photo by www.juliekhoury.com
No matter how stressful things have been for us this year … with a major flood in our home and several financial woes, I am SO thankful for our many blessings.
It can be so easy to get bogged down in the negative. To feel like the universe is against us. But the true gift is looking past the bad and seeing the beauty.
I have a kind and very loving and supportive husband John.—–>
I have two smart and super affectionate children Ronin & Ellie—->
We have a beautiful support system of loving extended family and friends.
We have a comfortable and warm home.
We have homeowners insurance that got us through the flood restoration with only moderate expense and aggravation to us, and we now have mostly new floors!
And we all have our health. I am so grateful we are healthy.
That is A LOT of great gifts.
So I wanted to give back to the universe this year because I really am so thankful for what we have in our lives.
We live in the beautiful Seattle area, and Starlight Children’s Foundation Northwest is a wonderful organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness. Starlight touches the lives of more than 7,000 Northwest families each month.
Via Starlight, you can organize your own toy drive to benefit Starlight families or adopt a specific family for the holidays. My family has decided to adopt a family with a 6-year-old boy who is battling leukemia. Here is info for those of you who live in the area: holidaytoydrive2012. And if you’d like to apply to host a toy drive at your home or business or adopt a family yourself, you can apply HERE.
Starlight is a world wide organization, so if you are NOT in the Pacific Northwest, you can visit Starlight Foundation HERE to find your local office.
I’m excited because I know we will be able to do something so personal for a struggling family. And my little ones will get the experience of doing something special for a family in need. Its a great lesson in the real spirit of giving for all of us.
What are you thankful for? How do you like to give back to the universe for your blessings?
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motherunadorned
motherunadorned
motherunadorned
motherunadorned
Twitter: DontSpkWhinese
says:
As a mother of a child who is sponsored by Starlight Children’s Foundation I want to tell you thank you, and your family, so much for not only acting on this but writing about it. All the families we have met over the years from Starlight have been appreciative and thankful. The organization has seriously changed my daughter’s life.
You rock so much.
Leila (Don’t Speak Whinese) recently posted..All the Reasons #MyFamilyRocks
Twitter: MotherUnadorned
says:
Thank you Leila! I didn’t realize you we’re sponsored by Starlight. They really are a wonderful group. I’m so happy to be able to do this!
Twitter: DontSpkWhinese
says:
My daughter is part of their great escapes and day brighteners day. They seriously go all out to make all the kids feel like rock stars. We have been to so many wonderful events and each time I leave with happy tears… and it takes a lot for me to cry!!
Leila (Don’t Speak Whinese) recently posted..All the Reasons #MyFamilyRocks
Beautiful post! I do a lot of volunteer work for Postpartum Support International, Lamaze, and for PATTCh (Prevention & Tx of Traumatic Childbirth) and am stretched thin. But my husband and I always give to two of my favoriate local child & adolescent charities at the end of the year.
Kathy Morelli, LPC (@KathyAMorelli) recently posted..Snooki – Our Jersey Girl as a Public Health Role Model?
This is so beautiful. So glad to learn about it through this post!
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..What Are You Thankful For?
It can be so easy to get bogged down by the negative (like you said)… I am thankful that when I get “bogged down” I have my family to lift me up.
Kate F. recently posted..There and Back