Nancy D. writes:
“I had just returned from a Christian Conference in Georgia and I was on my way home from the airport when I saw a garage sale just closing up. I happened to see an item I needed as a prop for our Children’s Ministry Theater. When I asked the price the man named Ben told me, but the price was a little high for our church budget. Just then Ben said, “wait just a minute” and he went into his house. He handed me the card and he said I can have the item for my church for free if I would pay it forward. I promised I would!”
And that is the power of paying it forward. Now multiple people will benefit from the chain reaction of kindness started with one simple gesture. 🙂 Thank you for sharing, Nancy!
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Since the day Rees died I have been carrying a great weight on my shoulders that I hoped to one day jettison for good. Today was the day I thought would mark that moment where I could discard this weight and move on to doing the things I want to do without having to overcome the inertia of the added mass to my life (sorry – I am a science teacher, can’t help but make a science reference!). To say that my family and I are disappointed is an understatement – but do not mistake disappointment for despair. While I had hoped to have this weight lifted off of my shoulders, I knew there remained a possibility that this weight would remain forever – a much less desirable outcome for sure. Today I found out that I must carry this weight for two more months. So be it. I have … Read More
Today ReesSpecht life had the opportunity to pay it forward to a kindred spirit. I have been following the blog of Kate Leong (www.kateleong.com) and her incredible story for a couple of weeks now. Sadly, her Son Gavin passed away from an as yet unidentified affliction that he bravely fought through for 5 and 1/2 years. Kate’s story is a sad one, yet it is also one of strength and hope. Kate represents the best that we have to offer – and she gave it her all in trying to find a way to make Gavin’s life here special. She recently started a trust called “Gavin’s Trust” and they have raised over $13,000.00 in the past 24 hours. The trust is intended to provide needed materials to help children serviced by the Chester County Intermediate Unit in their Pre-School Multiple Disabilities programs. Kate herself acknowledged that she does … Read More
Life is a fickle friend that in one moment elicits joy, and in another utter dismay. One day you are living your ideal life, three kids, a home in the suburbs and a great job – and in the next instant it all changes. In place of your only son is a void, the embodiment of loss itself. Ironically, it is almost as if that void, the loss itself, becomes a real, tangible entity: the uninvited guest in your life that never gets a hint and refuses to leave. The end result is a changed perspective, framed by a world that has only changed for you and those that knew Rees, yet persisting, unchanged, for everyone else.
The realization that perspective is relative remains forefront in my mind, especially considering recent events in my family’s life. The asterisk in my life* following the loss of Rees fundamentally shifted my … Read More
Every day in the record of my life since October 27th, 2012 has an asterisk next to it. There is not a evening that passes where I do not think about what that day would have been like if Rees were a part of it. I constantly find myself qualifying each day as “this is as good as it can be, considering my little boy is no longer here”. This asterisk follows me constantly. I can no more outrun, or hide from it anymore than one can hide from their shadow on a sunny day. I see the asterisk in my wife’s eyes when she smiles. I see the asterisk is my Daughters’ eyes when they act out in frustration. The asterisk punctuates every major milestone we celebrate and accentuates the most trying of times. I loved my life before it became my life*.
I wish removing the asterisk to … Read More
It is a unique experience to devote your life to something that has the greatest meaning to you and, in many cases, merely catches the eye of other people. I believe that any parent can relate to this feeling as it is much like having a child… to you that child means the world – and to others, especially those not related to you, that child’s importance in those individual’s lives is not even remotely commensurate with your feeling toward them.
This is precisely the feeling I have with ReesSpecht Life: it is our baby that means the world to us, but represents an intriguing distraction to others, but does not have remotely the same importance to them. My fear is that once another distraction comes along those who do not share our attachment to the cause will simply forget us (and my boy by association). The fear of loss … Read More