Columnist has been source of inspiration

Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoy Harvey MacKay's weekly article in your Sunday newspaper. I am a 15-year-old Sandpoint High student, and I met Harvey Mackay this summer when I was in Minneapolis competing at the Junior Olympic National Volleyball tournament.

My dad knew him from growing up on the same lake in Minnesota. Harvey took great interest in hearing about our volleyball team and, soon after I returned home to Idaho, I received a surprise package containing three of his books, two of which made the top 15 New York Times best selling motivational books of all time. I had no idea that I was in the presence of motivational royalty. I have since read more about him, and have come to learn that some very famous people sing his praises, including Billy Graham, Gerald Ford, Ted Koppel, Robert Redford, Gloria Steinem, Charles Schwab, Larry King, and Donald Trump.

Norman Vincent Peale has been quoted saying that Harvey Mackay is one of the greatest motivational writers of our time. I know that he has been lately for me.

Since I met him, I look forward to the weekly article in your paper. This summer when I found myself losing steam on some honors course reading, or just lately struggling through the grueling boot camp of "daily doubles" for fall volleyball season, I get inspired when I read his weekly wisdom.

I hope to continue seeing his advice in your paper. I have told some of my friends and teammates about this great resource, too.

MADELINE EMMER

Sandpoint