Mother Teresa

Nine years ago today, September 5, 1997, the world lost one of the greatest people I've witnessed in my lifetime. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, familiarly known as Mother Teresa is sorely missed today. Watching her from far away I was able to draw much courage and inspiration during my small trials and tribulations.

She was one of the greatest humanitarians the modern world has known. She definetly talked the talk and walked the walk when it came to helping the most despised and unwanted people in the world. Though small in stature, she was a giant when it came to helping others.

She said, "Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."

This is exactly was she did in forming the religious order called the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The order provides food for the needy and operates hospitals, schools, orphanages, youth centers, and shelters for lepers and the dying poor. It now has branches in 50 Indian cities and 30 other countries.

In 1982, at the height of the siege in Beirut she convinced the parties to stop the war so she could rescue 37 sick children trapped inside .

In 1962 she received the Pandma Shri prize for "extraordinary services"

1971: Pope Paul VI honors Mother Teresa by awarding her the first Pope John XXIII Peace Prize.

1972: Government of India presents her with the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.

1979: Wins Nobel Peace Prize

1985: President Reagan presents her the Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian award.

1996: She becomes only the fourth person in the world to receive an honorary U.S. citizenship.

When she received the Nobel Prize she wore the same trademark 1$ sari and convinced the committee to cancel a dinner in her honor, using the money instead to " feed 400 poor children for a year in India"

She continued her works untiringly despite suffering two heart attacks, pneumonia, malaria and open heart surgery during the last twelve years of her life.

Here are some quotes attributed to this great lady fondly known as "The Angel of Mercy"

The most important medicine is tender love and care.

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Thank you Mother Teresa for being an inspiration in my life.