The Meaning of The Season

I wrote a post about not letting people take away the true meaning of Christmas, and tonight, on Yahoo news I came across this story about secret santas. This was EXACTLY the kind of thing I was referring to when I said we could all give of ourselves this holiday season. We might not have $100 bills to hand out, but as the article points out we can give a kind word, make a small gesture and simply pass on some hope to someone who needs it. I felt better about our world when reading this article and I hope it will inspire others to do what they can for others, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. I can't tell you how many times in my own life someone has done something for me that helped me see God's love, right at the moment I needed it. I try to return the favor whenever I can. One by one, we have the power to make this a better world. We can't solve all the problems, but we can learn to look at one another as friends, neighbors and brothers, and once we do that, we cannot look away from the problems. It's the first step. . .

Trying to Get The Feeling Again!

I'm sitting here, thinking about all that has happened this weekend - the terrorist attacks in India, the trampling death of a man about 15 mins. away from my house at a K-Mart as he tried to open the doors for "black Friday shoppers", and I am wondering if I can find the Christmas spirit. What's going on with people? We've stopped seeing other human beings, as people, others have become things that stand in our way, our way of getting a good buy, our way of saying how everyone else should live or believe. . .

I pray for all the souls who were murdered in India, for those injured and for the friends and families of all the victims. I even pray for the terrorists, which I know some of you will hate, but you see we are all made in God's image, so it HIS place to pass judgment, not mine. Of course I hate their actions, and I won't even try to defend them, but I don't get to know what happens, only God does.

I'm reminded of how things felt here after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. How scared we all were, how for a brief time we all pulled together as one. I had hoped it would last longer than it did, I hope it will for India.

Christmas is coming, the day, that if you are a Christian changes everything. I can't and I won't let that be taken from me. There is too much good in the world to let the bad and evil win. I hope that we will all remember as we head into these holidays that they aren't about gifts, parties and food, not that you can't celebrate with those things - but you shouldn't allow those things to start to mean more than what Christmas does.

In these desperate economic times, look into your heart and see what you are capable of this season. Can you afford to help a charity out, whether it is financially or with your time? Can you afford not to? None of us makes it on our own, we all have help and support from someone. We have the chance to be that someone, that is a gift and a blessing. Share yourself this holiday season, you won't regret it. You'll never give without receiving!

Bring on the Kleenex

Okay first I have to admit, I wasn't planning to post today. I am not feeling well and I thought, so I'll skip a day, it'll be alright. It isn't like what I have to say changes the world or anything! Then I was reading posts on BlogBlast For Peace, and since I am a new to the blogosphere I didn't know about this and felt intimidated. Another reason to sit the day out.

Then I got a phone call that changed everything. I haven't posted about this before so I need to give you some background information. I am the youngest of four children. My oldest brother, Bob, who is 51 yrs.old, has always been my "big" brother. He was the one who looked after me when I was younger, who chased the wrong kid down the block and threatened to kill him for slapping me so hard he left a hand print on my back when I was 8 years old. He helped me through our parents divorce, my teen years and first starting out on my own. He didn't always like all my choices, but he had my back and I knew it.

This January, while I was going through the battle of my life health-wise, and mom and I were basically homeless trying to get re-established here in New York with doctors, a place to live, etc. . my big brother suffered a heart attack. His wife, knowing we had a lot going on didn't call right away. They told her he was going to be fine, they put a stent in and he would be home by the weekend, they'd call us then. But he wasn't fine. He developed something called A.R.D.S. (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and lapsed into a coma before we even knew what had happened.

It would be over five months before he battled his way out of that coma. The doctors and nurses weren't hopeful he'd make it, even less that he recover to any degree if he did. He was on a ventilator, dialysis, feeding tubes and was paralyzed for his own protection. When we visited he had so much equipment hooked up it was hard to find a place you could touch him. He was bloated beyond recognition from the medications and the infections.

My brother is a wonderful husband and father to two boys, one who finished his senior year during all of this, and the other who is in middle school. His wife spent the first 6 months traveling over 2 hours each way everyday no matter the weather to be there with him. She never gave up hope, no matter how heartless or cruel the staff at the hospital or rehabilitation facility were. Mom and I went to visit as often as health would allow, usually every other day. It was grueling and painful.

Finally, about a week after Easter he woke up from the coma. He couldn't speak, eat, move and had no idea what had happened, but he was back. Eventually he was moved to a rehabilitation facility closer to his wife and kids, where he has remained since early June.

This afternoon the phone rang and it turned out to be my brother (we have never been able to speak with him on the phone, he couldn't hold it or dial it!). He will be going home in a few weeks!!! He won't ever be the way he was before all this happened, BUT HE IS GOING HOME!! My big brother will finally get to be with his wife and kids, back in the home they have built for 27 years together, through the good and the bad.

My very good friend, who also happens to be a priest, says there is no such thing as coincidence, that coincidence is merely God choosing to remain in the background. Well, thank you God for using BlogBlast For Peace to bring Bob home! I ask for everyone who reads this to please pray for my brother and for his family, they have a long road ahead of them. They have financial problems beyond telling, physical hurdles and adjustments we can't even know of yet--but Bob is not only alive, he is well and my heart is filled with joy and yes, PEACE!