For "Thanks and Giving"

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. It seems to go by in a flash. Each year the seasons go faster in faster. I don’t know how people who live in climates that are the same year round do it. I would be totally confused. The changing weather and the holidays marked on my calendar force me to acknowledge that time is passing and to sit up and pay attention.

For us New Yorkers we recently got a serious wake-up call. Hurricane Sandy blew in and took with her many homes, personal belongs, and even more tragic- lives. I believe that since we are not accustom to hurricanes actually making land fall and doing damage the reality was even worse. Having to acknowledge that the repercussions would last months and not days was a hard pill to swallow. I am very lucky to have had power and shelter throughout the storm and I am well aware of how grateful I should be (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html). I have family members and friends who were not so lucky. Some who even came closer than I like to think about to actually losing their lives. It is unimaginable even now.

While that storm was only a few weeks ago, with the Thanksgiving holiday upon us I feel it is even more appropriate to stop and reflect and appreciate not only the good in our lives but also see how we can help others. Don’t misunderstand me; I do my share of complaining, sometimes all day long. Then I will see a commercial or hear a story, or remember a person I love who is struggling and I stop. I have to remind myself that what we usually consider to be “problems” are not. I always feel better when I am giving to those who need and this is the best season for this reason.

It is also the season for one of my all time favorite campaigns. I can hear Marlo Thomas’s (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/03/for-that-girl-marlo-thomas.html) voice inside my head right now: “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not.” If that doesn’t make you well up with tears nothing will. This brilliant idea allows customers who shop where they see the St. Jude magnifying glass logo, to give to this research hospital without doing anything extra. A percentage of every purchase of that kind goes directly to this facility. As of January 30, 2012 this initiative raised $64 million with the support of stores like Old Navy, CVS, Kmart, Kay Jewelers, and several others. It is an amazing feet.

Now with social media following this trend the expectations are sure to grow. St. Jude is the only children’s hospital that accepts families no matter their inability to pay. Each child gets assigned a doctor and a scientist. They are consistently working towards a cure and remission. I could go on and on. This is a cause that everyone can support and I encourage everyone to at least when doing your holiday shopping this year, look for that magnifying glass. It will illuminate your heart’s generosity and our world’s determination, which as founder Danny Thomas famously said, “No child should die in the dawn of life.”

For more information on St. Jude and how you can help:

http://www.tg.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3e2196c6b8e0a310VgnVCM100000290115acRCRD&sc_icid=spottghometng&tngsourcecode=THWSJHPDO13