The hour was late; the house was quiet, my mind so full of happy memories I could not sleep. I arose to read a bit and found myself recalling the events of a day that I wanted to bronze and remember forever.
I saw twelve hungry people around our breakfast table eating my husband, Ron's, famous pancakes before they left on a tubing expedition.
I saw empty pop cans and empty serving dishes from our first BBQ of the season. We ate indoors due to the cold weather, but the burgers and dogs still tasted great. Every morsel of food was gone. Nobody goes hungry at Grandma and Grandpa's unless they want to!
I saw grandchildren putting on their coats and shoes to participate in the Easter egg hunt in our snowy yard. And I heard the squeals of delight as they found plastic eggs filled with candy and various dollar store treasures. It seemed almost like Christmas as they enjoyed books, puzzles, bubbles, beads, frisbees and slinkies. Our house was hoppin' as we gathered with seven grandchildren and their parents who had not been together in one place for a long time. The laughter, hugs, and bonding continued until about 10 PM when most of them left because they had to work the next day.
Just when I thought things could not get any better, we received the text that our eighth grandchild had just been born. Tristan Robert Bernard became the newest member of this wonderful family clan.
As I sat there alone in the wee hours of the morning, I remembered that just over four years ago I had my Cancer surgery. If it wasn't for advanced medical technology, lots of support and Heavenly help, I could have missed this wonderful day and the memories we made.
I took a deep breath, looked around at the Easter baskets, scattered toys and the rest of the tell tale clutter. How grateful I am to have turned 60 this past January with my health in tact, a job I love, and a growing family to enjoy. I got up, turned off the light and went back to bed. There, with plenty of new memories to hold close to my heart, I dropped off into peaceful slumber.
-Kathy Christensen
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
THE LIFTING HEARTS CHALLENGE!
Since February is known as the month of “love,” we would like to invite you to participate with us in the Lifting Hearts Challenge. Here is the challenge: During the month of February, spread a little love to those around you and be good to yourself. Below is a list of ideas to help you on your way. Every day in February, pick one new thing from the list and then do it -- or use your own ideas. Have fun!
Just for today . . .
1. Smile more than you did yesterday.
2. Call a friend you haven’t talked to for a long time.
3. Mend a quarrel.
4. Compliment someone.
5. Post a joke on facebook.
6. Plan a romantic date for your husband or significant other.
7. Keep a gratitude journal for a month. Each day, write ten things you are grateful for.
8. Do a secret act of kindness for a family member.
9. Take a treat to a neighbor.
10. Say “I love you” to a family member.
11. Share a lot of hugs with those you love.
12. Take a friend out to lunch.
13. Write a thank you note to a health care provider that has helped you on your cancer journey.
14. Pray for someone that is hard to love.
15. Make a special effort to notice the good things in your life.
16. Email a funny story to ten friends.
17. Make it a point to thank those around you for the things they do for you.
18. Remember that if you started the day in a bad mood, you have the power to change it.
19. Take some time just for you.
20. Listen and be nonjudgmental.
21. Read a story to a child.
22. Listen to music that makes you happy.
23. Do something kind for someone that has offended you.
24. Set a goal you can accomplish in one day and then do it!
25. Read something uplifting when you are feeling down.
26. Make a special treat or dinner for your family.
27. Eat chocolate! Okay, you can share some too!
28. Put love notes in your husband’s and kid’s sack lunches.
29. If you wake up with a lot of aches and pains, just keep trying; that’s good enough.
30. Thank God for the gift of life.
We hope you know how much we love you! We wish you a lot of love and laughter this coming year.
Love from the Lifting Hearts Board,
Kara, Bethanie, Colette, Kristin, Beth, Diane & RuthAnn
Just for today . . .
