A Difference for 2011

I wanted to wait a little while before I wrote another blog post
because I knew that we're all swamped with bills from the holidays,
offers for health club specials to take off the holiday pounds and
loads of stories about New Years resolutions. So why would we need one
more. It all tends to blur together I think. I wanted to wait and when
the dust had settled.....start to go over some ideas for ways to start
the year that are actually doable and fun.
So I have waited and in that time, so many other things have come up
to talk about. Unfortunately, many of these things have a sad edge to
them. It's left me disappointed with people and the world. I wonder
what happened to honor and decency? What about caring about other
people and animals and not just yourself? Why is nothing "off limits"?
Why does it seem that things are getting worse in the world? I'm sure
that I'm not the only one thinking this but what can be done?
If it's true that one person can make all the difference in the world
(and I believe it is),
then I want to be one of them! I want to make a difference.
I want to stand for what is right and against what is wrong. I want to
speak up when someone needs to and to take action when that is
necessary. I want to make a difference for good in this world!
I'm sure that you are aware of the shooting that took place in Arizona
with a congresswoman and multiple others being shot and some killed. I
am in no way wanting to speak about the politics that may or may not
be involved in this. Instead, I want to speak to the fact... that it
happened.. (for whatever reason). How very sad for everyone involved
including the shooter and his family and friends. What a
disappointment that all of the political maniacs have come out of the
woodwork to blame each other for this. Why haven't they learned that
we (the voters) have had enough of it?! Both sides need to step back
and see that they are acting just as crazy and poorly informed as the
shooter.
But what I also wonder about... is the family and friends of this
shooter. Where were they when this thinking started? I'm not blaming
them in any way but I wonder if anyone noticed and tried to befriend
him.
I know of someone that I think could fall into this kind of category
and it's obvious when you are around this person that he is reflecting
what he was taught by people around him. He's a sweet guy with some
not sweet ideas. I know that we (the SAL family) are very aware of it
and whenever we have contact with him, we make a point of showing him
love and another side of the negative issues that he has had pored
into him. You can see that he really thinks about it and comes back
for more. There has been a noticeable difference in him over the past
year or so that is for the positive. The things that he talks about
now are filled with compassion and less negativity. I would like to
think that there must be people in his town that are showing him love
and teaching him that compassion as Christians is the most important
responsibility that we have and the rest is up to God to take care
of. I hope that I can be of some help (to the people that I encounter
along the way) in showing that love is all we are called to do (even
if we don't understand or agree).
I do feel that we should hold people accountable too. I know that
it's not always easy but maybe that would make a difference. There are
so many peoples lives ruined or forever changed because of this one
act and maybe someone around him could have helped before this
happened. These people were children once and maybe we could have
helped them to feel loved back then. We all know kids that are lost in
bad families or other situations and why not help? Every child should
feel loved and that they can accomplish anything if they believe it
and work for it. I think that this alone would make a huge difference
in the world. Maybe we can make a difference before they become
adults. We just need to get involved.
GROSS ALERT (this is a disturbing section so read with caution)
Another very disturbing thing that happened this weekend (and I have
not been able to get off of my mind) was a facebook post from someone
that I follow. As I mentioned in an earlier post...we are all big
animal lovers. Consequently, I follow many authors of books about dogs
and also rescue organizations. I was looking at my facebook ap on my
iphone and there it was. A photo that I don't think I will ever
forget. It was from one of the organizations that I follow and it had
to do with China skinning dogs while they are alive. There was a photo
of a dog and next to it, the arms of two of the men that had done this
holding up the fur. I will never forget this for the rest of my life.
This was also not a small dog. The dogs sweet little face, eyes and
big tongue hanging to it's side were what identified it as a dog at
all or it would have been hard to tell. I have to admit (I told you
that I would always be honest) that absolute hatred filled me
immediately. That sweet little face having gone through such horror.
