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For Gratefulness and Giving Back

A toast to a second chance at life!!


I know this is more serious than my usual blogs, but sometimes it’s good to put all the fun stuff in perspective. The plays and the trips, all which fulfill my soul, are not the only things that matter. It’s the people you share those experiences with that matter. As Adam Lambert sings: “if I had you that would be the only thing I'd ever need, yeah if I had you, then money, fame and fortune never could compete.”

That being said, I am the luckiest woman in the world. I have seen more than my fair share of miracles. My prayers were answered even though I didn't know if there was anyone listening. I know the difference between loss and tragedy. It is one thing to lose someone you love to old age and prolonged illness. Loosing someone you care about is never easy. There will always be the hole in your life and heart from that loss.

However, it is quite another thing all together to watch someone your age, who is just beginning their journey, suddenly fall so ill they are fighting for their lives. When remembering back to the “good old days” means remembering being in college just a few years ago and now you are praying they will live long enough to dance at your wedding, meet your future children, or even be able to go to a movie again. It’s an entirely different beast.

But it is a wake-up call. The petty things we focus on no long matter. It turns out they were never important. And even when your loved one pulls through you are never quite the same. For now you know the true meaning of life, how cruel it can be, and how PRECIOUS it can be. At least that was my experience. As I fall off this wagon many times resulting in my obsessing over something trivial, I stop. I remind myself how lucky I am no matter what’s happening. And then I give back. I want to do something for someone else that gets me out of my head space and allows me to focus on something else, someone else.

I am lucky, my friend and family member made it. I am grateful for every moment, laugh, conversation, photograph, visit, and even the tough times, that I know I could have had to live without. Many people don’t get their prayers answered. So I try to be extra grateful for my blessings, especially my loved ones.

Like I said I am a lucky woman.

Even though these particular struggles have passed, I am still learning from them. So I try with every fiber of my being to remember to celebrate those I love. I do not want to take anything for granted or too seriously. I know what a real problem looks like and it’s not standing in the rain waiting for a bus that's not coming (that damn MTA never runs properly.)

I love this poem. I think it speaks for everyone and every tough time.

What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited....
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.

Marlo Thomas has a saying she uses to promote St. Jude’s charity around the holidays: “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not.” She gets me weeping every time that Marlo Thomas!! But she is right, and I am trying to live that saying.


Everyone has their own personal struggles and stories, this was mine. It is with these experiences and thoughts in mind I invite all of you to take stock of the good in your life and give to a cause close to your hearts. I know that in the coming weeks and months there are a lot of walks and charity events coming up. I thought I would give everyone a heads up so that they could plan and participate if they choose to. 

Here are some great charities and links to their upcoming events. 
Be sure to check each link as there are multiple activities for each foundation: 

What are your favorite charities and causes? Do you know of any walks or events coming up?

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