Inspirational People

You never know where they're going to come from. I happen to work with one.

Last March 26, co-worker and friend Abby Simpkins and husband Bill lost their 6 year old daughter Emma in a tragic accident at their home, a truly tragic accident. In situations such as these, you never know how the family life is going to turn out.....

Now Abby is a mother of 4 kids, a totally devoted family mom, working about 30 hours a week in our international finance sector, drives a Ford Excursion with "DL Jr 8" on her license plate...yep she's a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan and a NASCAR fan. Since that time, Abby has gotten herself involved in daily Boot Camp classes that commence at the break of dawn everyday, this involves running, physical exercises, the whole she-bang. She progressed from running 1-2 miles every couple of days, then everyday, that turned into 5 miles, then 8 miles, up to 12, then 15, now it's 18and 20 miles at a time about once a week. Throw in a few 5-8 miles a day in between ......"I really don't bother with anything under 5 miles......unless I'm being timed", she says.

Wow. Pretty dang good I have to say in just a couple of months. She is going to run in P.F. Chang's Rock ' n Roll Marathon in Phoenix this January.

Some people would crumble under situations such as these, but not Abby. She's taking life by the horns, kicking ass and taking names.

This coming March 31, 2007, Abby and Bill will be holding a 5K Run in Anthem, AZ, this will co-incide with the community's "Anthem Days". This run will be called "Emma's Run", in memory of their daughter Emma. I will have details in the coming weeks. Basically it will be something around $18 for entry fee that will benefit the "We Care" foundation that was set up in Anthem to assist with grieving families in need and one that came to the Simpkins family. This is a phenomenal organization.

Abby is a real inspiration, whenever you think you have it hard or life isn't treating you fair, think of her, Bill and their 3 boys.

PS- Not that she needs it, but she's even got the Mrs. rising at 4:50am 4 times a week to hit the gym.