Pink Blitz - a story of HOPE

This is a story of hope. It may not start out that way but you can help make it a story of hope. The picture at the left is my niece, Stephanie. Stephanie was the first infant I had ever held. As I watched her grow, played with her, sang to her, and teased her, I grew to love her even more. She was lots of fun and even at a young age was very opinionated! Stephanie grew into a beautiful woman, marrying her high school sweetheart and the love of her life.
The two of them worked hard at becoming responsible, successful individuals. They were full of love for God, family, and their precious son. When their son was 6 months old, Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Little did they know in the early part of her fight that it was a very aggressive type of cancer that didn't behave like others. The two of them dedicated themselves to winning the battle, seeking out the right doctors, following their advice and for a while it seemed like they were going to pull it off. Then, when their son was nearly 4 years old, the cancer came back with a vengeance. Two months after his 4th birthday, Stephanie finished her battle. (Sad? You bet. Hope??? just wait).
The last two years of her life, Stephanie took part in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk. She walked SIXTY MILES in 3 days (about a week after her last chemo treatment). Her grace, laughter, strength, and loving spirit touched the hearts of many who walked the same road - they joined her team, The Hopefuls, the following year. Even after she left us, the team continues on in her memory in HOPE that with the money raised for breast cancer research, other nieces, mommies, sisters, aunts, grandmas and even daddies and grandfathers will not have to finish their fight the way Stephanie did.
This is where YOU can help make this a story of HOPE. My son will be walking in the 3 Day in her memory as part of The Hopefuls team. For 31 days (started early because the walk is earlier), I am wearing a different pink item every day. I have been posting my pics on Facebook but many I know don't "do" Facebook. I will post my last twelve pictures to date and then continue to post pictures.
For every day of Pink, I'd like you to donate at least $1 to the walk. Here is the link to my son's effort: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=2422359&fr_id=1764&pg=personal.  All donations need to be submitted to th issite by October 29 to complete registration. Help us give HOPE to all those who face it!

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6 (PINK DETAIL)

DAY 6

DAY 7 (DETAIL)

DAY 7

DAY 8

DAY 10

DAY 9

DAY 12

DAY 11

Why I Pray the Modeh Ani

 

The Modeh Ani is a prayer prayed upon waking (and before getting out of bed) by observant Jews (and some not-so-observant Jews). Following is the prayer and translation:

• Hebrew: מוֹדֶה (מוֹדָה) אֲנִי לְפָנֶֽיךָ מֶֽלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּים. שֶׁהֶֽחֱזַֽרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְחֶמְלָה. רַבָּה אֱמֽוּנָתֶֽךָ׃
• Transliteration: Modeh (modah) ani lifanekha melekh ḥai v'kayam sheheḥezarta bi nishmahti b'ḥemlah, rabah emunatekha.
• Translation: I offer thanks before you, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great.

Many cultures and/or religions believed that a person died at night as their soul was breathed out. It was up to God (or dueling spirits or dueling parts of the soul) to allow the soul to return each day. The Christians have a bedtime prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." The Jews have the Modeh Ani. That may be why, in the early days, this was prayed before rising - the belief that waking was the response to their soul returning to them.

I look at the Modeh Ani as a way of acknowledging a new opportunity, a fresh start. Each day, we have an opportunity to make it a good day, to do right, and to make another step toward being a better person. It's also a way of forgiving myself for any mistakes I may have made or opportunities I may have blown off.

I am thankful for the body parts that work. I am able to open my eyes, push myself out of bed, walk to the bathroom, bath, dress and prepare myself for a day of work. I am thankful that I have a job (and I enjoy it). There are many things I see as gifts because I know those who have lost those opportunities. I acknowledge their existence, their contributions to my life that makes me appreciate what I have - as I pray.

The Modeh Ani is a vehicle I use to acknowledge what I have and give thanks. 

Coming up....Religion and Gardening

What a mix! Actually, I have a lot of thoughts on both topics and will divide and post on both beginning with an open letter to a friend regarding religion, spirituality, beliefs and such.



Dear friend,

We were discussing (as much a discussion as you can have on chat) so me feelings on religion and spirituality. This being a natural topic so close to Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) but you and I often have discussions like these.

When I think of humankind's view of God, I think of a round circle with a smooth, curving slope and cracked surface in the other part of the picture. Many will look at it and think, "Looks like a glacier and mountain range." or "Topographical view" or "Something from Google Earth" but, in fact it is part of a toe and surrounding skin of an elephant. Humankind sees evidence of God is such a tiny, abstract way that there is no way someone could adequately describe God. To think of God in corporeal form (like the stereotypical old guy with long white beard and flowing white robes - Gandolf??) is unthinkable to me. So...by expressing this does it mean that I don't believe in God? No, far from it!! I swim in God. God contains me, I don't contain God. And, I pray to, discuss and argue with God. (and that's the elephant circle's view of my spirituality).

Religion? I choose Judaism. For one, Judaism has a way of relating God more to the above view than a confining view. For another, I do believe that all people have a religion - a somewhat orderly way of relating to God/the universe/life affecting forces. Humankind has found since Early Man that community and orderliness is necessary for existence. All humans seek some sort of order. So, religious order isn't such a bad thing.

I leave you with those snippets and next post will tell you why I pray the Modeh Ani everyday.