A REMINDER...IT IS NOT OVER

This morning, as I scrolled through my camera roll on my cell phone to delete pictures I don’t want anymore, I came across this one (the graphic shown below, which I will continue to hold on to.)

It is a simulation picture of what happened on February 14, 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. This picture and those green dots (which represent fatalities,) reminds me how fragile our lives are. It should remind us all.  

I keep it to remind myself of just how close our daughter came to being a victim of this school shooting. I keep it and I analyze it and I am reminded of the horror she and her classmates had to live out that day at school, especially those in the 1200 building, which is where she was. Her classroom was 1251. It was a matter of sheer luck, timing, divine intervention, whatever you want to say, that the shooter didn’t turn around and shoot into the classroom she was in. This graphic reminds me of that, every time I see it.  That is why I keep it.  

Most people have moved on, especially those not affected and not in the Parkland/Coral Springs area, but it is not over, not by a long shot.  It is not over because these students, teachers and staff have to go to the scene of a crime, every day. Sure, they don't walk into the 1200 building, but they do have to go by it every morning and every afternoon.  They have to walk along the border fence of that building. The students have to attend classes where they once had classmates who are no longer there because they are now dead. 

They still have to close their eyes at night and see visions of dead bodies in the hallways, blood on the walls and hear the echoes of victims crying out in pain.  I cannot begin to fathom the pain of those sights and sounds. I can only sympathize with what my own daughter experienced, and even then I will never truly know the details of what she saw and experienced and truthfully, I am afraid to know. It is heartbreaking that innocent lives were taken away that day and teenagers have to endure their high school years with such painful memories.

Personally, it reminds me of the lapse of time when there was no communication with our daughter. It reminds me of how the last thing I heard from her at around 2:40p.m. was: "Mommy, there is a shooter in school. I'm okay, but I am terrified. I am hiding. I can hear someone crying because they got shot. Please call 911."  

That was it, then we didn't hear from her again for another 30 to 40 minutes.  Those were the absolute worst moments of my life, of my family's life. All I could think of was that she was close enough to hear gun shots and then all we got was silence.

It is a reminder that for these students, their families, their teachers, it is NOT OVER. Especially for those families who lost loved ones that day. We use the term “lost,” but the truth is, they were not lost, their lives were brutally TAKEN by a troubled teen, who had access to an assault rifle.

It is NOT OVER because it KEEPS HAPPENING!!!
 

There is nothing we can do to change what has already happened, but we sure as hell can do EVERYTHING in our power to make sure these tragedies don’t continue to happen in our schools! 

I have written of this tragic event before and I will continue to do so, to remind myself and others, that the repercussions of this incident boil over onto many aspects of life and our community. 

It reminds me that although we experienced the worst moments of our lives, we were blessed to welcome our daughter home safely, (forever, changed emotionally, but physically safe.)  Seventeen families were unable to do that on February 14th. They had their family member taken from them because of gun violence, lack of school safety and mental health problems.  ALL issues we must take on.

This November, during midterm elections, it is our duty to VOTE!! Vote for leaders who want to keep our kids and our streets safe. Vote for those who want to make sure assault rifles do not fall into the wrong hands. No one is coming for your guns. This is about safety. 

This is why we are part of Families vs. Assault Rifles PAC, to make a difference. Not to ban guns, not to go and take your weapons, but to re-classify assault rifles. FAMSVAR PAC is working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that severely restricts access to assault rifles.

Many people think it is too late, that there are too many assault weapons out there, however, we HAVE to start somewhere and do something! We each have the power to make a change or at least try.  Voting is a privilege that many have given their lives for.   We, as citizens of the United States of America, cannot take this privilege for granted.

Everyone aligns themselves with the cause that best interest them and I think that by working together and communicating, we can slowly but surely bring about change. 

So, let this serve as a reminder, that we must all do our part to make the world, the country and our schools a safer place for our children and grandchildren. 

