Another Lesson

Sometimes things don't always go the way we want or expect. It just seems to be the nature of the universe and, of course, it doesn't make sense at the time or, even, ever. For the last couple of months, I have been assisting a non-profit organization, Faith's Hope, with their marketing efforts. Their mission is simple: when facing catastrophic illnesses, no one should be alone. I am sure that most would agree.

While the road has not been easy for Faith's Hope, over the course of the last several years, they have raised enough money to help almost 500 different families during their times of need. Last month a special comedy night was held with proceeds to go to one particular family. A broken home, the mom has been facing devastating cancer. The youngest child still at home, a high school football player. The event raised some funds to help this family. We can all give a little, eh?

Mom had been in remission but yesterday, some overwhelming news came in that her cancer had returned and was beginning to spread once more. Catastrophe? yes, of course. Another young friend of mine, a mom in her mid-thirties, recently passed away after battling cancer for a couple years, leaving three small children. The ravages of disease are all around us. It does not matter how well off you are or how perfectly you live your life. Sometimes, it creeps in your back door and takes hold of the most precious.

Lessons we can learn? Know that life can be shattered, taken away, upset, shaken to the core. It is the nature of life. It is the ravage of unexpected death. Though we work and we stay informed and we take precautions, it still lies in wait, preying on not only the weak and unsuspecting, but also those that take care and watch out. The lesson is a simple one, but often hard learned. Don't miss a chance. Don't fail at opportunity. Don't cower at possibility. Revel in life. Take joy where it can be found. Learn as if you were to live forever and live as if tomorrow were your last day.

©by rayannethorn

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Permalink Reply by Fran Hogan on November 24, 2009 at 7:13am

What a great post Rayanne,
Helping 500 families is a huge contribution by one group.

I don't believe you can enjoy your life unless you realize how precious it is and how quickly it can change. Everything can be taken away in an instant by illness, accidents, suicide of a loved one, the loss of a job and a home, and the list goes on. It is never expected and no one is immune. Catastrophe has no bias and can hit the happy, the rich and the secure. If you've lived through loss and if your life has crashed down around you, it makes you treasure the good times even more.

I just wrote a post of how thankful I am to have a happy family. That is now. It hasn't always been this way. In the past I have needed the help of a community more than once. I always thought I was strong enough to handle my life on my own. How arrogant to think I was stronger than the tragedies that lurked around my happy corner. There are some things you just can’t do alone. When you experience the impact it has when selfless people put their own lives aside for a time in order to help someone else, it changes you.

It is not possible to truly enjoy your good fortune unless you share yourself and your possessions to help people in need. If you don't have the possessions to share, your time is as much or more valuable.

If you are in a good place now, share it with someone else. If you need someone now please reach out. Thankfully there are people like Rayanne and her Faith's Hope group everywhere.

Thank you Rayanne for this reminder and call to action for us all.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Patrick Chuna on November 24, 2009 at 5:00pm

I like this;

"The lesson is a simple one, but often hard learned. Don't miss a chance. Don't fail at opportunity. Don't cower at possibility. Revel in life. Take joy where it can be found. Learn as if you were to live forever and live as if tomorrow were your last day"

being a guy that has lost some people along the way, I can relate..

From this, I created my own idea of a balanced life - I run at everything full speed..like the bible talks about doing whatever is before you, with all your might.. when it's time to serve my people, I serve without hesitation..when it's time to love my people, I freely give..when it's time to serve my work, it's not about me, but it's about what value I can give..and when it's time to recharge myself, then I put 100% flame - on effort into that..

so no matter what happens, I may know the sting of failure, but I'll never be haunted by regret, and nobody I love will die wondering how I feel about them.

I'm sorry about the loss of your friend.