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A Flurry of Activity
Polar Bear Encounter
From the Heart of a Mother:
Saving a Son, Healing a Family
From the Editor
Katie Sauck
Before skiing, I always suffer from a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach; one of impending doom. Scared that I will break a leg or do something embarrassing like trip over my own skis and end up in a tree, dread always precedes hitting the slopes. I realize how silly this is. I’ve never even been injured while skiing! In fact, I always end up having a blast. Shirley Hansel featured on page 32 has worked at Mount Kato for more than 20 years. This woman has seen it all: the eager to learn, the hesitant snow bunnies like me, the naturals as well as those who spend the entire day inching down a hill. After reading her story, I may have to overcome my pre-skiing jitters and give it another chance.
During a visit to the zoo several years ago, I stood near the underwater viewing area of the polar bear pen. Two full-grown bears swam from one end of the tank to the other repeatedly pressing their massive paws against the glass. Their footprints left an impression of great power. No barrier stood between Rachel Collins and the polar bear stalking her and a group of girls during an Arctic expedition. See her story on page 20. I admire her courage and adventurous spirit…even as a dangerous predator stood only 40 feet away.
Sometimes the things we fear the most end up being the greatest blessings. I have discovered that when I face my fears, I become stronger. There is also a sense of pride and accomplishment that sustains me in otherwise scary situations. May the stories in this issue inspire you to accept any challenges you are facing with courage and hope!
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