Little Reminders

Last week while at work, a woman came up to my register ready to check out. She mentions that she is splurging on herself to celebrate. I asked her what she was celebrating and on that day, just hours before, she had found out she was cancer free for the first time in 10 years. As we were talking, she also shared with me that her husband and her were celebrating their 10 year anniversary soon. She found out 2 weeks before her wedding that she had cancer. If that wasn't heart grabbing enough, she later shared with me that she was convinced for a while that she wouldn't make it to her 30th birthday, which is at the end of this year. So to celebrate, they are going on a cruise. She said, "I didn't think I would make it to 30, but I am going to be there healthy and strong!" with a big smile on her face. While the impact of just reading this text may not be the same as experiencing it in the moment, believe me when I say it was a moment I will not soon forget. I was so overcome by her story that I had to keep the tears building up in my eyes from spilling over.

A couple of months back, while at work again, a couple came in with their little 2 year old boy. What made them different than the rest, was that this little boy was in a tiny wheelchair. His mom told me that every day of his life up until that very day, he had been carried or pushed around in a stroller. They had just got his new chair that morning. Didn't press for details, but it was apparent that his legs were paralyzed. His wheelchair was all decked out- light up wheels, his name across the back of the chair and on each wheel, the works. But the thing that made him stand out the most was the pure joy on his face. He was zipping and zooming throughout the entire store- you could tell that this new freedom was exhilarating. And that little boy's joy became our joy...Every one in the store couldn't help but have a smile on their face when seeing him ride around.

I feel so honored to have been apart of these two people's extremely special days. To them I highly doubt they will remember the person who rang their purchase up while shopping that day, but they left quite an impression on me. These two occasions along with others have made me check myself and my attitude on my life, and really be thankful for my health. I am also reminded of how blessed I am to have the people in my life that I do. My family, my boyfriend, my boyfriend's family, my friends, classmates, coworkers...I am also extremely thankful to have a Father who loves me unconditionally though I fall short of His glory.

I challenge you, dear reader, to think of at least one thing and one person you are thankful for. And to challenge you even further, tell that one person you thought of that you are thankful for them and why...or just give them a simple "I really appreciate you." I am going to hold myself accountable to this and try to do this daily. Thank you for reading, I hope this woman's and little boy's story may impact you like they did me!

3 Things That Pulled On My Heart Strings....Hard.

With the Thanksgiving holiday being just a couple days away, things that we are thankful for seem to be highlighted during this time a little more than they usually would. Or maybe that's just me, but I know that until this holiday (or rather, this time of the year in general) the things I am thankful for are brought to the forefront of my mind more often. Could that be because we are reunited with the family that we may see a few times, scattered throughout the year until this time? Or because of all the commercials, cards, statuses, etc. reminding us to ponder on what we need to be thankful for? Whatever the reason, I'm going to make more of an effort to reflect on the things that I am thankful for through the entire year, and not just during the holidays. That being said, I'd like to share with you all, dear readers, three things that I witnessed that humbled me greatly, and in fact made me thankful.

Justin Bieber concert:
A few weeks ago, I was asked to take the girl I nanny every week and her friend to a Justin Bieber concert. Who would've thought I would have an experience that made me tear up? Not me. (And no, the tears were not shed because of the excitement of seeing Justin. Luckily, I've never been taken over by "Bieber Fever" ;)) After waiting until just an hour before to head to the concert, plus the traffic and trying to find a parking spot, we were rushing to make it to the show. While frantically trying to find the elevator from the parking garage to the Ford Center, we came across a mom and her daughter who seemed to be in the same boat as we were. So, we started to follow them. And while jogging to catch the open doors of the elevator, I glanced at the little girl and I noticed she had her hand up on top of her head. It wasn't until we were in the elevator that this little girl whose eyes were gleaming with excitement was holding on to her head because of the wig that wasn't securely on. As I looked a little more closely, she in fact had no eyebrows, no hair other than her wig, and seemed very frail.

Kindergarten Class:
This semester I am in a Foundations class and we were required to spend 30 hours observing and working with students. I was assigned to a kindergarten class, and like in my past classes I've spent time in, I get attached to the children very quickly. One Monday I went in, and the teacher told me that one of our students wouldn't be in the class anymore. I had been informed that this student was a foster child, and the teacher had received news that they had not only been adopted, but had been adopted into the family's home that had also adopted their brother by birth.

Child Psych:
There is an older Chinese man in my Child Psych class. He sits behind me, and has much trouble speaking and understanding the English language. I must admit, that I would find myself annoyed by his constant questions and needing help. It is hard to admit this, as I am so completely and utterly embarrassed by this behavior and my thoughts. And it wasn't until he spoke to the class with his group about secondary languages that I was crushed with a wave of guilt after he shared his personal story. He is 46 years old, came to America a few years ago with his wife and children, and he is bound determined to complete his education at our college, and provide for his family. He shared the struggles they've had with the language barrier, and how it is especially hard for his wife.

All of these experiences humbled me in a different way. How thankful and lucky am I to have never had my body contain an ounce of cancer. Causing me to every hair on my head, a small thing in the big pot of hardships cancer brings on one and their family. I have never been in a foster home, I have had the luxury of consistently having the same roof over my head and a place I could always call home. But how thankful am I that this student is being adopted into a permanent home, not to mention that they will get to be with their brother. How humbled I am after hearing my classmate's story by my inexcusable behavior and I am so thankful and inspired by his ambition.

You'll have to forgive me, this post was a long one. But if you get anything out of it, I pray that you will reexamine the life and actually look for things to be thankful for and to be humbled by them year round.

Phew!! That was kinda heavy. (For me at least) On a lighter note, I am so excited to celebrate Thanksgiving this week! Thursday we'll be headed to Cam's family "Thankmas," then Friday we'll be celebrating with my family! I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving, full of food, fun, and family!! :)