Ronald Reagan has inspired me with his light-hearted outlook

On March 30, 1981, Reagan, along with his press secretary James Brady and two others, were shot by a would-be assassin, John Hinckley, Jr. Missing Reagan’s heart by less than one inch, the bullet instead pierced his left lung. He began coughing up blood in the limousine and was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where it was determined that his lung had collapsed; he endured emergency surgery to remove the bullet. In the operating room, Reagan joked to the surgeons, "I hope you're all Republicans!" Though they were not, Joseph Giordano replied, "Today, Mr. President, we're all Republicans."

The bullet was removed and the surgery was deemed a success. It was later determined, however, that the president's life had been in serious danger due to rapid blood loss and severe breathing difficulties. He was able to turn the grave situation into a more light-hearted one, though, for when Nancy Reagan came to see him he told her, "Honey, I forgot to duck".

The president was released from the hospital on April 11 and recovered relatively quickly, becoming the first serving U.S. President to survive being shot in an assassination attempt. The attempt had great influence on Reagan's popularity; polls indicated his approval rating to be around 73%. Reagan believed that God had spared his life so that he may go on to fulfill a greater purpose.

Every day we are faced with several challenges. How we respond and react to those challenges shows what kind person we are. Some people tell me that this disease is "not fair", some people react to my ALS as if I am a "DEAD MAN WALKING". I do not believe this and plan to Fight this disease till I die of old age or they find a cure! :)

I believe that God gives us trials in our lives to see how we and the people around us will react to it. Ask yourself...... How are you dealing with a challenge you are facing in your own life? Are you passing the trials God has placed before you? Is God happy with all of your family relationships? If not, change your life and live each day as if it were your last. Hug your family and friends, kiss and hold your spouse longer, spend quality time with your children, forgive everyone of every thing and forget it happened, right the wrongs in your life, repent, go to church, live your life instead of just going through the motions, and serve people. The more I would Serve in my personal and professional life, the better I would feel at the end of the day knowing that I had helped someone in need. Once a day, do something special for someone you know.

We must focus on what's most important in this life......FAMILY! Take care of them, love them, hold them, cherish them. Any day could be yours or their last day on earth. Treat everyone and talk to everyone as if it were your last day on earth. Your family is all you have....nothing else matters. Satan tries to destroy the family and cause contention. He uses all forms of deceit and trickery to damage family relationships. Satan knows all of us personally and knows which one of our buttons to push to set us off. Such as.... family differences in religious views, political views, Government, education, pet peeves and personal beliefs. All of those things really don't matter compared to family and most of those items change daily. If Satan has caused contention in your family, than he has already started putting a wedge between you and your family members. Don't let this happen or stop it from happening.

This was longer than I expected it to be so I will finish. People ask me how I am so positive during all this. I just say, "How else can I be? Mad or Sad? No one would want to be around me!" :) We must find the ability in all of us to turn a grave situation into a more light-hearted one like Ronald Reagan. Whether you are in my Family, my Police Family, or my friend.....I am your brother and I love you!! Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, love and support to me and my family while we continue the fight.

~Mark D. Kelly