1. Smile more than you did yesterday.
2. Call a friend you haven’t talked to for a long time.
3. Mend a quarrel.
4. Compliment someone.
5. Post a joke on facebook.
6. Plan a romantic date for your husband or significant other.
7. Keep a gratitude journal for a month. Each day, write ten things you are grateful for.
8. Do a secret act of kindness for a family member.
9. Take a treat to a neighbor.
10. Say “I love you” to a family member.
11. Share a lot of hugs with those you love.
12. Take a friend out to lunch.
13. Write a thank you note to a health care provider that has helped you on your cancer journey.
14. Pray for someone that is hard to love.
15. Make a special effort to notice the good things in your life.
16. Email a funny story to ten friends.
17. Make it a point to thank those around you for the things they do for you.
18. Remember that if you started the day in a bad mood, you have the power to change it.
19. Take some time just for you.
20. Listen and be nonjudgmental.
21. Read a story to a child.
22. Listen to music that makes you happy.
23. Do something kind for someone that has offended you.
24. Set a goal you can accomplish in one day and then do it!
25. Read something uplifting when you are feeling down.
26. Make a special treat or dinner for your family.
27. Eat chocolate! Okay, you can share some too!
28. Put love notes in your husband’s and kid’s sack lunches.
29. If you wake up with a lot of aches and pains, just keep trying; that’s good enough.
30. Thank God for the gift of life.
We hope you know how much we love you! We wish you a lot of love and laughter this coming year.
Love from the Lifting Hearts Board,
Kara, Bethanie, Colette, Kristin, Beth, Diane & RuthAnn
Thursday, October 18, 2012
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - The "Love Sponge Concept"
Guest Post:
This past weekend will go down as one of the most enjoyable and memorable ones I have experienced in quite a while. After driving to St. George on Friday night and sleeping at my dad’s house, we gathered at the finish line of the St. George marathon to cheer Nick, my son, across the finish line. His brother, Matt, had never seen a marathon before (even though this was Nick’s 8th) and he was beyond excited. I almost cried when I saw them high five each other along the final stretch. Born 16 months apart, they have literally grown up together so the bonds of brotherhood are strong indeed. Nick finished strongly at 3 hours and 14 minutes and said he had never felt stronger.
After enjoying breakfast together at a local restaurant, we went back to “Grandpa Mo’s” to take a nap and await his arrival home from a Disneyland trip. Here he was to meet his new great granddaughter face to face for the first time. We all watched in amazement as “Grandpa Mo” held little Tamsin Joyce for the first time. Her middle name is in honor of my mother who died 9 months ago. After taking turns holding and burping her, we laid her on the floor on top of a blanket so she could stretch out freely while we studied every move she made in amazement. Her Uncle Matt changed her diaper with great ease (preparing for their baby due in May) after which I laid right beside her as she cooed and tried her very best to tell me a story. I felt that love was absolutely dripping from the walls and I absorbed it like a sponge. We were witnessing brotherly love, love of husbands to wives, parents to children, siblings to each other, along with grandparents and great grandparents to all. I am sure that my mother was smiling down on all of us from her Heavenly home. The beautiful thing about love is the fact that it becomes sweeter when you share it. So we breathe it in, hold it close, then squeeze it out to share with someone else. I call this the “love sponge concept.”
My mind then wandered back almost four years to the time I heard those frightening words, “You have Breast Cancer.” This same family love and support was there for me then. Thankfully, because of advanced medical technology, family love, support from Lifting Hearts and God’s watchful eye, I am Cancer free, healthy and able to enjoy moments like I had this weekend.
It is difficult for me to express in words the intense feelings of love and family that I experienced during these two days. Just before we left to drive home, my gaze settled near a pillow on my dad’s couch which I gave him well over 20 years ago. The embroidered message on it hit the nail right on the head! It read: “ LOVE….if you have it, you don’t have to have anything else. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter what else you have.”
Kathy Christensen
This past weekend will go down as one of the most enjoyable and memorable ones I have experienced in quite a while. After driving to St. George on Friday night and sleeping at my dad’s house, we gathered at the finish line of the St. George marathon to cheer Nick, my son, across the finish line. His brother, Matt, had never seen a marathon before (even though this was Nick’s 8th) and he was beyond excited. I almost cried when I saw them high five each other along the final stretch. Born 16 months apart, they have literally grown up together so the bonds of brotherhood are strong indeed. Nick finished strongly at 3 hours and 14 minutes and said he had never felt stronger.
