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. 

A Blind Man & Humanity

I have been meaning to write this post, but haven't really had the time. Hopefully I'll get all the facts correct.

I suppose it was a couple of weeks ago or so. I was studying in the library, when my boyfriend came in to tell me about something that had just happened. I can't really remember where he was headed, but he saw this guy, a blind guy, that had dropped his walking stick. The guy was trying to search around for his stick. Keep in mind, that this happened in the middle of campus. The guy was on his way to class. From what I was told, there were many people just standing around staring at the guy. My boyfriend said he just looked around at everyone standing there and decided to help the guy. He goes over and gets the stick for the guy and hands it to him. I guess the guy asked Clint (my boyfriend) if he would walk with him to class. Of course, Clint said sure. They talked on the way to the building. From what I remember, they guy has been blind most, if not all of his life. He lives on campus and uses some sort of tapping and counting with the stick to get around campus. I was told that he's a pretty fast walker. The guy also tells Clint how he can hear really well. That's not surprising because when you don't have one of your senses, the others are heightened. He said that he can hear people always talking about him and that it hurts his feelings. People usually don't know that he can hear them. He also said that he doesn't have many friends because people are scared of him, or whatever the reason be. Well they make it to the building and they guy says thanks and that he can make it the rest of the way. They then go their separate ways.

Okay... first, I am completely amazed. Yes, I didn't actually meet this guy and I wasn't there to experience this. However, I can imagine. I can't believe he can get around so well. I have never really known someone that has been blind their whole life so I don't really know what they go through. Obviously, simple tasks for people that can see would be hard for people that can't see. I'm amazed that he lives on campus and walks around by himself and goes to class, etc. I just think it's so great. We complain about the dumbest things in life and take so much for granted. This was just another eye opener for me.

Second, I am extremely disgusted, so much so that it's hard to put into words, with humanity. We supposedly live in the "Friendliest Town in America," yet people on campus can't take a second to help a person. People were just standing there looking at him and probably talking about him. It's just rude!! People need to stop being so self-centered and selfish. Try helping someone else for once. It could make their day or even their life. A simple act of kindness can go a very long way. I am tired of having to lower my expectations for people; people need to start raising their standards.

Next time you see someone in need, think of your father, mother, brother, sister, or someone that you are close to. Better yet, think of your child (born or unborn). How would you feel if this person was your child, frantically searching around on the ground? Would you want someone to just pass them by or laugh at them? I'm guessing no. Well then stand up and start doing something about it. Making the world a better place starts with you. If you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in a better or safe world, then YOU make it that way. Let's make kindness epidemic.

Lastly, thanks to Clint for helping this guy and being kind. I'm glad kindness isn't extinct yet.

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