What would possess anyone to do this with no heart at all? What evil
runs through them? And to take a picture of it like they have done
something that they are proud of. I have not been able to get this off
of my mind. This is a time that action is required. I have been
working on getting this evil noticed ever since. I felt helpless with
something like this happening half way around the world. But....there
has to be a way and I will work to find it. If you can help with
suggestions.....please let me know. This is something that can not
continue.
Yes, I am aware that there is a lot of evil out there and this is not
the only thing. Let's all find something that we are passionate about
and do something about it.
We were also notified and saddened that a friend of SAL that we had
all gotten to spend a little time with a year ago had passed away
after a year long fight with cancer.
About a year ago, we were on tour and happened to be in Orlando for a
couple of shows with a couple of days off between them. Of course, we
were delighted to have some time at our favorite place Walt Disney
World. Some friends of ours that live in Orlando arranged to get us
into WDW with one of their dads who worked there. We were elated!!!
We planned to meet Damon at the Hollywood Studios park in the morning
and had never met him before. He decided to come along with us for
some rides and spent a good part of the day with us. We had such a
great time with him. He had worked at WDW since its opening and had
many great stories that of course, I ate up because I love anything
Disney! There we were...the 6 of us little kids giddy on all the
rides. He and the guys went on some of the stuff that I don't do (ex:
Tower of Terror) and we did some of the rides together. I was amazed
that he wanted to go on the rides and seemed to be having as much fun
as we did. He works there everyday and so I figured that he must spend
time there. So I asked if he comes to the parks very often. He told me
so many things that day but the one that stood out was that he loved
to go to the parks with guests (like us) because he loved to see our
reactions to all of the things that he and the other cast members
created on a daily basis for our enjoyment. It was like seeing the
parks with a new set of eyes for him and believe me....you could tell
that he was having a great time.
We went to the Toy Story Ride and we shared a car. This ride is so
cute and involves shooting a laser toy gun (kind of like a nerf gun)
for points while being spun around and moved through various scenes.
Of course, the guys were all competing for the highest points. I was
too but knew that it was unlikely that I would do better than any of
them. Damon was clearly having the time of his life. He was like all
the guys and competing like they were. He was really having a great
time and it showed. We had a great time with him and learned so much
about his job. He was in the building department and they made all
kinds of fun things through the years. He had worked there since it
opened back in the 70"s. He was also excited because he was about to
become a grandfather. I imagined him with all of the fun ahead of them
at the Happiest Place on Earth with a new grandchild. We split off
later in the day and we headed off to the Animal Kingdom Park. We
thanked Damon and he took a picture of us because he liked to do that
and then to keep them. We said good bye and figured that we would see
him again the next time we were in Orlando.
Then last year, I got a text from a good friend that Damon was very
sick and not expected to make it through. This came as quite a shock
as we didn't even know that he had gotten sick. Apparently he had
gotten sick not long after we had seen him and had been battling it
over the year. Thankfully soon after that, we had gotten word that
Damon was better and doing well. We were so relieved. That was
several months ago.
Unfortunately, over the weekend, we got word that Damon had taken a
bad turn and wasn't expected to make it much longer. We were so
saddened. The next morning he passed away. Such a great man and gone
too soon. I am very thankful that we had the pleasure of meeting him
and spending a day with him. We will always remember him and think of
him and how much he clearly loved to have fun at the Disney parks that
he was so much a part of. We had such a short time with him but he
left a lasting impression on us that will go on forever. Thank you
Damon for showing us how to have fun and enjoy every day! We will miss
you.
So, off we go into another year and there is so much to do. Will you
join me in trying to make a difference in this world? And let's try to
make a difference in our own world as well. Let's get involved and
care about other people and particularly kids. Let's be kind to
animals and report or stop others that aren't. Let's give love where
it's needed and for others, if necessary, hold them accountable for
their actions. Let's find something that we are passionate about and
get involved. This year, let's all care and let's believe that we can
make a difference.
Believing is the beginning of everything!
And finally.....let's make a point to have fun in our everyday
lives which can be a contagious thing if we share it with others
around us. You never know who you are affecting. Just like in the
movie "It's a Wonderful Life"........you make a difference in more
ways than you can imagine.
Love,
Kim