After enjoying breakfast together at a local restaurant, we went back to “Grandpa Mo’s” to take a nap and await his arrival home from a Disneyland trip. Here he was to meet his new great granddaughter face to face for the first time. We all watched in amazement as “Grandpa Mo” held little Tamsin Joyce for the first time. Her middle name is in honor of my mother who died 9 months ago. After taking turns holding and burping her, we laid her on the floor on top of a blanket so she could stretch out freely while we studied every move she made in amazement. Her Uncle Matt changed her diaper with great ease (preparing for their baby due in May) after which I laid right beside her as she cooed and tried her very best to tell me a story. I felt that love was absolutely dripping from the walls and I absorbed it like a sponge. We were witnessing brotherly love, love of husbands to wives, parents to children, siblings to each other, along with grandparents and great grandparents to all. I am sure that my mother was smiling down on all of us from her Heavenly home. The beautiful thing about love is the fact that it becomes sweeter when you share it. So we breathe it in, hold it close, then squeeze it out to share with someone else. I call this the “love sponge concept.”
My mind then wandered back almost four years to the time I heard those frightening words, “You have Breast Cancer.” This same family love and support was there for me then. Thankfully, because of advanced medical technology, family love, support from Lifting Hearts and God’s watchful eye, I am Cancer free, healthy and able to enjoy moments like I had this weekend.
It is difficult for me to express in words the intense feelings of love and family that I experienced during these two days. Just before we left to drive home, my gaze settled near a pillow on my dad’s couch which I gave him well over 20 years ago. The embroidered message on it hit the nail right on the head! It read: “ LOVE….if you have it, you don’t have to have anything else. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter what else you have.”
Kathy Christensen
Monday, August 20, 2012
MONDAY MOTIVATION - A Life Of Service
I read a quote recently by Martin Luther King Jr. He stated "Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve... You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."
I love the first thing he said we need - a heart full of grace. The dictionary defines "grace" as "elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or actions." I believe our actions, when we serve unselfishly, are beautiful, just like the definition says.
I've taught my children many things over the years, but the one thing I feel most strongly about - and that I've hopefully instilled in them - is the important of service. As our family learned during my cancer treatments... service is LOVE! So many people helped and served and loved our family, and we want to give back as much as we are able. Because it is in service that we find the greatest joy...
"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." -Rabindranath Tagore
If you are a member of Lifting Hearts - you'll be happy to know that service is a big part of what we offer to survivors. We believe the to heal completely, you need to move your focus from yourself to helping others. We offer many service projects to survivors: making rice warming bags, chemo blankets, and pillows for patients who are going through surgery; the opportunity to become a mentor to someone who is just starting their cancer journey; and, of course, there are many openings in our leadership that will give you the opportunity to serve your fellow survivors.
If you want to help in any way... look in the Contact Us tab, and call one of the board members. We would love to work with you.
“God does watch over us and does notice us, but it usually through someone else that he meets our needs.” -Spencer W. Kimball
I love the first thing he said we need - a heart full of grace. The dictionary defines "grace" as "elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or actions." I believe our actions, when we serve unselfishly, are beautiful, just like the definition says.
I've taught my children many things over the years, but the one thing I feel most strongly about - and that I've hopefully instilled in them - is the important of service. As our family learned during my cancer treatments... service is LOVE! So many people helped and served and loved our family, and we want to give back as much as we are able. Because it is in service that we find the greatest joy...
"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." -Rabindranath Tagore
If you are a member of Lifting Hearts - you'll be happy to know that service is a big part of what we offer to survivors. We believe the to heal completely, you need to move your focus from yourself to helping others. We offer many service projects to survivors: making rice warming bags, chemo blankets, and pillows for patients who are going through surgery; the opportunity to become a mentor to someone who is just starting their cancer journey; and, of course, there are many openings in our leadership that will give you the opportunity to serve your fellow survivors.
