or tell us what he will be doing during the day, or sometimes he just says he loves us. He always signs it, "Live your dreams everyday, Dad."

This is a saying a friend of his, Dave, used to say.

Nothing was unattainable to Dave. He was a leader in almost every organization he was a part of, and he was a part of everything. His positive outlook on life was amazing. He embodied the belief that anything is possible. He was dynamic and engaging and would look deep into your eyes when you spoke to him and you knew he was really listening.

When we were facing the challenges of starting our married lives, Dave faced a different challenge. His sight had rapidly deteriorated, and they discovered a brain tumor. Now for most of us this would have been a devastating event, but not for Dave.

Here, read:

David was challenged with becoming legally blind at the start of his illness and never once complained. To the contrary he called his challenge a "Gift".His courage, positivity, determination, strength, and love of life will always be an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. So often after tragedy, comes something positive. That's what happened to Dave - whose tumor and impaired eyesight gave him a new outlook on life and an appreciation of the need to help others. He became a leader in all he did, president of student congress, Captain of the football team, President of his fraternity. He spoke on Local cable TV, became a mentor to many blind people and at Camp Marsala he taught children who were blind or partially sighted. No friendship was ever lost, he kept in touch with people because he truly cared about them and they responded positively to him. He was the most positive thinker and doer anyone could ever meet. In '97-'98, he was the recipient of the prestigious Coulter Award, which is awarded to the graduate brother who has contributed the most to an undergrad chapter through service other than an officer.

David, 37, of NJ passed September 13, 2004 after seven years of courageously battling brain tumors.

Published in The Record and Herald News on 9/14/2004

As you go out into the world on this day, remember that you are fabulous and remember to live your dreams everyday.

Happy Monday (and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday).