You Never Know

Tonight, I share something with a heavy heart.

Through our company’s typical mass emails, we were alerted that a dear co-worker had been diagnosed this past weekend with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Treatment starts with a fierce round of chemotherapy for the next couple of weeks, leaving him out of work. Working off commissions, that’s a bleak outlook for his wallet. 

 With the holidays right around the corner and his insurance only covering 1/3 of the hospital cost, his teenage son started a “GoFund Me” page (without telling his Dad) to help relieve some of the costs.

Ralph is an extraordinary man, full of life and love. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it, and I firmly believe it is a time to pay it forward to give back to him. If this world took the smallest interest in those around them, kindness would spread and hopefully make it back to those who need it the most.

Dear friends, I am asking you to please reach into your heart and donate (even the smallest amount helps) to this special cause. He’s a young man that has a small family and a BIG heart. He CAN BEAT this! But, to make sure that his family does not take a downward spiral, he needs YOUR HELP.

Please visit this LINK and help a family that just had their lives turned upside down. After all, kindness will always find it’s way back to the loving individual who willingly gave it away in the first place. Remember folks, any bit helps, even if it’s just sharing this post.

Ralph, if you happen to see this, know that we love and support you. You’ve been SUCH an inspiration to me these past two years, and our thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with you every step of the way.

Much love amigo.

Doing For Others

Each time I sit in that faithful pew at church, an idea that was once presented to me reawakens and my faith suddenly begins renewed. Padre Puerta is constantly pushing me to reexamine who I am, not only as a Catholic, but also as a human on this earth.

This week, he challenged me to look in the mirror and ask myself:

“What side of the Father do I sit on? And, have I TRULY deserved to sit on that side?”

You see, as the holidays come around, we tend to strive for a perfect gift, that quintessential table setting to impress those around us and set a standard of who we are and what we represent. Trips to the decorating store are made; last minute runs to the food store to make sure that recipe is perfect consume our hours. But, whom are we doing that for?

Did you remember to invite that co-worker who clearly doesn’t have anywhere to go during the holiday or make an extra plate for the homeless man that you pass every day on your way to Starbucks?

Do we give just enough of our time, talent or treasure to make sure that we are in His good graces, or do we go out of our way to make sure that we help those who are truly in need?

‘For I was HUNGRY, and you fed me.

I was THIRSTY, and you gave me a drink.

I was a STRANGER, and you invited me into your home.

I was NAKED, and you gave me clothing.

I was SICK, and you cared for me.

I was in PRISON, and you visited me.'

"Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'

And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

(Matthew 25:35-45)

During this holiday season (and for the rest of your days), reach into your heart and find that true meaning of love for others. Find the compassion that lives in each of us and do for others, especially those who may not acknowledge your help or kindness. 

 

Personally, I know that I care SO much about having my 14 foot table, not because I can entertain more, but because there are many people in my life that I feel can benefit from a home cooked meal and good company around that table.

We may not all be blood sitting sharing that meal, but that united bond will carry us through tough times and remind us that it is waiting for us whenever we need it. 

So this holiday, please look around for the love and kindness you can share within your life, even the smallest of gestures. Sometimes, those are the ones that truly mean the most.

Seeing Is Not Always Believing

 When I woke up this yesterday, I was sure the rain was a sign for me to stay in bed. What better thing to do that snuggle up to the person next to you and hear the trickle of the rain against your window, signaling you that everything in the world is indeed being taken care of at that very moment?

Well, that sting in my heart encouraged me otherwise. I gathered myself, showered and hopped in my car to a place that I had been dreading, a place that I feared, somewhere that judgment was surely to come crashing down on my head…

Church.

Simply put, I was fearful of seeing the same priest who has known me since I was five years old, saw me through my first communion, marriage counseling, married my sister and myself (just last October). I feared the look in his eyes (or was it the pity) of knowing that I was 0-2 in the marriage department.

I feared the disappointment, kind of like when you tell your parents bad news as a result of your actions. For months, I had avoided the very place that I once held sacred and dear to my heart. With the rain at my back and my shiny black boots (hey, look your best when you’re fearful, right?), I held my head high and walked into church.

There, in the movement of the music (they like to jam there) and the familiar words that I can recite in my sleep, I found peace, a sense of serenity…acceptance from a community. Today’s homily made reference to the church as a community, which had a physical front as a building, a place of worship for us to attend and feel part of a family.

We celebrated the basilicas in the world, mainly, one of the oldest standing, the rock of the Catholic faith, the Vatican in Rome, Italy. It stands as a symbol to remind Catholics (and those who chose to believe) of the family that lives, not only there, but also in every church around the world.

Even though my loves remain in Rome, whenever I go to church, I am reminded of the unity my family brings. With stormy weather that every family passes through, their love is still enough to comfort me from afar, much like that of God. I can’t see Him. I can’t hear Him. Heck, I don’t even know if He is listening when I ramble at all hours of the day, however, I feel Him.

I feel the love that surrounds me. While there is not a physical being to show me He is there, I can constantly reminded of love through my family, Shrek, the tiny kicks of joy of Baby Klima, and the amazing friends that surround me.

Faith, people. I guess yesterday’s church lesson was faith. Even though you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t working its miracles through the simple physical reminders in your day to day. Look to those when you need a little dose of love to boost your day.

After all, He is everywhere and in everything.