If you want to help in any way... look in the Contact Us tab, and call one of the board members. We would love to work with you.
“God does watch over us and does notice us, but it usually through someone else that he meets our needs.” -Spencer W. Kimball
Thursday, March 8, 2012
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Only An Open Heart Allows You To Float Between Everyone
Guest Post:
The other day while reviewing some of my favorite books, I came across a copy of “Tuesdays With Morrie,” by Mitch Albom. Mitch is a noted sports writer who became aware that his favorite college professor was dying with the debilitating disease ALS. This disturbing fact motivated him to take a series of trips to the home of his honored mentor to discuss and document his feelings as he made his way through the difficult and final transition in his life.
The other day while reviewing some of my favorite books, I came across a copy of “Tuesdays With Morrie,” by Mitch Albom. Mitch is a noted sports writer who became aware that his favorite college professor was dying with the debilitating disease ALS. This disturbing fact motivated him to take a series of trips to the home of his honored mentor to discuss and document his feelings as he made his way through the difficult and final transition in his life.
Morrie Schwartz and Mitch met each and every Tuesday until Morrie finally passed. He said over and over, “Mitch, when you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”
I found this to be a truly loaded statement. Morrie’s disease was not Cancer, but I am sure his feelings mirror those who have Cancer or other terminal diseases. Although Cancer technology continues to improve the diagnosis of the dreaded “C” word tends to change the way we view our lives.
Mitch noticed that Morrie had the same TV he had watched and car he had driven for many years. His home, although comfortable, had not been remodeled in a long time. The carpets were older as well as the draperies, towels and silverware. Does this sound like homes you have seen? It certainly sounds like ours, we would fit right in!
“And yet, “Mitch wrote,” the house had changed so drastically. It had filled with love and teaching and communication. It had filled with friendships, family and honesty and tears. It had filled with colleagues, teachers and students and therapists and nurses and A Capella groups. It had become, in a very real way, a wealthy home even though Morrie’s bank account was rapidly depleting.”
I found this same spirit in my mother’s home as we gathered around her deathbed. No one cared what kind of car we drove or how much money we made. We felt spiritually in tune and emotionally wealthy as we united with the common goal of sending our mother on to her next life. Style didn’t matter; status didn’t matter; trivia didn’t matter; all that mattered was our mother and the care and love we were able to give her.
Morrie knew that Mitch’s life was firmly planted in the “fast lane” and he advised him, “Mitch, if you are trying to show off for the people at the top, forget it. They will look down on you anyhow. And if you are trying to show off for the people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. STATUS WILL GET YOU NOWHERE. Only an open heart will allow you to float freely between everyone.” He went on to say, “Money is not a substitute for tenderness and power is not a substitute for tenderness. I can tell you as I am sitting here dying, that when you most need it, neither money or power will give you the feeling you are looking for no matter how much of them you have.”
This quote made me think of Lifting Hearts, because I feel that it has a lot of the feelings Morrie was looking for. This group is not about money or power. It costs nothing to join and is literally driven by women who want nothing more than to love and support each other through the rough spots of Cancer treatment. I think that Morrie would have loved this organization because they put into action his quote, “Only an open heart allows you to float between everyone.”
Kathy Christensen
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
TUESDAY TIDINGS - Support Meeting THIS THURSDAY
Beautiful Survivors -
This week is the 2nd one of the month, and you know what that means... our support meeting will be held on Thursday night!
This month - the month of LOVE - we'll have lots going on at our meeting. Here is the agenda...
1. Speaker: Mossi White (one of our members). Mossi will speak to us about having "Gratitude for the Potholes in our Lives". If you haven't met Mossi yet, you'll just love her - she is a wonderful person.
2. Service project: we will be stuffing heart-shaped Lymphedema pillows for those who have Lymphedema, and have had surgery and need something soft to sleep with. Anyone who needs one is welcome to take one home. The rest will be for the women in our group (present and future members) who are in need. This is pretty simple, ladies... turn inside out, stuff, and stitch closed (or we can use a sewing machine to close them). *We've said from the beginning of this support group, that service helps in the healing process, so please come and help. You'll feel great when we are through. ;) Here's what they will look like...