PHOTO BY: MIAMOON PHOTOGRAPHY

Never Again. Never Forget. It's Not Over!

LIFE IN A NUTSHELL

HOW TO GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED IN A CHARITY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

I wanted to share an amazing organization with you guys, that I have been blessed to be a part of for the last three years, thanks to a good friend of mine, who hosts a party every year with her husband and two daughters, in their home. 

If you have never heard of them, it is called Operation Christmas Child. It is a Samaritan’s Purse, (an international relief organization) project. Their mission is to provide underprivileged children around the world with shoe boxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out and making a difference in their lives. The shoe boxes are shipped outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S. 

You do not have to celebrate Christmas or be religious to participate. As a matter of fact, my family is Jewish and we have participated in a "shoe box packing party" for the last three years. It is an incredible and easy way to get your kids involved in a charity, especially, during the holiday season.

A shoe box packing party is a fun way to get your kids together in an entertaining environment with their friends, family and/or neighbors and stuff the shoe boxes with goodies. It is a great way to teach all of our children to give back and make a positive difference in the world.  

It was a privilege to be able to help pack shoe boxes this year again for underprivileged children around the world!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD PACKING PARTY 2017

To find an Operation Christmas Child project near you, simply go online and key in your zip code, so you can find a drop-off location near you. If you would like to put together your own shoe box(es) to send yourself, click here for instructions on what to do. You can learn how to build your own shoe box as well or order pre-printed boxes directly from Samaritan's Purse.

PURE JOY

Another way to help out is through Samaritan’s Purse, the organization that sponsors Operation Christmas Child.  They have a gift catalog with several items supporting young children, such as a donation for a week’s supply of food for a hungry baby.  

WHY I WALK IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

Why I Am Making Strides?

I do it to honor my mother's memory and for so many others, like her, who lost their battle to cancer as well as for those who were lucky enough to beat it! I watched my mother die a slow and painful death from this horrible disease and felt absolutely helpless. It left me forever changed. However, her memory is not tainted by those years of suffering, instead, she taught me and all who knew her how to love selflessly and do good unto others. It is because of her and for her, that I strive to make a difference. 

MY MOM!

In the years after her passing, I lived in fear of my own morality. I walked in her memory and then became complacent, as many of us do in life. However, in 2013, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Self-fulfilling prophecy? Destiny? I don't know. What I do know, is that I am lucky to have survived and to be here to appreciate my family, friends and my health! 

My own health scare taught me to never take life for granted. I appreciate every day I wake up. Life is a GIFT to be shared in many ways.

I was/am truly BLESSED!

So, in conclusion, I am "Making Strides" to honor my mother's memory and to celebrate my own survival! I invite you to do the same thing, whether by donating or walking with me. If you have lost someone you love, whether it was to cancer or not or if you just want to feel empowered by doing something positive, I encourage to join our team, MOMMY WARRIORS.


It is about bringing awareness and raising funds, so diseases like breast cancer and so many others, will not take the lives of so many innocent people. It is about MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
 
Why I Support the American Cancer Society
Every day, the American Cancer Society helps people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early when it is easiest to treat. They provide free information and services when and where people need it throughout their journey to get well. They are investing in innovative research to find, prevent, and treat breast cancer.

I have signed up to walk and fund raise for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 at Miami Marlins Park.  I hope you will consider joining my team and/or making a donation in support of my efforts.

Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you so much!!!

LET'S HELP TEXAS

With all the negativity in the world lately and the havoc being wreaked by Hurricane Harvey, it is a welcome relief to hear about positive stories. It is inspiring to see efforts like this being initiated by young people. A young Florida woman, named, Alexia Olivera started a GoFundMe page in an effort to bring help to those in Houston! Alexia and her friend, Julie, who each own a local dog kennel, will be bringing relief efforts to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.  Hurricane Harvey caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas. It is the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005, ending a record 12-year period with no major hurricanes making landfall in the United States.

