I Will NOT Quit!

Last night, I received the heartbreaking news that a mentor and giant of my youth had passed—Dr. Wendell Calder.

I first encountered Dr. Calder during my very first semester at Bible college, where he served as one of my professors. On the first day of class, he shared four simple words that would become a foundational truth in my life: “I will NOT quit.”

I wrote those words on a piece of paper and taped them above my dorm room desk. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, defeated, or on the verge of giving up, I would look up and draw strength from them. Time and time again, they were the catalyst that kept me moving forward.

I was so inspired by Dr. Calder that I dedicated the following summer to serving as a senior camp counselor at his camp, Camp Living Waters. I have always cherished the camp experience and the opportunity to work with youth—but the chance to combine that with time under Dr. Calder’s mentorship truly stirred my soul.

That summer, on the Fourth of July, I received devastating, life-altering news that shattered my world. I turned to Dr. Calder and his wonderful wife, Joan, and shared what had happened. That evening, they covered me with their love and prayers. Their compassion was a healing balm for my wounded spirit, and I have never forgotten the comfort they offered me in my darkest hour. It was not just their words—it was their presence, their love, their authenticity.

When Dr. Calder gently asked if I’d like to return home instead of finishing out my summer mission, I looked him in the eye and said, “No sir—because I will not quit.” He gave me that famous Calder grin—the one that said more than words ever could—and in that moment, I knew he was proud to see one of his students living out the very charge he had so passionately instilled.

I’m currently finalizing my autobiography, and one of the stories in my book centers around the events of that evening. While I regret not having the chance to share it with Dr. Calder, my heart is comforted knowing he holds a meaningful place within the pages of my story.

Over the years, Dr. Calder’s mantra—“I will not quit”—has echoed through the corridors of my life. One moment that stands out was just last year, as I prepared for my SHRM-CP exam. Weeks before the test, my father suffered three heart attacks. He was gravely ill, and my first instinct was to postpone the exam. But those four words tugged at my spirit once more. “I will not quit.” I held onto them. I sat for the exam—and I passed. The joy I felt in that moment was indescribable, and I whispered a quiet thank you to Dr. Calder for still, after 40 years, guiding me with his unwavering spirit.

Thank you, Dr. Calder, for giving me those four powerful words. Thank you for the example you set, the lives you touched, and the love you gave so freely.

Because of you, I didn’t and don't quit. And because of that, I’ve known the joy of victory through perseverance.

You were a gift. And you will never be forgotten. 💝

Women’s History Month: A Woman Who Inspires Me

I've seen many posts encouraging women to share stories about women who inspire them. While I’ve had the great fortune to work alongside, be mentored by, and admire incredible women, I want to take a different approach this time.

The woman who has most inspired me of late is my mom.

I’ll be perfectly honest—our relationship is rich yet complicated. We love deeply, but our interactions can be passionate, sometimes leading us to crossroads of angst and frustration. Yet, no matter how intense our clashes, we always find our way back—hearts weathered but bound by something deeper than words.

In late October of 2024, my 81-year-old father suffered three heart attacks in a single week. After the third, my mother received the devastating news that his condition was extremely grave. The cardiologist solemnly informed her: "Your husband is a very, very, very, very sick man and will most likely not leave the hospital."

In that moment, my mother stood at the edge of an unthinkable reality—the possibility of losing her partner of 60 years. The weight of those words, heavy with finality, threatened to shatter the world they had built together.

For ten weeks, she sat diligently by my father’s bedside, holding his hand through dark, frightening, and silent moments. She bore witness as he lay motionless on a ventilator, endured relentless poking and prodding, had tubes forced down his throat and plunged into his body, and underwent painful procedures. He was medicated to the point of hallucination, and as the weeks wore on, she watched helplessly as his body weakened.

Yet, through it all, she remained steadfast—determined to prove the doctors wrong and bring her husband home.

And home he came.

On New Year's Eve, at 10:30 p.m., chauffeured by ambulance, medics brought him through their front door. They stepped into the new year—and into the next chapter of his care—on their own terms.

Since then, my mother, who just turned 80, has been his unwavering caregiver, approaching the task with the precision of a five-star general on the most profound mission of her life. With relentless dedication, she monitors his vitals, prepares nourishing meals, and manages every delicate moment with grace and strength. She ensures his comfort at every turn, oversees his physical therapy with loving determination, including firmly insisting that he walk down the hall to the kitchen and back every two hours—each step a quiet act of hope and perseverance.

She has sacrificed her own freedoms, comforts, and needs to provide my father with the care he both requires and deserves. She has battled exhaustion and frustration, shed countless silent tears, and faced difficult conversations with courage—all while coming to terms with the reality of his health and the uncertain road ahead.

I wholeheartedly believe my father is alive today because of my mother’s unwavering love and devotion.

I have witnessed firsthand the deepest vows of marriage—‘for better or for worse, in sickness and in health’—come to life before my eyes. When couples eagerly recite those vows, they cannot fully grasp their depth. Only when they are thrust into hardships that feel unbearable do they truly understand their meaning. For those who honor this covenant, love becomes more than a promise—it becomes an unshakable foundation, carrying them through life’s most difficult trials

So today, I proudly nominate my mother as the woman who has most inspired me during Women’s History Month.

She is the embodiment of strength, love, and unwavering devotion. Through an extraordinary crisis, she has shown what true partnership and caregiving mean—caring for my father with dignity, grace, and resilience. Her selflessness not only sustained him in his time of need but also paved the way for more history to be written with him. She is a testament to the quiet yet profound power of women who shape the world, one act of bravery and love at a time.

Bravo, Mom! I love you.