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Gratefulness
Unlike our friend, Kevin, I have been halted in my tracks by fear on many occasions. Like Dusty Su, I have allowed things/people to remain in my life, out of fear of speaking up and acting on my convictions. I think the thing I’ve most wanted, is simple respect. In the past I’ve not known how to express that, but because of all I’ve experienced in life, I may be in a place where I can command that.
I have a foster mother who is remarkable. When I met her I was a miserable 15 yr old who had literally been battered by life and it’s circumstances for years. I was nervous, anxious and eager to please ANYONE just to be left alone. Emi was also subjected to a terrible childhood. Personally, she was rejected by her divorced parents, hated by her step-mother and step-siblings and sent to live with her elderly grandfather in Los Angeles. Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The white peo...
I have a foster mother who is remarkable. When I met her I was a miserable 15 yr old who had literally been battered by life and it’s circumstances for years. I was nervous, anxious and eager to please ANYONE just to be left alone. Emi was also subjected to a terrible childhood. Personally, she was rejected by her divorced parents, hated by her step-mother and step-siblings and sent to live with her elderly grandfather in Los Angeles. Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The white people in her neighborhood viewed Emi and her family members with hatred and contempt, even though they were loyal Americans. The government came in one day and gave all of them 24 hrs to pack up one suitcase each and at 5 yrs old, Emi and her Japanese family and neighbors were shipped to concentration camps in the desert. For 4 yrs she lived in a bare wooden shack with her grandpa. When they were released at the end of the war, nothing remained. They had all lost their homes, their businesses, their bank accounts and all possessions. Emi was returned to her bitter step-mom and haughty father. Emi married young, to a Japanese Marine, and she followed him all over the United States as he served his country in wars in Korea and Vietnam. Finally he retired in his forties and bought Emi a house of her own in Los Angeles. Months later he died in a car accident. Life had been hard for Emi, but you’d never know it. She was sweet and gracious, kind and loving, full of life and joy. She is my inspiration and my role model. If she can survive and thrive, so can I.
I’ve often thought of this…I like to think of it as my legacy. I’d like to be remembered as kind, loving, family-oriented, a great cook and creative. I want to be remembered fondly.
I like this question! I’m not good at self-care, it’s something I always struggle with. I guess in order to celebrate and honor my life I’d have to honor and celebrate me! I’m not sure what that looks like.
In order to feel grateful I need to shift my focus. Instead of noticing the things I don’t have I will focus on the things I have.
I have experienced kindnesses frequently throughout my life but the ones that stick out to me are the people who were kind when I was a child. I had a couple teachers who were exceptional. Mrs. Ramos, 5th grade at Williams Elementary School is one. Somehow she knew and cared about my miserable existence at home and made an effort to encourage me at school. Sunday School teacher, youth group leader Jackie Urgeliet was another. Loving, motherly soul who welcomed me into her home and heart. My f...
I have experienced kindnesses frequently throughout my life but the ones that stick out to me are the people who were kind when I was a child. I had a couple teachers who were exceptional. Mrs. Ramos, 5th grade at Williams Elementary School is one. Somehow she knew and cared about my miserable existence at home and made an effort to encourage me at school. Sunday School teacher, youth group leader Jackie Urgeliet was another. Loving, motherly soul who welcomed me into her home and heart. My foster grandmother was another and my Japanese foster Mom, Emi Abe. These women tended someone elses garden in taking care of someone elses child, and I am grateful.
Unexpected answers to prayer. These are the best.
When humanity is at peace with one another and the earth is valued and tended with care.
By not taking it for granted. As Kevin said, “I don’t own it”. My gift is my mind. It is also my greatest challenge. My mind drives me to create…I write, I knit, I paint… But my mind, my blessed imagination, takes me to some dark places that terrorize me as well. I manage my gift, use it in the best way I know how, and don’t allow it to take over.
I love this question! How indeed… Today I will do little things for my husband to show him how much I appreciate his presence in my life.
Rituals. It’s my love of my rituals that gets me out of bed in the morning. My routine, my faith, my devotion to my craft, these are the things that add meaning and purpose to my life and make life worthwhile.
I want to offer compassion and understanding to people. I want to be able to provide connection with people who desire humanity. That’s my hope.
I have received the gift of personal strength, determination, resolve and flexability in solitude. When I’ve had no one to help me, I’ve relied on my own strength and my relationship with God.
For me the bigger challenge is stepping into the unwanted with a grateful heart. I’ve shared before that my daughter has no contact with us, depriving us of contact with our precious grandsons. I try to be grateful in this situation, but it’s VERY difficult. Have you any suggestions?
Space. Nature. Animals. My grandchildren. Love.
Dear Dusty Su, I understand. I too was in an abusive faith community, if it can be rightly called that. For 25 long years. When I escaped the liberation was immediate but close on that came regret for allowing myself and my children to be treated that way for so long. It was during their babyhood and teen years, two of them reject religion outright now. One of my children, miraculously, embraces her faith but is wary of church. I say all this to say, forgive yourself. Blessings to you!
Wow…Kevin. I can not relate. But I sense a sort of confidence in yourself that I lack. Good for you!
Good for them, carving out their niche, and good for you, for welcoming them!
“I don’t own it”…wow. Thanks for this Kevin
From the children, I say thank you.
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