tell them...

Saturday morning I was sipping my coffee and catching up on emails and Facebook like any other day. Sitting in my inbox was something so simple yet so inspirational I've decided to share it here.

"Morning!!!
I just wanted to say that I adore you! Your spirit for the holidays and your photos make me feel good! Your lil girl is lucky to have u as her mama and all that u are doing is going to stick with her! I love seeing all the decorations cause it makes me nostalgic and I just love it and she will too now and when she's older. I know this message is out of left field but I'm a believer of telling people how u feel when u feel it. Not enough people do that."

Doesn't that just make you smile? I was so flattered and grateful and happy and proud and just absolutely shocked after reading this note. It comes from a friend of mine who I've only met a couple of times about five or six years ago. We've learned much about each other over the years based on our Facebook persona. Granted, you only get a glimpse into a person's life when you're dealing with social media. We offer what we choose to display, we hide what we wish to conceal. But I like what I know of her. She is a wonderful person, beautiful inside and out. And reading that note I've now learned that she likes what she knows of me. And the important point I'm trying to make is that she took the time to tell me.

I'm truly inspired. What a simple concept. You think something lovely about someone - so you tell them. I mean, does it get any less complicated than that? I think lovely things about people all the time, I think those things and most of the time I move on. Going forward I will take a few seconds to spread the goodness. I want to make people feel happy for no reason. This note was so out of the blue, it caught me by such surprise. I don't think we should be so surprised by pleasantries. I wish for it to become commonplace. Let's work on that, shall we?

Tell people how you feel. If you admire something about a friend, tell them. They have no idea what you are thinking about them. Give them that boost. I'm sure they deserve it and I'm sure they'll be so grateful that you took time out of your life to simply pay them a compliment. Do it. Pass it along and let it spread like wildfire.    

   

the kindness of strangers ...

Imagine receiving devastating news. News that would affect your entire family, your entire life. News that would flip your world upside-down in a single second, leaving you speechless, deflated and scared to death. News that would make you question your future, everything you thought you believed in and everything you lived your life for.

Now imagine that the only way you can overcome this heartbreaking situation is by relying on the help of others - family, friends and ultimately the kindness of strangers. Imagine the vulnerability.

I've been sharing a link on facebook repeatedly and I'm sure a few of you have seen it, some have even shared it for me (thank you). I've posted the widget on my blog page for visitors to stumble upon. I've made many pleas to my friends and family for help - and those pleas have not gone unnoticed. I'm going to ask again - PLEASE HELP MY FRIEND'S FAMILY. 

I've known Danny for most of my life. My mother tells me that we played together as children long before I realized. Danny is my godparents' nephew. He was dealt a tough hand throughout his life but none tougher than what he is dealing with right now. The love of his life, his wife Michelle, has cancer. While pregnant with their fourth child, she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and that cancer is spreading. They have now set up a second online fundraiser to raise money for Michelle's treatment. While she is away from her children seeking treatment Danny is trying to handle everything as best he can - CAN YOU IMAGINE??? The money they've raised and been given by family will only cover three weeks of treatment at the cancer center. THREE WEEKS.

I'm asking you to just think about this situation. Think about the deep love that you have for your family - your parents, your husband, your wife, your children. Think about how Michelle's children need their mother. How Danny needs his wife. How YOU can help them. Even if you have five or ten dollars to spare. If you have a thousand dollars collecting dust, just waiting for a rainy day... this could be that rainy day. PLEASE help. You can click here to donate or do so through the link at the top of my page. Please donate. Please share this with everyone you know. Thank you.

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