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!

IT'S ALL ABOUT HEART: A LITTLE GIRL AND A GREAT CONCIERGE

This is a heart-warming story about a little girl, named Meghan Schrade and an amazing concierge for the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Boston named, Evan Martin.  Meghan is an 8-year old that suffers from a severe heart-condition and Evan is the Chef Concierge and Director of Public Relations at the DoubleTree.  Meghan, who was the 2013 "Art for the Heart" Ambassador for the American Heart Association, met Evan, when she first stayed at the Boston hotel with her mother, Tracy, earlier this year.

 On this, their 2nd visit to the Doubletree, Tracy reached out to Evan, knowing he had been so hospitable during their last visit.  They had formed a very special friendship.   This time Evan went way beyond the "call of duty" and planned an amazing weekend for young Meghan, with the help of his colleagues and team members at the Doubletree Hotel.

 Watch this short video and see what a wonderful time she had and what a great guy Evan Martin is!

 

The world should have more people like Evan, who go beyond the "call of duty" and step out of the job description and do more for others.  I am sure Meghan will never forget this wonderful weekend. I can bet her tests and exams were the last thing on her mind.  This is what the definition of humanity is.  

Thumbs up to Evan Martin for his grand gesture, to Tracy, for having the foresight to make her daughter's weekend less about disease and more about memories, to the Doubletree hotel, for facilitating everything and to Meghan for her amazing courage!

BE A WARRIOR!

So it has been two months since my craniotomy and I can honestly say I have come a long way both physically and emotionally!  I am about to celebrate my birthday at the end of this month and I am eternally gratefully to G-d, the Universe, whoever is in charge!  Even though I am not currently working, I am happy in having the time and health to have taken up my "mom duties" again!  Somehow, I had lapsed in this department.  Not only was I working full-time, an hour away, somehow, I had grown apathetic and aloof.  I don't know if I can blame it on my brain tumor but having survived one, I can definitely say, changed my life's perspective.

It is okay if I have to be in long car lines two times a day times two kids and it is okay if I have to go to the grocery store three times a week or pick up every shoe thrown around the house. I can appreciate those priceless moments, when my son tells me "Mommy, you are the best mom ever," when I know I am not.  I recognized that we don't have "forever."  I mean, I knew this as I experienced the death of my mom, many years ago but somehow, when you go through a life-altering experience, it hits home in a way that nothing else does.

I am also grateful to have found a group online of women (and some men)   https://www.facebook.com/groups/56743583446/  to ask questions when in doubt.  Things I wonder like, how long is my head going to feel numb?  And what others reactions were to steroids.  P.S. I can honestly say that coming off of steroids was one of the worst experiences!

All in all, I realized that I was extremely lucky in having had a Grade 1 tumor (benign.)     I remember standing in front of the mirror and seeing my head open (as my incision re-opened during a setback) and crying, not because of my scar, but because I imagined the heartache my mom and so many others went through having the knowledge that they would die. As a mother now, I understand the absolute grief of the thought of leaving your family behind. There are thousands of people each day who are faced with death, whether it be cancer or a tumor etc.. and I, well, I am the lucky one.  And so are you, if you are reading this.  You have another day in your life to make a difference, to fight, to be a warrior.  Take it!