3. We'll be handing out the Lifting Hearts Challenge - a list of ideas to pick from. One for each day in February. These are ideas to help you in different ways. Examples include: Mend a quarrel, Take a treat to a neighbor, Take some time for yourself, eat chocolate. We've sent this challenge to each member of Lifting Hearts, so everyone should have a copy, but if you are new, or didn't get one, we'll have copies there. And we'll talk about it.
I hope to see each one of you at our support meeting. These meetings are a great opportunity for you to come and talk with other survivors, ask questions and get answers, and have some time out just for you. Only another survivor can know exactly how you feel - and we have almost 100 survivors in our group now.
I hope to see all of you there. This is one of the highlights in my month. :)
-Kara
President, Lifting Hearts
This week is the 2nd one of the month, and you know what that means... our support meeting will be held on Thursday night!
This month - the month of LOVE - we'll have lots going on at our meeting. Here is the agenda...
1. Speaker: Mossi White (one of our members). Mossi will speak to us about having "Gratitude for the Potholes in our Lives". If you haven't met Mossi yet, you'll just love her - she is a wonderful person.
2. Service project: we will be stuffing heart-shaped Lymphedema pillows for those who have Lymphedema, and have had surgery and need something soft to sleep with. Anyone who needs one is welcome to take one home. The rest will be for the women in our group (present and future members) who are in need. This is pretty simple, ladies... turn inside out, stuff, and stitch closed (or we can use a sewing machine to close them). *We've said from the beginning of this support group, that service helps in the healing process, so please come and help. You'll feel great when we are through. ;) Here's what they will look like...
3. We'll be handing out the Lifting Hearts Challenge - a list of ideas to pick from. One for each day in February. These are ideas to help you in different ways. Examples include: Mend a quarrel, Take a treat to a neighbor, Take some time for yourself, eat chocolate. We've sent this challenge to each member of Lifting Hearts, so everyone should have a copy, but if you are new, or didn't get one, we'll have copies there. And we'll talk about it.
I hope to see each one of you at our support meeting. These meetings are a great opportunity for you to come and talk with other survivors, ask questions and get answers, and have some time out just for you. Only another survivor can know exactly how you feel - and we have almost 100 survivors in our group now.
I hope to see all of you there. This is one of the highlights in my month. :)
-Kara
President, Lifting Hearts
Thursday, January 5, 2012
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - One Language Everyone Understands... LOVE
Guest Post:
We just spent ten days with our son and his family in Texas for the Christmas holidays. While interacting with three grandchildren (ages 6, 2 and newborn) my mind traveled back over thirty years to when I had three preschoolers at home. I discovered that many things have changed since then. Big Bird and Mr. Rogers have given way to Dora the Explorer, Baby Einstein, Bubble Guppies and Letter Frogs. While my boys played Nintendo, our six year old grandson taught me about Super Mario Wii, and the origins of Megazords. I agreed as he worked the controls, showed me what each of them was for and told me, “Grandma, you probably wouldn’t be good at this!”
We took a few car trips and found that the methods of keeping children entertained have also changed. Thirty years ago we had travel games, books, puzzles and treats. They have all been replaced by one thing….Daddy’s iPHONE (the most ingenious baby sitter ever invented). Seconds after being buckled into her car seat, our two year old granddaughter immediately said, “Daddy’s Phone!!!!”
Our little two year old is just learning to talk, however she knows her entire alphabet and the sounds they make (thanks to those letter frogs I am sure). As we drove past a drug store she chimed out with great pride, “CVS!!!!!” Kindergarten goes for a full day. One home work assignment involved writing a sentence with a setting, person and action, then drawing a picture to illustrate that sentence. I was floored… "This is kindergarten!” I thought.