Alexia, who is 26 years old, and her friend, will be leaving the Tampa, Florida area on Friday Sept 8, 2017, en route to Houston, Texas to bring donations to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.  "We will be going to help in whatever way we can" she said. When asked why she decided to do this, Alexia responded by saying, "I feel like this is my chance to make a difference in the lives of many people! I have a natural calling for helping people and this is something I feel I have to do! There is so many people and animals in need out there. In times like this, I feel it's our job to get out there and help!! You never know when your going to be in need of something so if you get the opportunity to help others I feel you should!!"

"We need items like towels, canned foods, toiletries, clothes, and many more things! We will be renting a U-haul and hoping to have it packed with donations!" said Alexia.  She asked, that if you can gather any donations possible, to please contact her via text (813) 299-1659  and she and her friend (and support crew) will come get them. If you are not in the Tampa, Florida area, and would still like to donate to this effort, you can always go online to the GoFund Me Page: Let's Help Texas" and offer a monetary donation. 

She reminded me of my favorite quote ever, which has many versions but one true meaning: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

Kudos to you Alexia and your friend Julie, who signed up to go with you. And may the victims of Hurricane Harvey encounter many kind-hearted people like you, who are willing to stand up and do what is right! You are a WARRIOR!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - DREAM BUCKET

When you can make a difference...DO! #besomeoneshero #dreambucket #dotherightthing #savethechildren #makeadifference #beinspired

Click picture to watch.

FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER

As a mom I am very proud of my daughter and would like to share her page with you all.  Her team, Alex's Angels is raising awareness and money in the fight against childhood cancer.

Every time I see or hear about children with cancer, it tears at my heart. My own mother died of cancer and I have watched many people I know and loved, also die from this horrible disease.

I invite you to visit Alex's Angels team page and join in the fight against childhood cancer by supporting St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  If there is at least a little difference we can all make, we should.

http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/alexsangels

"BRA FAIRY" HELPS HOMELESS WOMEN WITH BASIC NEEDS

As a woman and a mother, I know all too well, (as I am sure you do too,) how difficult it is to "keep it together," raising kids, working, maintaining the home, trying to make ends meet. Whether you are going through a rough time now or not, you are still able to have a roof over your head and still have the privilege of going online to read this article.  Do you ever stop and think about the things that homeless people go through? I know, I always have.  We live in a world today that economic stability is no longer guaranteed.

I've always wondered how a woman survives "out there" alone with all the things we women have to go through, living in "normal" conditions, imagine those who are homeless! Not only is it horrible to be homeless, but imagine, the women out there without a place to stay during their "time of the month?! What are they suppose to do? 

Many homeless women can’t even afford food and housing, let alone necessary feminine items like bras and menstrual hygiene products. One woman, in D.C., is helping make a difference!  Dara Marlowe, is supporting women without homes by providing them with items they'd otherwise would never have.  She has collected 40,000 feminine products to boost the self-esteem of homeless women.  

Marlowe is a mother of two boys, who runs a disability advocacy and consulting company.  She decided to do something about the huge problem homeless women are faced with on a daily basis.  Since homeless shelters rarely receive donations of bras and feminine hygiene products, Marlowe started the organization Support the Girls.   During her free time, Marlowe collects these important items, organizing house pick-ups and dropping everything off at shelters in the Washington D.C. area, where she lives.

Watch this video to see how Dana and 'Support the Girls' is making an impact on the lives of homeless women!

 Dana Marlowe and her organization "Support the Girls," is a huge inspiration and I love how she is being a hero and making a difference in the world!   I'd love to do the same thing here in South Florida and help out homeless women.  

MOMMY WARRIOR and www.AlexAngels.com would also love to make a difference!  I will try my best to get this movement going in my area as well!  We have to all make a conscious effort to realize how blessed our lives truly are!

Who's in?





Sources:  NationsWell.com, YouTube and Support the Girls FB page