On August 11th Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away at age 88. It is reported that during her final days she was surrounded by her husband of 56 years Sargent Shriver….56 years wow!!! Along with their five children which included California First Lady Maria Shriver and all 19 grandkids. She was the 5th of 9 children in the legendary Kennedy brood among them the late John F. Kennedy and current Sen. Ted Kennedy. She could have easily lived those years raising her children and living off her family name. Instead she dedicated her life serving others and founded one of the most beautiful organizations, The Special Olympics.

In 1968 when the Special Olympics was launched there were 1000 competitors, today 3 million hopefuls from more than 180 countries vie to compete. The power of perseverance can be felt so strongly in the air at these games. The strength and courage of the athletes and the love from those attending and volunteering truly make the Special Olympics so magical. Yes Eunice Kennedy Shriver was born into privilege but used that for good, to serve others. Think how easy it would have been for her to just raise her children with all the luxuries to help her do so, enjoy fabulous vacations, have access to all of life’s finer accommodations and never once lift a finger for others, for a lot of people that would be really easy to do. Not for Eunice Kennedy Shriver, from all that is written about her, she felt not only honored but that is was her duty to help others. In a 2006 interview she is quoted as saying “If you don’t have an idea that materializes and changes a person’s life, then what have you got?” “You have talk.”

What drove Shrives life was to open doors athletically, socially and medically for those that struggled with disabilities. When you think of how far we have come with our views of those that are developmentally challenged Eunice Kennedy Shriver played a huge role in that positive outlook and positive changes…… what a legacy for her to leave behind, she helped make this world a better place which helps this to be A Wonderful Life!