Tag Archives: gratitude

A Lot Can Happen In A Year

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If the truth is known, I have no idea even where to start. I came to realize it has been a long time since I have shared here on this page. Too long. Over a year. As such, I also know it’s not wisdom to make some promise to write every day, or heck – even every week.  Though I might do that, I reserve the right to also say that I might not.  What I do know is that I have missed sharing life with you.  So, as such, I want to share where things are right now. This may not be a very long post today.

For those of you unaware, my life and my family’s lives were thrown upside down about this same time, three years ago. We were notified that our little Janet (then 4 years old) had an aggressive brain tumor.  Three years ago, our lives changed. For three years, she courageously fought a disease that would eventually claim her life.  Yes, her life. At 7 years old, my little girl breathed her last breath this side of Heaven. She passed away February 13, 2016 – just over two short but excruciating long months ago.

Truth be told, much of the previous year was dedicated to fighting childhood cancer alongside her. Now that she is gone, that fight is far from over. I proudly stand with others who are fighting, rejoice with those who have finished treatment and live to share their stories, remember the heroes who have their ultimate and eternal healing, and pray for all who stand beside them. None who walk this path are alone. This is a fight that I continue to fight – not just because my daughter died – but also to help ensure other families do not have to walk this same heartbreak.

If you have played a part in our journey – whether small or huge – know that you are greatly appreciated. Please continue to share your love and support – your thoughts and your prayers. They sincerely mean so much.

 

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With Heartfelt Gratitude – Introducing Shiloh Chiropractic

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Normally,  you won’t find me spotlighting a particular company or business.  The truth of the matter is this – Shiloh Chiropractic is so much more than just a business.  Once you take the time to get to know them, you’ll soon realize they are more like a happy (with a hint of crazy) family. They are so much more than a doctors office or any medical practice. They are real people with lives, families and hearts of gold.  Let me tell you a little but about how we came to know and love these people.

If you have read my blog before, you have undoubtedly heard at some point that I have a for year old daughter who is fighting a rare and aggressive cancer. During our hospital stay after her brain surgery, we were introduced to Make A Wish. That was a defining moment in this journey. Her diagnosis became very real right then and there. Of course, it was already much more real than we card to think about. However, to hear you’re child is qualified for Make A Wish just kinda does something inside you. Without dwelling on that though, I’d like to share a bit about how this process has become so much easier to walk through and deal with.

As our family meet with the team of wish granters, the process unfolded in a way that we were totally at peace. The team explained that one of them had been a part of this one chiropractors office that had recently sponsored a child with Make A Wish. In fact, the office had voice the desire to reach out and share hope in a real way with another child. They were seeking to bless another wish kid. They asked if we’d be interested in meeting the office to see if we wanted them to help with Janet’s wish. Absolutely. The next day we met the office staff that would become very much a part of our lives.

We met them, and instantly felt at ease, and at peace. These were people we could tell cared. They cared not only about Janet, but also about our whole family. They have truly connected with Janet, and with all of our family. They are sponsoring her dream to become a princess and meet princesses at Disney World. They will help that dream become a reality for her. While we are absolutely grateful for that, we have hearts of gratitude for many more reasons. They have not only become Janet’s sponsor, but also chiropractic care as well.

The funny thing is, is I wasn’t actively seeking chiropractic care for me. I had looked around previously, but never really felt comfortable or like it was time to start it again. I say again because I know the value and benefit of chiropractic care – even though it had been over a decade since I’d had that. I now know why I never connected with another office here locally. It was for such a time as this. I have always said that things sometimes just happen in their own timing, in the right timing, and for a purpose. There is always a purpose.

As unsure of a journey we are now walking, there are things in our lives that absolutely make the journey not only bearable, but peaceful. Truth be told, this office is that for us. They are helping Janet’s wish become a reality, but also helping in so many other ways.

I’d like to dive in and take a look at the office staff that makes up Shiloh Chiropractic. From each doctor, down to every single member of the staff, these people are awesome. They operate with care and compassion, and have flexibility as well. (A characteristic we’ve come to value much in recent history!) I mentioned this before, but they absolutely do have hearts of gold. They care about each individual who walks through their doors. I can honestly say – from my own experience, and from talking to other patients while in the office – they have a welcoming atmosphere that promotes the ability to rest, relax and rejuvenate – to be like an oasis. I feel like a welcomed guest, not just a number in some records somewhere that walks in. They seem to genuinely care about what they do, and about people – and it shows. They ask how you are doing, or how your day is going – and they care enough to listen to your reply. They give you the time you need, while also being there for many other patients through the course of the day.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I say thank you to all of Shiloh Chiropractic for being who they are, and for all they do. We are sincerely grateful.

