The Impossible Project

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

― Muhammad Ali

While searching for a gift on Ebay I stumbled upon The Impossible Project, the name given to the company that purchased the former Polaroid instant film company. In my imagination I can hear the critics who advised the group NOT to purchase the former warehouses and equipment for old, virtually defunct cameras. Now the company is HOT, selling film for the latest artistic craze, "analog photography." I'm wild about the idea.

Our 9-year-old and I are reading "Strength of a Champion," by former NFL player O.J. Brigance.

O.J. Brigance, a former Ravens and Baltimore Stallions (CFL) LB, is the Ravens’ senior advisor to player development. Brigance, who has three championship rings– two Super Bowl rings with the Ravens (2000 and 2012) and a CFL Grey Cup ring with the Baltimore Stallions (1995) – has been an inspiration to the entire Ravens organization for his perseverance and courage while fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) the past six-plus years. The NFL has honored Brigance many times, earning the Best Overall Player Development Program award for two straight years (2005-06) and also receiving the Most Outstanding Internship Program Award in 2005. In 2007, the NFL once again honored Brigance’s program, this time with the Outstanding Continuing Education Program Award. In 2008, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation also saluted O.J. with its Johnny Unitas Tops in Courage Award for his strength in his battle against ALS. Brigance played seven years for three NFL teams (Miami, Baltimore and St. Louis) before joining the Ravens’ front office in 2004.

Many times, O.J.'s life circumstances seemed insurmountable. He typed the book with his eyes because ALS has stripped him of the use of the rest of his body.

Recently we watched the movie "The Impossible," the story of one family's miraculous journey to find one another following the tsunami in Thailand. It is a gut-wrenching, beautiful, inspiring film.

Christmas is the perfect time to marvel at "the impossible. " God became human. A savior-king was born in a manger. He performed miracles and conquered death.

This blog is a work of creative writing.