If we reflect on the times when we were at the top of our game there is almost always someone who was encouraging us along the way.It might have been a parent ,a nun,a friend or someone who was just passing by who said or did something that made a lasting impression. I am always stunned when someone repeats something I said years ago, and am humbled by the fact that it was helpful to them. Because of this it is so important to encourage and be encouraged. There is not one of us that has not known the down times when we questioned so many things about ourselves. It was in those moments when a hand on the shoulder ,or a statement that told us we were not alone made trying again so much easier. We only see glimpses of others, and we may be missing someone who needs that stroke more than we can imagine.