Don’t Allow Life To Become Too Busy

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Is your life hectic – a day to day compilation of so many things life throws at you?  Do you often feel like there simply aren’t enough hours in any given day? Yes, me too!  You’re certainly not alone.  What I’d like to do here today is challenge how you handle this situation in your own life.

I’d like to encourage (more like implore) you to slow down.  Learn to take joy in things again. Make the most of however many moments you’re given. Take time to just enjoy life.  No matter what your story is, or what journey you’re walking, take the time to find the good.  Celebrate it.  Make it last.  Treasure the memory.

To those of you new to my blog, welcome.  Please allow me to share a little bit about my story, and why this is so heavy on my heart.

My four year old daughter is currently fighting a rare and aggressive cancer. We honestly do not know what the future holds, though we proclaim by faith that she is healed and is (and remains) completely cancer free.  She had a brain tumor surgically removed, and has had six weeks of daily radiation therapy and will be starting chemo this week.  I do not share that with you to beg for sympathy,  but instead to share my thoughts – and the validity of why I’m saying what I do.

Having a critically ill child has had quite an impact on our family.  It hasn’t all been negative though.  Please don’t think that I’m saying I’m happy with a brain tumor/cancer diagnosis with my child.  Far from it.  However, I have been able to take a step back and realize that good can be found in the midst of any storm, this included.

What I’d further like to share are my convicting thoughts here.  It shouldn’t take something of this magnitude to make you (collective you, with myself in mind) appreciate life.  It shouldn’t take a bald little girl with a smile that melts your heart to make you realize just how precious life truly is.  Take time to enjoy life, and don’t allow yourself to become so busy that you don’t enjoy life.  Let those who you love know it.  Tell them.  Hug them.  Spend time with them as you’re able.  Make time. Love like tomorrow won’t come. Have fun. Be you and allow others to be themselves.  Be authentic.

If you take nothing else away from my words here today, take this thought with you: life is precious. Make the most of it. You never truly know when tomorrow may not come. Live life.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – ON HOLD

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I just want to let everyone know I’m still here.  I do have much to be thankful for in life, but my heart isn’t in writing this “365 Moments” segment every day right now. I know I will do it again, but right now I have to simply collect my thoughts, and take care of my family.

I will post an update hopefully here soon.  In the mean time, I want you each to know how very much I value your friendship, and especially your prayers.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Heavy Bag Series: The Heavy Bag Of Grief

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Right now, Skyline Church is in the midst of a series entitled “Heavy Bag.” This series is in place to discuss all the heavy things we all face. The timing of this particular message was absolutely God inspired for me, and – I’m sure – for countless others. Today, Pastor Lance spoke about the Heavy Bag of Grief. At some point in your life, you can probably relate to the feelings of grief. I know I can. Especially this week. I have experienced loss on several levels, and I can tell you this message really hit home.

If you have lost someone, said goodbye too early, or are just hurting in ways hard to put into words – this is for you. I encourage you to watch it, and allow the words to share hope.

I am grateful for this series.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Gift Of Friendship

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Today, as many other days, I find myself grateful for friendship. As my best friend has lost her brother, I am grateful for a friendship that has spanned multiple decades now. I realize just how important friends are. This is one of the darkest times for her, and her family. It breaks my heart. That’s the thing about friends. Friends hurt together. My heart is broken, missing a very special person – and it’s broken — just knowing how much she is hurting. The point of this is not to talk about all this pain – but rather shine a bright light on the value of friendship.

It is a friend who will hold your hand, who will tell you it’s okay to cry, to make sure you know it’s also okay to not be okay — in the midst of what may seem like the darkest day you know. A friend is someone who knows you inside and out, and loves you still the same. A friend may not always agree with you, but won’t hesitate to tell you the truth, in love. A friend will run and play with you during the great times, and will not hesitate to be there with you in the troublesome times either.

I am just so very grateful for the gift of friendship today.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To Have Known Him

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Here is a fair warning to those of you reading. Today’s post will be personal in nature, and not bright and cheery. It is, however, life. Life is unpredictable, and life carries no guarantees. Today I got a very sad telephone call, and it has caused much reflection on my part.

You see, my best friend (spanning decades now) sent me a message to let me know that they had bad shocking news, and that I needed to call. I know her well enough to know this was bad. My heart was heavy. So, I picked up the phone and called, and learned that my lifelong friend – that her brother unexpectedly passed away this morning.

