Google’s Valentine Tribute

Google’s Valentine Tribute

In a world of tech-savvy teenagers and white collar executives, we often find ourselves turning to Google for all the answers. From universal questions about love to how to assemble a bouquet of roses, Google seems to know just what we need to make our Valentine’s Day special.

Yet despite our best efforts and our rapidly typing finger-tips, no amount of googling can tell you how to love. Google’s Valentine Doodle is an inspiring message about the human heart, demonstrating how true relationships begin with a common interest rather than materialistic gifts.

Similar to the first few minutes in Pixar’s Up, Google’s Valentine Doodle let’s an entire love story unfold without relying on dialogue (unless you count Michael Lipmans “Cold, Cold Heart” playing in the background). Yet what it lacks in words, it more than makes up for in charm, creativity, and wit.

This touching animation involves a young boy seeking the best way to woo and impress his crush. With the ease of a Google search, he finds flowers, chocolates, and an entire array of interesting goods to supposedly win her over. Each new gift gets more and more extreme, but it seems as though the more he tries, the more she ignores him.

According to Google Designer Willie Real, co-creator of Google Valentine Doodle, “That was every girl I met up until college . . .The little girl who couldn’t see the magic within [me] – she had many faces.”

By the end of the animation, the boy gives up and simply decides to join her by jump-roping – which consequently, wins her affection. The overall clip is short and to the point, leaving behind the notion that not even a Google keyword search can navigate the mysteries of the heart.

Google may have a soft-spot for romantic gestures, but by the final montage of unusual couplings was specifically chosen to include all types of love – creating a little political tension beneath the seemingly innocent clip.

Easily offended citizens throughout American cracked down on the brief image of the gay couple holding hands, criticizing Google for advocating gay marriage. According to Josh Wolford at Web Pro News, “the collage itself seems to undermine Google’s Assumed Message,” and he goes on to point out that when set alongside unusual couplings such as the Princess and the Frog or Milk and Cookies, it implies that same sex couples may be interpreted as fictional.

Although the implication “likely wasn’t intentional” it brings a wide variety of scrutiny to Google’s seemingly innocent message.

Rather than nit-picking politics, can’t we just apply Google’s overall message and leave room for all kinds of love?

Learning from Leslie Lemke

The human brain is a beautiful thing. Often times we don’t appreciate its amazing abilities until something goes terribly wrong.

And then astoundingly right.

There are a select few individuals who have been blessed with some incredible gifts-photographic memories, the ability to perform complex mathematical calculations in one’s head, playing music perfectly after hearing it just once, etc. Often times the world praises this individuals for their skill and prowess, showering them with fame and fortunate.

And then there are savants.

Savants are almost super human in their area of expertise but are then limited with developmental disorders, such as autism and mental retardation. Most savants are born this way, with more skills at their fingertips than you could possibly imagine. Unfortunately, they are often at the mercy of their caretakers, a few of whom would dismiss their potential as a person and simply see the handicaps as a burden.

And then someone special comes along.

Someone who can see past the physical differences and brings out the beauty within.

Leslie Lemke

Leslie Lemke was one of these savants. Born with severe birth defects that required the removal of his eyes, Leslie Lemke was given up for adoption and was raised by May Lemke (a 52 year old nurse who had 5 other children of her own).

It took nearly seven years of force feeding before Leslie learned how to swallow. Then another year before he could chew food on his own. During this time, he never made a sound. Never showed emotion.

May Lemke didn’t see Leslie as a burden, however, but a joy. Rather than simply keeping him alive, May did everything in her power to give him the best life possible. By sheer determination and perseverance, May taught Leslie how to stand at the age of 12 then walk at the age of 15, strapping his fragile body to hers to teach him, step by agonizing step.

After years of painstaking care and love, May Lemke woke up to hear Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concert No. 1 playing in Leslie’s room. Originally, May thought she had simply left the radio on, and to her surprise, Leslie was playing the piece flawlessly. No training. No sheet music.

Leslie then began to use music as a form of communication, singing songs and playing ragtime as if those ebony keys were extensions of his fingertips.

Don’t Give Up
Beneath the deformed exterior was a heart willing to express itself, and only through compassion was Leslie Lemke eventually able to find music when words failed him.

So whether you feel lost in the dark, alone with no way to communicate, or feel as though you’re carrying a heavy burden strapped to your back, just remember Leslie and May Lemke-who persevered when the world thought it impossible.

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.” Dale Carnegie

Team Hoyt: An Inspiration

The Hoyt’s story is about sacrifice. The Hoyt’s story is about faith. The Hoyt’s story is about overcoming obstacles. Most of all, the Hoyt’s story is about love. A love so inspiring it will change your life.

Due to oxygen deprivation at the time of his birth, Rick Hoyt became a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. His parents, Dick and Judy Hoyt, were advised to institutionalize Rick because he would never recover or live a “normal” life. However, Dick and Judy had faith in their son. Soon after, Dick and Judy realized that Rick’s limitations were purely physical and Rick was in fact intelligent.

For years, Rick’s parents fought to get him into public school for a decent education to no avail. After some basic home schooling to prove his intelligence, Rick was finally admitted. During this time a group of engineers designed an interactive computer for Rick to communicate. Rick could highlight letters of the alphabet and tap with his head to spell words.

Once in school Rick excelled. After high school Rick attended Boston University and graduated with his degree in Special Education.

Years ago Rick told his father Dick he wanted to be a part of a 5-mile charity run for a local paralyzed athlete. Dick wasn’t a long-distance runner but he agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. Although they nearly finished the run in last place, Rick told his dad “when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”

For the love of his son, Dick began to train for races. Now, Dick and Rick are known as Team Hoyt. Team Hoyt has completed over 1,000 races including marathons, duathlons, and triathlons. Six of these were Ironman competitions!

Dick runs, bikes, and swims with Rick by his side with custom made equipment. Dick has hopes to run the Boston Marathon with his son this year at 70 years old.

Team Hoyt lives by the motto “yes you can!” Together, Team Hoyt educates society about people with disabilities and strongly encourages people living with disabilities to become active members of the community.

The Civility Experiment

We came across this video and had to share it. How many times have we found ourselves in this woman’s shoes? Placing judgement on a person that we hardly even know just because of outside appearance. The woman in the video even noted early on that she believed herself to be an “open-minded person” but what does this truly mean? Does it mean she accepts everyone and their differences? Because she immediately hoped that the homeless man wouldn’t steal her bicycle as he walked past. Open mindedness is a journey and one that we all should be taking. Open mindedness doesn’t mean that you don’t have morals, values, and standards of your own, but it means that you don’t turn your nose up at people who possess different opinions or ideas or lifestyles than you.