One loss is no more important than another

Something has been on my mind since the news of Paul Walker and his friend and driver of the vehicle, Roger Rodas. I have seen many posts in the social media world such as, "A celebrity dies and everyone makes such a big deal. What about all those children that die every day." Etc etc. I get what these people are trying to say... people die every day and no one talks about them or cares... soldiers, children, a mother, a father... but when a celebrity dies then it's national news and everyone in the world mourns. I get it.

First, I would like to say duh.

     ce·leb·ri·ty

     səˈlebrətē

     noun

1. a famous person.

     fa·mous

     ˈfāməs

     adjective

1. known about by many people.

A lot of people know of famous people. Of course, many people will have a reaction. That does NOT make their death any less important. A celebrity is a person too. They have family and loved ones just like each of you. Part of being famous means that you have an impact on others. Many people probably don't know Paul Walker (for example) personally; however, he might have impacted their lives in some way. I have many examples in my personal life (one that I'll share). There was a little boy by the name of Lane Goodwin. I never met this person, but his life impacted me in so many ways. The night he passed, I cried in bed, begging God for answers of why things like this happen. My heart ached. Death is sad for those left behind. People watch movies and celebrities and it feels like part of your life. You feel like you know them, even though you don't. It's part of it.

Second, (and I could be completely wrong about this) the people posting those things are probably trolls. I highly doubt you mourn the loss of every person on this planet that dies. It's impossible and you would be the most depressed person in this world if you did. We can't solve all of the problems in this world, nor can we stop death. There is still no cure for life, as far as I know. I think there are so many important issues out there with children being slaughtered and soldiers dying that have fought for their country. There are "regular" people that have died, and there could have been something extraordinary about them. It's awful. The media cannot report on everything (not that they always report on the important things either). Every time that I find something new about how someone is dying or has died, my heart aches for them. 

People post and are so public about celebrities because people know them. People can "relate." Naturally, most people aren't going to read the news and then post about a little boy dying in Africa. It's not the popular thing among people. It's a sad fact. We live in a world filled with sheep. People are afraid to step out from the pack. People are afraid of their own voice. They are more comfortable speaking with the group. I know this does not hold true for every person, but you tell me that this does not hold true for the masses and I'll call you on your bluff.

If you want people to know about the little boy that died in Africa then speak up. Let your voice be heard. Tell people about the little boy. You take the step. Don't bash people for mourning the loss of a celebrity. It's wrong. Like I said, I know what you're really trying to say when you're doing it. However, do so in a positive way. Educate yourself. Educate the people.

| c.l.s | 2013

R.I.P. Paul Walker and Roger Rodas and Tyreece Jordan Naicker (little boy in Africa).

May your loved ones find the strength to cope. <3

Happy Birthday Ashley

I got this picture off Ashley's Facebook. Her Mom shared it on her page and it's just a beautiful picture.  Seeing her face and really looking at this picture, just made me want to write something about the beautiful person she was and continues to be in Heaven.

     

     I met Ashley through sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. I always thought she was so pretty. She was always such a sweet person as well. When I learned that she battling cancer, my heart went out to her. During the time that I spent around Ashley and was graced with her presence, I became amazed. That girl was amazing. She had a heart kinder that most ever encounter. Ashley was 100 percent a fighter. This girl lived life and didn't let cancer bring her down. It was impossible to have a bad attitude with her around. Her kindness was contagious. She always did such a good job with whatever she was doing. Her sweets were some of the most delicious around. You are really missing out if you never got the chance to experience them.

     

     I was never super good friends with Ashley, and we didn't really hang out or anything like that. Every time that I was around her though, she was just so nice to me. There is one moment that really sticks out when I think of Ashley. It was during Relay for Life 2011. Our sorority set up a booth, like most organizations in town. Ashley was mostly in charge of ours. Our theme was 'Curing cancer one CUPCAKE at a time.' We usually take shifts for selling the cupcakes and such. That night I spent pretty much the entire night at the stand selling. A lot of the time, I ran it almost by myself. Of course, there were others that helped at points and some volunteered to help but I was more than content selling them. I didn't want to leave the stand. I stayed there and didn't give my shift up. I actually stayed until we took everything down. If I remember correctly it was around 11 p.m. or midnight when we finished. I had one of the best times that night. I felt so accomplished. I also felt very proud. Ashley complimented me a few times on how good of a job I was doing, and honestly, it was the highlight of that night for me. I felt like I had made her proud. I don't know why I felt like that or why her being proud of me was even important to me, but it was and it's a memory that I'll always have. I never told anyone that or even told her. It has been something that has just stuck with me. I've decided to share that moment today since it's her birthday. Sadly, Ashley will never know the impact she has had on me, but the rest of you will. Maybe she is able to read this from Heaven. I sure hope she can. 

     Ashley was loved by so, so many people. The magnitude of people is just crazy to even think about. She impacted so many. I sure hope she knows how much of a blessing she was in the lives of so many. I wish I understood why people are taken from this Earth so soon, especially the good ones. I do believe that everything happens for a reason though, and she is no longer in pain. She has, once and for all, kicked cancer's ass. I'm sure she makes a beautiful angel. 

Little boy gives $1,000 to his neighbor

Note:  This photo came from the article. 

This article touched my heart. I like to read the news and stay updated with things going on in the world. Most of the stuff I read is bad or about negative things going on. So when I run across something like this, I melt. I think it is just precious.

This 8 year old boy, Wyatt Erber, won $1,000 by doing a scavenger hunt. He already knew that if he won, he wanted to give the money to his neighbor, 2 year old Cara Kielty, to go towards helping with her cancer treatments. Cara is Wyatt's neighbor and Wyatt played with her brother, Connor, a lot. Wyatt understands what cancer is and "his heart sank" when he found out Cara had cancer.

I think this is beyond precious that an 8 year old boy can do such a big act of kindness. We can learn a lot from Wyatt. A thousand dollars is a lot of money, especially for a young child. He didn't even give a second thought to where he wanted that money to go. He just wanted to help Cara.

My prayers go to Cara and her family. I hope she gets the treatments needed and lives a long, happy life. My heart goes to Wyatt for being such a caring person.

Just remember, if an 8 year old child can do something like this, then anyone can open their hearts and stop being so greedy and/or hateful. Share a little love.

Source:  http://gma.yahoo.com/illinois-boy-wins-1-000-donates-money-neighbor-193745824--abc-news-wellness.html