The gift - a rant of hope

[The Straight Story]

Before I rant, let me share the picture that has inspired this:




That's my mom. I was born in 1965, about 7 years after that photo of her.

In her life she lost her dad at a young age, and one of her memories was after that she got one doll for Christmas, which she cherished for many many years.

When she was a baby her mom kept her warm by placing her basket behind the stove.

In her life she went through a great many things, and she never stopped fighting until her final breath on 12/31/2004. Even in her last days she remembered her little boy (me) and told dad to send me home because I did not need to see this, and she was suffering from dementia.

She remembered JFK being shot, wars, and so many more things.

And yet she never gave up.

I remember once a retirement home I was volunteering at and one old lady who would wait by the door for her kids to come and pick her up. They were on the way and would be there any minute now. But they weren't. Each night she went back to her room, alone.

She never gave up that hope.

We have a gift, no matter how bad off we are, which we can give to others.

Whether it be something as simple as a kind word or something bigger - there is always someone waiting for a little something from us.

Mom's words to me were a gift. My comforting some old lady in a nursing home were once a gift.

Your life is a gift, as bad as it may be and as hard as it may be right now - it is a gift, we just need to choose to give it.

You can make a difference - whether it be a post to someone on a night when they need to read something positive, to being there in person when they need someone to talk to.

In my darkest nights, I found a light here with people. And it meant the world to me. It still does.

My mom never gave up, she kept being just who she was - Mom. A good woman who gave her gift of life to me and my brother, sister, dad, and friends.

Your gifts are your words, your time, your kindness to others when they are down and out here.

We have moved in this world beyond having to be there all the time for people face to face - we can now reach a great many others all at once.

Your gift is the life you have been given, and sharing that with others. Whether it be here on the internet, or at some nursing home, shelter, etc.

Give what you can - but never, ever, think you are nothing. You are so much more than that.

Your life is a gift to us all. Don't ever think of ending it because of bills, worry, etc and so on.

We need you. I need you.

You have a gift. We can't unwrap and enjoy it if you aren't here to share it with us.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Straight Story...

How beautiful your words are tonight, as they so often are...

I am a little despondent tonight, because of some things that a very dear friend said to me today...

So, your words are balm to me...

Thank you!

K&R

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

3. We have but one life to give for those we love and many others

I hope when my time comes people remember as someone who sowed the seeds of hope and love for each other - no matter what I went through.

I hope tomorrow finds you better off than today.

If you are despondent my friend I hope you spend a little time looking back at your life and what you have given many others here and elsewhere. And I pray that it all lifts you up.

No matter all else in your life, you have lifted up many here and helped passed many a depressing night for others.

You HAVE made a difference, a good one.

And as imperfect as I am, I just hope that someday I can look back and know I have done something good for others.

You have to be sure. So if nothing else, I hope that helps you tonight.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. You always help me...

Always!

I am writing through my tears...

But still you lift me with your beautiful words, that came from your heart...

And I thank you for them, and for being here for me tonight...

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

7. Don't let em get you down my friend

I have logged on many nights hoping to see something from you in the Lounge.

You are, in some odd way, my online mom :)

We don't have to talk each day, but when we do it is refreshing and nice. I can share my thoughts with you, and you can with me as well.

Would that my financial situation was better, I would head up and see you and we could have a few :)

Give me a few months and I will be there. Just make sure you keep the beer cold for me!

You remind me of my mom on so many levels :) And yet you are both worlds apart in other ways (she loved Walker, Texas Ranger...and Ohio State Football).

In a few weeks things should be ok for me money wise and I can afford to drive up and see you. And if people have ya down tonight, screw em. You made my night many a times. And I value you as a friend, even if some don't on your end.

Your gift has been opened by me many a nights when I was down. And I won't forget that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Ah, sweetie...

My good friend values me...He was just having a very bad day, and so there we were...

He's normally very tender to me...

It would be great to have you visit!

I'm glad I've made your nights many a time...

We are the way friends should be...

Gifts to each other...:hug:

Tomorrow will be better......and tonight already is...:)

[FirstLight]

2. Once again, your words ring True ...

Thank you for your input and gift of being here as well. I know that DU is a better place because of the likes of you and several others I have had the pleasure to converse with...

Your mom sounds like quite a woman, You are lucky to have been her son, I'm sure. And obviously, with such eloquence, she must have had an impact on you as well...

:hug:

thanks for waxing poetic, I needed to read this

[The Straight Story]

4. I was lucky, not so sure she was though ;)

I was hell on wheels for her. But I know in the end she always loved me.

And the love of a parent is like that. No matter the hell you put them through they still love you and accept you.

And while I cannot remove the things I did in life, I can carry on what I learned.

Love is a lot bigger than anything else, and we all make mistakes.

True love is an amazing thing. We forgive, we forget, and when it all comes down to it we put all this silly shit away and hold one another through life's trials.

And maybe, just maybe, the hardest lesson we have to learn is to love ourselves.

[Skittles]

6. I have always lived that way

EVERY DAY I send postcards to soldiers in Iraq or people in nursing homes in Dallas - when I visit North Carolina for a week next week I will mail around 50 cards. It can make a HUGE difference in someone's day. And I have donated TWENTY SEVEN GALLONS of blood products. There is ALWAYS something you can do to help someone - ALWAYS.

[The Straight Story]

8. And that, my friend, is what this gift of life is about

Our life may at times suck (and I can attest to that) but we still can do some positive for others. Whether it be for our spouse, our friend, or a stranger.

No matter what we have done we hate about ourselves, no matter how sad we are over our choices, we can always do something in the end that makes a difference in the lives of others.

Even if it is a simple post on a late night here on DU.

Somewhere, someone needs a shoulder to cry on or to rant to.