"Manute Bol died on Saturday, June 19, 2010 from acute kidney failure brought on by complications arising from his skin disorder, Stevens–Johnson syndrome. He was 47.
Manute Bol was truly a walking, talking, larger-than-life object lesson in how to put God’s gifts to their best use.
While he will likely be remembered here in America primarily for blocking shots and hitting improbable three-pointers, his true legacy is much bigger than that.
In the following years, while I (like so many other Americans) saw my awareness of Sudan slowly grow from non-existent to minor, Bol continued to be perhaps the most-recognizable representative and benefactor of the millions of southern Sudanese who were living through a seemingly never-ending and atrocity-laden civil war.
He made a fortune blocking shots in the NBA, and gave almost all of it away to help folks back home who needed it more. He offered up his body and what some would mistake for his dignity by agreeing to be paraded out in front of gawking crowds in one-time fast-cash gimmicks. He laced up a pair of skates for a minor league hockey team (as you might guess, ice hockey isn’t a big pastime in Sudan) and soundly beat William “the Refrigerator” Perry in a celebrity boxing match."
More at: http://humanrights.change.org/blog/view/manute_bol_a_giant_among_us
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In his native language, the word "Manute" means "special blessing." There's no doubt that for millions of Sudanese - and the tens of millions inspired by his story - Manute Bol was nothing short of a blessing.
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You can also honor Bol by joining Save Darfur in calling on President Obama to make ending the violence in Sudan, which continues to this day, a priority.
"Early in your presidency you said that you "find cause for hope" in the movement to stop the genocide in Darfur, and to prevent genocide in the future."
The President said he would, now let's make him stick to his word, by signing this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/ask_president_obama_to_make_ending_genocide_a_priority
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Humor Break:
I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.
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Today and Yesterday:
Ray and I have been getting rid of the orangey tinge caulk that was around my tub/shower and vanity, and replacing it with the Antique White, it looks so much better. I don't know what the contractors were thinking when they used that color caulk. With my shower curtain down, I had to use the little tub/shower in the small bathroom off the grooming room.
Also, we have also been outside in this heat and humidity, moving several years of soil which had accumulated beside the cedar skirting on the back of the house. It would have made the cedar rot, if we hadn't moved it. I guess years of rain splattering down off the roof, propelled it there. Ray shoveled it into the Little Black Wagon, then we scooped the soil out of the wagon and put it in the trough of aloe vera plants.
After that, I was so glad to have my own tub/shower operational again today.
Monday, July 5, 2010
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