Tag Archives: loss

Thank Granted

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Thank Granted

Nov10-4First things first – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!  Thanksgiving is the perfect time to surround yourself with family and friends and to give thanks for all of the blessings that you have received.  It’s always easy to give thanks for the new house that we’ve purchased.  It’s a given to praise our new relationship, engagement ring or sacred wedding vows.  Oh, and don’t forget the celebrations of a new born child or a full-time job.

However, Thanksgiving is not a happy time for all people.  Just ask the person whose parent just passed away.  Speak to the person who was told their cancer has come back.  What about the person that has been without a job for over a year and just wishes someone/anyone would give him/her a chance?

During Thanksgiving we always seem to focus on celebrating the BIG things in our lives. But when do we take the time to celebrate those small (yet equally important) things that we so often take for granted?  This holiday season, try to leave some time to remember and give thanks to the valuable lessons you have learned.  Maybe you feel fortunate for the sweet potato casserole recipe you grandmother taught you how to make.  Perhaps it’s the fact that your next door neighbor always says hello in the morning as you head to work. Or what about your favorite artist or author coming out with a new CD or book?   How about being thankful that you have two hours every Sunday afternoon to do nothing but relax?!

Regardless of your situation, just know that there are blessings all around you.  If you can walk, see and speak – you’re more fortunate than someone else.  If you have at least one friend that truly cares, you’re doing well.  If there is some type of food on your table, your meal is a success.  We all have times of trials and times of tribulations.  If you’re currently at a low in your life, make sure you still celebrate the successes of those around you.  Because, when your story changes and things start working out for the better, you’ll want those same people to be cheering for you.  You are important. You are wonderful.  You are valued.  Thank you for being a part of the OnyxLouisville community.  I appreciate you!

M.Y. November 2010

Have You Hugged Your Child Today?

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“Have You Hugged Your Child Today?”

July08-5Woman #1: You’re 26 years old and enjoying the joys of being a new mother.  You’ve also had a successful second year of teaching middle school and know that in less than a week you’ll celebrate your first Mother’s Day.  Then the principal comes to your classroom to tell you that something has happened to your baby at daycare and he is on the way by ambulance to the hospital.  And, in less than an hour, you’ve lost your joy.

Woman #2: You take pride in seeing your three grown children becoming wonderful adults.  You now have several grandchildren and couldn’t be more proud.  Although some of your kids have moved away, you still talk to them all regularly.  It’s a typical Sunday, until you received the call.  You middle child, age 32, was killed in a motorcycle accident in California.  His wife and four kids are at a loss.  So are you.
Woman #3:  Your kids are your heart.  It’s very rare that people see you without your 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter.  You want them to get more involved in activities.  Your daughter decides to play t-ball.  Her two year old brother loves to go to the games and watch.  As she takes a practice swing, he runs up behind her.  The bat accidently hits him in the chest and he never recovers.  This isn’t the way life was supposed to happen.
Unfortunately, these are all real Louisville mothers who have buried their children this year.  It’s hard when you watch these situations on the news, but when you see firsthand the people affected by these tragedies, it takes a major toll.  Each of these women personally affected my life and I know they are not the only ones with these experiences.  Even though I do not have children of my own, it makes me hope that we will all take time to appreciate our children.  So many people assume their children will watch them grow old (and hopefully not put them in a nursing home!).  However, we are unfortunately seeing that some of our children will not live to see that day.  Whether you have a strong, non-existent, or typical relationship with your children, take some time today to let them know how much you care and how proud you are of them.   Children, whether 9 months or 79 years old, can never hear that enough.  You’re never too young or old to hear someone say “I LOVE YOU!”

M.Y.  July 2008