A time for Thanks Giving!
She said to me; "Sis, I have received so much. People have given me and my family so much support that I wonder, even worry, how am I going to ever repay this level of generosity."
In my Sister's story, we found the answer, and the blessing, of this season.
It was a on a Friday that my Sister first heard those scary words "it is cancer". On Monday she saw the oncologist for the first time, on Tuesday she had a CT scan, on Wednesday she was told it was stage IV, and by the next Monday she would begin her first round of chemo.
My Sister was diagnosed with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in June 2009. Her treatment in the last year plus began with rounds of chemo, surgery, and two stem cell transplants, in the hopes of providing her many years of cancer-free living. While very difficult to get through, the two stem-cell transplants went well.
After the first transplant, the tests could not detect any cancer, and post 100 days of the second treatment, we all anticipated good news. It was a shock to hear that the cancer remained. More chemo this past summer, more tough news and now a clinical trial at MD Anderson in Houston just gave us a bit of good news.
How does a family with three young and very active kids manage when Mom is sick? With love, prayers, and with powerful, amazing girlfriends who jump into action, and in the process, engage a whole community.
It began with a simple phone call made by Moms everywhere; can you cover a ride to....Yes, what's going on, etc? Before we could blink, three girlfriends created "Hartman Help," a shared calendar to coordinate support. There were meals delivered; rides coordinated; a "magic laundry basket" that appeared; cards with words of encouragement; and so much more. A few girlfriends, caring for a friend, grew to a community coming together to help a neighbor. Each and every contribution made life better, and allowed my sister time to focus on her treatment, recovery, and family activities.
How do you repay so much?
This Thanksgiving, we count our endless blessings, not our troubles. We give thanks for all the love and support we have received, the lessons we have learned, the memories we have made. When you are the one on the receiving end, it can be overwhelming. This is our time to learn to receive love and generosity openly. Then, when we have the opportunity to give back, do so.
When we come together, one small gift is multiplied. We repay the generosity of what we have received by just doing what we can, when we can, however we can -- Big or Small.
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Mother Teresa
So, in this season of Thanks Giving, my whole family begins our list of blessings by acknowledging our gratitude for the girlfriends and community of Marietta/Roswell, GA for all the blessings we have received. |
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Barbara Newton, CPC, ELI-MPCertified Professional Coach, Energy Leadership Index™ Master Practitioner fullcirclescoaching.com 617-306-5494 [email protected]
For All Life Brings, Bring it Full Circle� |
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Copyright 2009-2010 Full Circles Coaching, LLC
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When I count my troubles I always come to the endof a list, when I count my blessings, the list never ends." Coach Barb
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It is up to each of us to find our Passions, our Playgrounds, our Plan, and our Purpose -- To Play our Own Game.
Explore the power of Gratitude -Being conscious of your thoughts and shifting your focus changes your emotions. Shifting your focus to what you are thankful for leads your energy away from apathy or anger, and into action.
Acknowledge your circumstances and actions of the day and then shift and acknowledge your blessings to lead your life joyfully.
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Thanks for following my musings, and as always, I welcome your comments. If you found the message had some truth for you, I invite you to share the Newsletter with your friends.
When we share our thoughts, we continue to grow
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This month's reading:
"50 is the New Fifty"
As found in "50 is the New Fifty" - (Unknown Source as circulated on the internet)
"My Mom told me this in so many words. I sat drinking iced tea and visiting with my mother, when she said, 'Don't ever forget your girlfriends, because no matter how much you love your husband, you are still going to need your girlfriends. Remember to go places with them now and again, even if you don't want to. And remember that girlfriends include sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, not just friends - women supporting and relating to other women is our gift and our responsibility to each other.' What a strange bit of advice, I thought, (back when) I was newly married and not some young girl who needed her friends. I did listen though, and stayed in touch with my girlfriends and found new friends along the way. And as the years tumbled by, I came to fully understand that Mom really knew what she was talking about!"
Thanks to my Girlfriends; the one I have known for years & my new girlfriends. You are always on my gratitude list.
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