Despite the fact that so much has changed, I found that many aspects of dealing with children have not changed. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of squeezing an infant or covering him with kisses as he laughs; or thinking he is a genius when he does “raspberries” for the first time. And what can match the joy that ensues when a two year old asks Grandpa to read her a story; or the pride a mother feels as she sponges off yet another splotch of baby barf (a mother’s badge of honor.)
What can replace the bonding that takes place as you hold hands together while walking through the zoo? As I remembered the excitement I felt while awaiting visits from my parents and grandparents, I marveled at the fact that I am now that grandmother.
Whether Daddy is a lawyer, a doctor, a banker or a construction worker; or Mommy is a nurse, a teacher, a counselor or a stay at home mom, there is one language everyone understands and that is LOVE. There simply never can be too much. We had 10 days full of love, hugs, stories, laughter and time together. Of course, this time can’t last forever, but my husband and I have stored enough pleasant memories to give us a good start in this New Year and we are grateful.
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Member of Lifting Hearts
Breast Cancer Survivor
We just spent ten days with our son and his family in Texas for the Christmas holidays. While interacting with three grandchildren (ages 6, 2 and newborn) my mind traveled back over thirty years to when I had three preschoolers at home. I discovered that many things have changed since then. Big Bird and Mr. Rogers have given way to Dora the Explorer, Baby Einstein, Bubble Guppies and Letter Frogs. While my boys played Nintendo, our six year old grandson taught me about Super Mario Wii, and the origins of Megazords. I agreed as he worked the controls, showed me what each of them was for and told me, “Grandma, you probably wouldn’t be good at this!”
We took a few car trips and found that the methods of keeping children entertained have also changed. Thirty years ago we had travel games, books, puzzles and treats. They have all been replaced by one thing….Daddy’s iPHONE (the most ingenious baby sitter ever invented). Seconds after being buckled into her car seat, our two year old granddaughter immediately said, “Daddy’s Phone!!!!”
Our little two year old is just learning to talk, however she knows her entire alphabet and the sounds they make (thanks to those letter frogs I am sure). As we drove past a drug store she chimed out with great pride, “CVS!!!!!” Kindergarten goes for a full day. One home work assignment involved writing a sentence with a setting, person and action, then drawing a picture to illustrate that sentence. I was floored… "This is kindergarten!” I thought.
Despite the fact that so much has changed, I found that many aspects of dealing with children have not changed. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of squeezing an infant or covering him with kisses as he laughs; or thinking he is a genius when he does “raspberries” for the first time. And what can match the joy that ensues when a two year old asks Grandpa to read her a story; or the pride a mother feels as she sponges off yet another splotch of baby barf (a mother’s badge of honor.)
What can replace the bonding that takes place as you hold hands together while walking through the zoo? As I remembered the excitement I felt while awaiting visits from my parents and grandparents, I marveled at the fact that I am now that grandmother.
Whether Daddy is a lawyer, a doctor, a banker or a construction worker; or Mommy is a nurse, a teacher, a counselor or a stay at home mom, there is one language everyone understands and that is LOVE. There simply never can be too much. We had 10 days full of love, hugs, stories, laughter and time together. Of course, this time can’t last forever, but my husband and I have stored enough pleasant memories to give us a good start in this New Year and we are grateful.
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Member of Lifting Hearts
Breast Cancer Survivor
Thursday, November 3, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Ease the Burden of Others
Guest Post:
One morning last week I was going through the motions of getting ready for work. You know shower, deciding what to wear, blowing my hair dry and putting on make up...the normal routine. While doing this, I happened to glance up at the framed quote on my wall..."You have to keep on keepin' on." It was my Grandma Belle's trademark quote while she was alive and it hangs proudly in all of our homes. This morning was different than most because many mornings it hangs there and I hardly notice it. This morning, however, it spoke to me in a most distinct way. I began to recall that it has been almost three years since my Cancer diagnosis and surgery. I remembered how the diagnosis came out of nowhere. It was a total and complete surprise as well as a definite wakeup call. Although I truly felt that everything would be OK, the experience was unsettling at best.
