Be Someone's Angel

I had the opportunity to observe an earth angel.  She has been through many difficult times including being a caregiver to a disabled son.  She doesn't let that stop her from making the time and effort to help a friend.

Her co-worker had become ill and she had to enter a nursing home.  Her family have moved into her home and are using her vehicles and assets but somehow are unable to find time to visit her.  This woman was receiving inadequate care, but her family made no effort to speak on her behalf.  Her friend visits regularly, brings special food and beverages, assisted in selling her car, arranged for a notary to get necessary paperwork completed, and regularly stands up to facility staff to make sure her friend has adequate care.

She drives 25 minutes each way to visit her friend at least once a week.  Despite an age difference, this woman has become an earth angel to her former co-worker.  She is the example of someone who makes the ordinary, extraordinary.

"Life's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred."   Barbara DeAngelis

Easter

Easter is a time of celebration of life over death.  It is about emergence from depression and sadness into hope.

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome.  The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse."      Helen Keller

Helen Keller had to deal with a life without vision, hearing and ability to communicate.  She lived in a dark world until she had a teacher who could reach her with signing and touch.  Helen was an example of someone who had to "traverse dark valleys" to overcome many "limitations". She was still able to find joy and experienced "the marvelous richness of human experience".

We all experience highs and lows in our lives.  The important thing to remember is that after a low point in our lives, we know the high point will follow.  If we didn't have the difficult times of our lives, we would not appreciate the joy we experience.  We would take it for granted!  Remember to enjoy the holiday with family and friends!  Have a very happy Easter!
 

Life Decisions

I was speaking with a friend who told me about years of sexual abuse from three family members for many years.  She stated, "I had several options,"  When we face unbearable suffering and pain we do always have options.  She realized she could allow herself to sink into mental illness, choose to become an addict or alcoholic, commit suicide, sink into despair or to face her demons.  She had the courage to embrace counseling.  God sent her an angel who saw her pain through her anger at the world, and intervened to send her to a special program for children and teens who have been traumatized through sexual abuse.  This abuse is often from family members who seek to satisfy their their own twisted, sadistic sexual needs at the expense of innocent children.

I applaud her courage and am amazed at her transformation from an angry teenager, to an extremely compassionate and loving adult who struggled through unspeakable horror to immerse herself in God and offer forgiveness to her attackers. Her difficult life led her to become an educated instrument of loving counseling to lead others out of their darkness and into the spiritual light.  She chose to embrace the goodness of life and make a sympathetic, merciful, tender minister who listens with her heart.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."  Marcel Proust

Funerals and Life

I attended a funeral today for a wonderful, joyful woman who dedicated her life to God and to anyone who was privileged to meet her.  Sister Rose was known for her love for the poor, the uneducated, incarcerated, homeless, and grieving people. She loved to tell stories and there were many humorous and poignant stories told about her.  There were three different funerals for her because of the many lives she touched.

Sister Rose's funeral was a celebration of her life. Living life to the fullest makes facing death just another facet of life.  Sister Rose planned her funeral when she realized her health was declining. She faced death as she did life; with dignity, courage and peace.

We all are facing death and we never know when it will occur. We must take time to remember that we don't have a guarantee that we will have a tomorrow.  We only have each day to make our mark on the world. What kind of things will be said at our funerals?  Are we making a positive difference in the lives of those around us?

Remember:  People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel!  You have an opportunity to spend your time on this earth making people feel good about themselves because you took the time to open your heart to them!

Melting Pot

As I watched many people celebrating St. Patrick's day, I was enjoying the fact that the Irish, who immigrated to our country, have had such an impact on our lives.  There are so many countries represented by significant numbers in the United States who also have had such an impact.  We truly are a melting pot. 

 We also have citizens who were victims of slavery, brutality and involuntary relocation. Human beings were sold, separated from their families, whipped, incarcerated, hung from trees, and otherwise mistreated. These slaves, who were able to overcome many obstacles, have enriched our culture and provided inspiration for all oppressed people.  Our native Americans have a rich tradition of protection of the environment, preserving their culture and integrating their lifestyle into society.  

We need to look to our origins to understand the world today.  We need to remember that we are descendants of immigrants or enslaved or dominated individuals and families.  I hope that we can begin to empathize with current immigrants who are trying to find a safe haven for their families.  We need to think outside the box to find ways to keep out the those who commit crimes while reaching out to our fellow human beings who are fleeing war, persecution, poverty, famine, and those without hope,  A true sign of the greatness of a nation is its priority and responsibility of helping others who are suffering, helpless, disabled, homeless, starving, or living in fear.  

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged,  

sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong--because someday you will have been all of these."  Quote:  George Washington Carver

"But for the grace of God, go I."

The Life of the Party

I was in an elevator with three young women.  They all were out partying and had obviously been drinking.  Two of the girls were holding up a "friend", each holding an arm as she dragged her body and lowered her head.  The girls, about 18 years old, were laughing.  They pointed to the young lady who was so drunk she was not responding and stated, "She has never had a drink before!"

I questioned a friendship that would encourage another friend to become drunk and lethargic.  It was not at all funny to see this attractive, young girl in a stupor. I read recently in the newspaper about another beautiful, intelligent, young college freshman who was being initiated into a sorority and was encouraged to drink a huge amount of alcohol.  She became unresponsive after being left to "sleep it off" in her dorm room.  She was dead before anyone called for help.

She now has no future, her family has no daughter, sister and her friends will no longer have a relationship with her.  All because we condone alcohol consumption as a way to be accepted and feel a part of the college or party scene.

Why does alcohol have to be a central part of fun and enjoyment?  Why cant't we have fun without endangering someone or our own lives?  Why do college initiations have to be cruel and sometimes violent?

We must teach our children and vulnerable adults how to say no with pride and walk away. Nothing is so important socially that we have to risk our lives to prove we are worthwhile to a fraternity, sorority or social function?  Life should be about love, joy and peace with God, family and friends there to help us with crisis, pain, sadness and difficulties.  Let us help each other to truly live!

Saint Patrick's Day

Today I will share with you an Irish blessing!

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you. 

a moonbeam to charm you, 

a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you.  

Faithful friends near you.

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

...An Irish Blessing

I hope that your lives will be comforted and safe as you enjoy St Patrick's Day!  I wish you lots of laughter and friends!