We all have people in our lives that motivate and encourage us. We have seven wonderful children and they are all motivators and encouragers to others. If you had told me that our second child (born with learning disabilities and epilepsy) would touch so many people, I probably would have dismissed the idea. How could that be?

Leanne just finished her 100th jigsaw picture puzzle on Jan. 5, 2012. She started putting puzzles together in 2007. She has a unique way of sorting out the pieces. She sorts them by color and arranges them on pieces of cardboard. Her husband, Rocky, sometimes helps her when he is not working at the Old Country Buffet.

We thought putting picture puzzles together would be good exercise to stimulate her brain. She had brain surgery in April 2008 — they removed a portion of her brain that was triggering the seizures.  She has been seizure free since then. Praise God! And thank you, Dr. Vossler.

Leanne’s father glues the puzzles, frames them and then takes a picture so she can put it in her picture album. She has given framed puzzles to members of her family, local businesses (e.g., UPS store in Federal Way), friends and neighbors. The walls of Leanne and Rocky’s “play room” are covered with framed puzzles.

How many of us are willing to stick with a project until we get all the pieces put together? She will be honored with a party. What is strange is that it is just a few weeks before her birthday, which is Feb. 14, and she turns 58. You’ll know her by her smile and watch out — she’s a hugger.  She is blessed to be a blessing.

Charlotte Jennings, Federal Way