Of course I have a wonderful family and great friends who lent me support, but when I attended the first meeting of Lifting Hearts (formerly known as Sister Survivors)I became acquainted with many women going through the same experience. It gave me such a sense of belonging and also helped me gain a more heatlhy perspective of my entire cancer journey. There I found most positive women who had emerged through scenarios much worse than mine and done it with dignity and style. Meeting them helped me greatly in my own efforts to "keep on keepin' on."
Because I am a writer, I love reading the quotes and works of other writers. Charles Dickens once said,"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." In a very real sense the women at Lifting Hearts helped to lighten my burden so I could see my situation through realistic eyes and ease some of the original panic I felt. I will always be grateful to them.
There are countless people around us who are struggling. It may be from a divorce, difficulties with children and their choices, health issues, loss of a loved one, or in this particular economic climate...financial stress. The most wonderful thing we can do in so many cases is try to ease the burden of others we meet with encouragement, love and support, just as Lifting Hearts has done for us.
I want to close with the following quote which is an inscription from a church in Upwaltham, England:
"I wish thee not riches, nor the glow of greatness, but wherever thou go some weary heart shall gladden at thy smile, or shadowed life know sunshine for a while. And so thy path shall be a track of light, like angel's footsteps passing through the night."
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts
One morning last week I was going through the motions of getting ready for work. You know shower, deciding what to wear, blowing my hair dry and putting on make up...the normal routine. While doing this, I happened to glance up at the framed quote on my wall..."You have to keep on keepin' on." It was my Grandma Belle's trademark quote while she was alive and it hangs proudly in all of our homes. This morning was different than most because many mornings it hangs there and I hardly notice it. This morning, however, it spoke to me in a most distinct way. I began to recall that it has been almost three years since my Cancer diagnosis and surgery. I remembered how the diagnosis came out of nowhere. It was a total and complete surprise as well as a definite wakeup call. Although I truly felt that everything would be OK, the experience was unsettling at best.
Of course I have a wonderful family and great friends who lent me support, but when I attended the first meeting of Lifting Hearts (formerly known as Sister Survivors)I became acquainted with many women going through the same experience. It gave me such a sense of belonging and also helped me gain a more heatlhy perspective of my entire cancer journey. There I found most positive women who had emerged through scenarios much worse than mine and done it with dignity and style. Meeting them helped me greatly in my own efforts to "keep on keepin' on."
Because I am a writer, I love reading the quotes and works of other writers. Charles Dickens once said,"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." In a very real sense the women at Lifting Hearts helped to lighten my burden so I could see my situation through realistic eyes and ease some of the original panic I felt. I will always be grateful to them.
There are countless people around us who are struggling. It may be from a divorce, difficulties with children and their choices, health issues, loss of a loved one, or in this particular economic climate...financial stress. The most wonderful thing we can do in so many cases is try to ease the burden of others we meet with encouragement, love and support, just as Lifting Hearts has done for us.
I want to close with the following quote which is an inscription from a church in Upwaltham, England:
"I wish thee not riches, nor the glow of greatness, but wherever thou go some weary heart shall gladden at thy smile, or shadowed life know sunshine for a while. And so thy path shall be a track of light, like angel's footsteps passing through the night."
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts
Thursday, October 6, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Be That Kind Of Friend
Guest post...
What would life be like without the friends we meet along our life's path? Having been blessed with many close friends during my lifetime, I truly can not imagine my life without them. Last week I received a call from a dear friend I had over twenty six years ago. We simply lost track of each other. I wondered about her and how she was doing many times, but had no idea how to reach her. Thank heavens she took the time and effort to track me down and surprised me with a phone call this week. The joy it brought me was almost beyond words to describe. I then thought of the many friends who have added so much sweetness, love and support to my life and my heart was filled with gratitude. Dinah Maria Mulock penned a quote that reads like this:
"Oh, the comfort , the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words--but pouring them all right out--just as they are--chaff and grain together--certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them--keep what is worth keeping--and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."