While there is no part of me thankful for his passing, I AM ever so grateful to have known him. George was a unique soul. He was fun, twisted even. He had such a warped sense of humor. He was one those people who always had some new or ingenious way of putting a smile on your face. Growing up, we very much enjoyed picking on him, playing jokes, and just generally being silly. He was a silly human being, turned into a daddy, and also a husband. He knew the meaning of love, and loved his family like no tomorrow. While he always enjoyed being unique, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family and friends. His passing away took everyone by total and complete surprise. He had just celebrated his 42nd birthday. My heart breaks with my best friend, and her entire family. Today we said goodbye far too soon to a friend, a brother, a daddy, a husband, and a son – an amazing person we all knew as George.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my friend today. As I mentioned, it breaks my heart that he is gone, but definitely thankful to have known him.

For those of you reading, if you have lost someone close to you – know that my heart goes out to you. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you, or to talk about your loved one. Please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message via my “contact me” page. I look forward to connecting with you.

Also, I’d like to take this moment to encourage you to do something I hope you already do regularly. Hug your loved ones. Tell them how much you care and love them. Never go to bed angry, and love like there is no tomorrow. For some, that is all too true. Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee. Live and love.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Kind And Compassionate Dentists

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Yes, two “dentist” posts in one week. This one is different from earlier this week. Today, I am just grateful to and for a new (pediatric) dentist. My youngest needed to see a pediatric dentist because her current dentist simply wasn’t comfortable working on her. She’s small, and needs some dental work. Nothing major, but he basically didn’t want to hurt her. I could tell that he didn’t want her to not like dentists because of him. Truth be told, I am grateful for his honesty. That said, one referral he gave us was a great match. We were greeted with a very pleasant office staff who made my little one feel important. They took the time to be nice to her, and to make her (and of course me) feel welcomed. She had no issues or fear related to the dentist going there, but that visit strengthened her idea that they were there to help her, and that they were nice people. I’m grateful for medical professionals that take their jobs to heart and care about what they do. Thankful today for kind and compassionate dentists, and their friendly office staff.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Whole Hearts Foundation

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Today, I am thankful for Whole Hearts Foundation. From their website:

Their mission is

to share God’s love by providing education, support, connections and innovation of families of a child living with pediatric congenital heart disease – without boundaries of faith, culture or economic standing.

Also, from their website, a little bit of background on their founder, and what led him to start Whole Hearts Foundation:

Whole Hearts Foundation was established by Matt Hammitt, lead singer with the Christian rock band Sanctus Real, whose son Bowen was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) in 2010. “Because we’ve had the experience ourselves, we understand the practical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs these families have. Whole Hearts Foundation is dedicated to assisting these families, and these hospitals that provide the life-saving care to our children. We have a huge vision for the foundation and supporting families in their local community.”

Because of Whole Hearts Foundation, I have been able to connect precious little children needing prayer with resources readily available to them through Whole Hearts. What I have found is that people need to know they aren’t alone – even in struggles as painful and heartbreaking as watching a child struggle with congenital heart disease. It’s not an easy road, but it’s one no one needs to walk alone.

Today Whole Hearts is in my thoughts because something pretty amazing happened this evening. In a small group of less than twenty people, there were four people in the room who had very real life experiences with congenital heart disease (CHD), all of which were specifically HLHS. While it broke my heart to think about, it made me so grateful to be armed with the knowledge about CHD – and to see people sharing their own stories of hope and inspiration in the face of heartbreak and triumph as well. “Heart” families never cease to amaze me. Their strength, though it may not always appear as such, is phenomenal. To watch them support one another through the midst of sometimes pure chaos is something not many people can even begin to understand.

This evening, I am grateful for Whole Hearts Foundation, and for all the ways they strengthen “heart” families, and those who support and love them.

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Appointments And Cancellations

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This morning was pretty interesting. I was taking my oldest to the dentist for a checkup and to check on some pain he was having. As we sat there, a nice and sweet tech came in and asked if I wanted to be seen as well – since I was due a checkup as well. Well, how exciting. They could fit me in. That said, I went ahead and got my teeth cleaned and my six month checkup. Would you believe it, but before the end of my appointment, another tech comes in and mentions having a cancellation or two this very afternoon. As luck would have it, it seems the other lucky recipients in my family would now also get the opportunity to get their teeth cleaned. One appointment turned into four – all by the end of the afternoon. Hey, whatever works. It’s now out of the way – for the most part – for six more months. It was good to be able to make it all work out.

So, yes, today I am thankful for whatever cancellations happened that allowed for us to all get our appointments in, all in one day.