I think Micki has a point about how it can sometimes turn into the naming of friends, and I think it's natural to admire one's friends because we KNOW them better, or admire the people who's actions are more visible (like the rescue workers, and believe me I admire them too for that). I think though that everyone here has things to be admired for, but sometimes these things aren't as apparent or visible because we simply don't know them personally.

I'll take my Mom as an example, I look back and admire her so much, for how she was a single mom, working overtime and raising a child, fighting depression and financial difficulties. She worked long, hard, tiring hours yet every single night made a home cooked balanced meal and spent time talking with me about my day. She made incredible sacrifices so that I could have dogs, could be involved in band at school, could have new clothes instead of hand-me-downs when she could, and much much more. She could have just told me we couldn't afford it so that she would not have to work 12-hour days, but she didn't. What she did wasn't really visible to others, it wasn't even to me until I got older. I admire her as much for all of that now as I admire other people who make sacrifices for the good of others.

That's why I think threads like this can be harder because we only know what we can see, we don't see all the personal trials and tribulations and sacrifices and efforts that I'm sure all of us go through to different degrees. I think I can honestly say I truly admire each and everyone of you, for reasons both seen and unseen. I cherish each and every person's presence here, and relish the opportunity to be a part of a community who treasures animals and pets like I do, where we can share this wonderful love in all of our own unique ways.