Thank heavens for such friends. They make the rough patches in our lives better and the good times that much sweeter. I think this is the principle which drives Lifting Hearts to reach out to so many of us. They have made many of us feel more loved, safer, and simply grateful for their love, support and encouragement.
Henry B. Eyring once said that if we treat everyone we meet as if they were experiencing a period of crisis in their lives, we would be right more that half of the time. That means there are opportunities all around for us to BE that kind of a friend for someone else. Heaven help us all to strive to be more aware of others who may need love, support, or even just a smile from us. I will be forever grateful that my old friend took the time to find me. We vowed to NEVER lose track again, and I promised myself to be more aware of opportunities to share love and support with others as I continue my life's journey.
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts
What would life be like without the friends we meet along our life's path? Having been blessed with many close friends during my lifetime, I truly can not imagine my life without them. Last week I received a call from a dear friend I had over twenty six years ago. We simply lost track of each other. I wondered about her and how she was doing many times, but had no idea how to reach her. Thank heavens she took the time and effort to track me down and surprised me with a phone call this week. The joy it brought me was almost beyond words to describe. I then thought of the many friends who have added so much sweetness, love and support to my life and my heart was filled with gratitude. Dinah Maria Mulock penned a quote that reads like this:
"Oh, the comfort , the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words--but pouring them all right out--just as they are--chaff and grain together--certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them--keep what is worth keeping--and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."
Thank heavens for such friends. They make the rough patches in our lives better and the good times that much sweeter. I think this is the principle which drives Lifting Hearts to reach out to so many of us. They have made many of us feel more loved, safer, and simply grateful for their love, support and encouragement.
Henry B. Eyring once said that if we treat everyone we meet as if they were experiencing a period of crisis in their lives, we would be right more that half of the time. That means there are opportunities all around for us to BE that kind of a friend for someone else. Heaven help us all to strive to be more aware of others who may need love, support, or even just a smile from us. I will be forever grateful that my old friend took the time to find me. We vowed to NEVER lose track again, and I promised myself to be more aware of opportunities to share love and support with others as I continue my life's journey.
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - The Gift of Love
I just found the most wonderful thought: "You may give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."
There are many times in my life, as I am sure there have been in all of yours, that I wished I had the means to give more to great causes. I would love to be able to fly a friend home for the funeral of a loved one, or anonymously pay someone's hospital bill. Since our financial situation does not accommodate these desires, I have had to discover different ways to give.
It is comforting to note that even the poorest person has something to give to others if he has love in his heart. Love's gifts take different forms---a smile,an encouraging word, a note of thanks or "just being there" in tough times. Love is the one gift that always fits, is always appropriate and is always in fashion. There is no need to return it to a store for something else, no need to worry that someone won't appreciate it, and no need to be concerned about anything other than being totally sincere when we give it.
Perhaps that is why I like being a member of Sister Survivors. This is the type of giving that takes place within our circle. No one is a stranger and everyone has something unique to give. We learn, share, and grow together as we bear one another's burdens. I think that Heavenly Father smiles down on all of us as we give gifts of love to each other.
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
There are many times in my life, as I am sure there have been in all of yours, that I wished I had the means to give more to great causes. I would love to be able to fly a friend home for the funeral of a loved one, or anonymously pay someone's hospital bill. Since our financial situation does not accommodate these desires, I have had to discover different ways to give.
It is comforting to note that even the poorest person has something to give to others if he has love in his heart. Love's gifts take different forms---a smile,an encouraging word, a note of thanks or "just being there" in tough times. Love is the one gift that always fits, is always appropriate and is always in fashion. There is no need to return it to a store for something else, no need to worry that someone won't appreciate it, and no need to be concerned about anything other than being totally sincere when we give it.
Perhaps that is why I like being a member of Sister Survivors. This is the type of giving that takes place within our circle. No one is a stranger and everyone has something unique to give. We learn, share, and grow together as we bear one another's burdens. I think that Heavenly Father smiles down on all of us as we give gifts of love to each other.
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Thursday, August 26, 2010
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Love and Compassion...
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