http://52.absolute.org Stories that changed our lives Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:25:07 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Some people have great smiles because they have dazzling teeth, and some have teeth that make me cringe - yet I love to see them smile because of how it transforms their face. Some people possess smiles that are not won easily, and when you finally receive one from them ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/08/02/rain-schmain/ When I first heard the news, I remember what one affected teenager was quoted as saying: "It all happened so fast. I feel lost, misplaced. They can't bring our town back." It turned out to be true. When the residents of Slave Lake, Alberta went to bed one Saturday night in ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/07/25/a-gift-from-me-to-you/ I drop them all the time and I can often forget where I put them. I put one into the ignition of my car countless times while I hold my breath hoping that it will start! I run out the door and use it without even remembering at times, and ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/07/12/esta-es-la-llave-de-mi-casa/ When you are up to your eyeballs in trouble and stress, perspective is sometimes hard to muster up. When you have been disappointed one too many times, hope seems more like a taunt than a promise. When you are struggling with your mistakes and wondering if you will ever get ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/06/17/anything-is-possible/ Many of us in Absolute have had the chance to box and train together at a local gym in Hamilton. The first time I went into the boxing ring, I had the opportunity to watch a couple of spars ahead of me. I remember as I was putting on my ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/05/18/when-the-timer-buzzed/ When money passes quickly through your fingers, it can be easy to forget its value. It's almost as if it magically (and sometimes, thankfully) drops out of the ABM when you punch in that not-so-secret code. It shows up in our accounts on payday, and disappears a few days later. ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/05/03/4000-pesos-and-the-power-of-hokey-pokey/ "Ok, so tell me your best life moment," I asked the group of one hundred students sitting on the floor facing me. When I asked those words to that group of high school students I was looking forward to hearing their answers. First of all, we were in Alberta, ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/04/21/my-best-life-moment/ As of today, there are very few answers - only more questions. There will always be so much about the story that we will never know. How did she end up there? What led up to that moment? What was she thinking when it happened? Did she remember that there ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/04/07/playing-for-tyeshia/ I know Christmas is technically December 25th, but when you have never experienced Christmas, you don't even care what day it is. You only care that someone took the time to think of you. That's why when Christmas came to northern Thailand at the end of this past February; no ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/03/30/etch-a-sketches-of-love/ Like the rest of the people in that tiny, obscure village, he is dirt poor. But he has something that few others in his situation have: transportation. It comes in the form of a horse. His horse is a far cry from a 'trusty steed'. In fact, I would probably say ... http://52.absolute.org/2011/03/18/a-jefe-a-horse-and-the-bano-of-their-dreams/