Thanks, Love & Marathons

Still eating? :) We had such a great Thanksgiving and even tried some new things for the Vegetarians in the family. I won't repeat what we thought of it but we washed it down with such great desserts that we just focused on the not-so-vegetarian items and made it through. Did someone say Tofurkey?

Our family seems to grow and grow every year. The older I get the more I see how things have come to be. We have always had "extras" at the table and that is one of the things I love about the holidays.

We have always been taught to extend family support to those who need it (family or not). So, our table can be the best for story telling, but, beware because they are most likely going to embarrass!

Being raised with the value of making others feel welcome—no matter what their story—has provided me the foundation in which I feel so blessed to emulate and to learn from. Through almost all of my daily challenges, I can't express how thankful I am to have a circle of support.

On a concluding note—not such a great picture—Skyline and I were being photographed by the wonderful Mr. Nicholas and I decided to share it with you. Sky was really the one being photographed, but being as though he is a service dog, he wouldn't get on the couch without me!

He has been the best companion and he is a king to the family, and friends too, once you successfully introduced yourself. He is a rock star in some places when he is carrying a sack for me, television remotes, newspapers, car keys, etc. People just love him. For everyone who helped with Skyline: I THANK YOU! He is such a special addition to our family.

Chicago Half-Marathon: If anyone is interested in making the end of their 2009 summer a time to remember, think about contributing to our humble team representing the P.L.A.Y. Foundation, or just being a sponsor in any way you feel comfortable.

We have formed a team to do the 5K. People will most likely doing both, so do not worry about choosing one or the other. It is September 13, 2009. It will be a memorable weekend! Hopefully the following night we could hit downtown Chicago for a beer! Feel free to e-mail me at jgriffin@playfoundation.net if you want to go with us. Since we have plenty of time before the deadline, I will remind everyone again soon.

Love,
Jen

Sowing the Seed

The Ringler family is one of the most steadfast and compassionate groups of people you will ever meet. This is a short story that Sharon Ringler wrote to reflect on her brave journey to defeat lung cancer.

I spent the week of October 27th, 2008, in Houston for a three month check-up and the results did not look good. We were told it was highly probable that the cancer had returned since the area we had been watching near the lung now showed an increase in size.

The lab work supported this. I stayed two additional days for another lung biopsy. We all cried.

During this time, Glenn and I visited the chapel in the hospital. We entered with a service which had already begun. The African-American lady minister was placing her hands on individuals that were up front and anointing them with oil and saying individual prayers.

We just sat and listened. One of the ladies fell backwards and others caught her and she just sat on the floor. Glenn leaned over and asked me what had just happened. I told him I thought it must be an Evangelical service and that sometimes, folks collapse when they feel the Holy Spirit. Being raised a Lutheran, he was all eyes! The minister then turned to us and asked if we wanted to come forward for prayers.

I told Glenn I thought we had better do it. She asked who the prayers were for and since I wasn't together enough emotionally to respond, Glenn told her. She asked my name and asked why we were asking for prayers. Glenn said it looked like a recurrence.

She touched my shoulder, read from scripture and anointed my head with oil. She looked me straight in the eye and said "you do not have this illness." I just looked at her. At the same time, I had such a warm feeling from the top of my head down to my toes, I began to feel at peace with the whole situation. (No, it was not a hot flash!)

The minister said another prayer and then we went back and sat down. She concluded the service and then came over to us. She said, "Sharon, God spoke to me up there and you are to figure out what he wants you to do. You are to sow the seed. Remember that—you are to sow the seed." I just shook my head in agreement, not really understanding.

We finally got home last Sunday and knew we had to wait 3-5 business days before learning of the results. I finally called Thursday morning and left a message. I called Thursday afternoon and left another message. The nurse called me around 5:30 in the evening and said the doctor was aware of my phone calls, but the physician's assistant was checking to see if she could give me the results; or if the doctor wanted to talk to me directly.

I told her that didn't sound too promising. An hour later, the doctor called. She had been home ill with the flu. She just said they really don't understand it, but there is a small mass near the lung that is a pocket of fluid, which evidently my body has not absorbed since the surgery a year ago. She said both biopsies were negative and there are no signs of cancer. She and the surgeon could not believe it nor understand.

Glenn and I both agreed that we understood. We were blessed once again through the power of prayer from our family and friends.

So, after all the drama, I finally sat down and read the Salina-Journal that night. Each day there is a passage of scripture. That day it read, "Oh Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me." Psalms 30:2.

I've decided maybe telling my story is part of "sowing the seed".

Love you all,
Sharon

A Little Country Western

Country & Western music fan or not, tune in to the CMAs November 12th at 8/7 central! If you haven't been keeping up a lot lately, an amazing family friend, Shantel Grace, has designed an earring line called Jenny's Collection to benefit The P.L.A.Y. Foundation to assist young amputees.

The exciting thing about Jenny's Collection is that it will be worn by CMT's host Katie Cook and Kid Rock will be wearing her other line, Genuine Faux Fur, during the CMA awards!

Don't forget: through December, 50% of all proceeds from Jenny's Collection through Designs by Shantel will benefit the P.L.A.Y. Foundation and its mission.

Quoted from Shantel's biography:

"Shantel Grace is a farmer’s daughter from Kansas. Unlike most artists walking the streets of Broadway searching for a record deal, Shantel writes about the injustices of today’s American farmers, the truth about poverty in rural America, and in her latest poetic collection, she discovers life’s uncertainties in the ultimate story of love and heartbreak.

Never the cookie-cutter commercial country singer, Shantel made a name for herself in the alt/country acoustic rock scene. Her fans include record label executives from some of the major record labels in Nashville and Los Angeles, not to mention thousands of music lovers around the world.

After a period of introspection, Shantel began honing her musicianship by jamming in after-hours bars and writers venues showcasing her talents from Nashville to San Francisco. Her melancholy tone, complete with acoustic piano, guitar and her three piece band, proved a success in Nashville and on the road."

Check her out on itunes, Starbucks, eMusic (and many others). If your lucky you will see her live, catch one of her shows!

Love,
Jen

Significance in Numbers

12 = pounds of weight for Fred & Ginger

5 = mins or less to become "one" with Fred & Ginger

11/07/08 = day my blog had 124,124 hits

206 = posts on this blog

8 = months back at work

4 = number that changed my life!

2 = years of being married

400 = letters, cards and e-mails I have received

25 = doctors, nurses and therapists that I have acquired

17 = psychology students I met and lectured to while in rehab

1 = device I use to drive with

100 = kids I want my foundation to help

2 = screenings I go through at airports

3 = current projects I am working on

1 million = times a day I feel blessed

5 = emotions I can go through in a day

3 = usual number of tries to get on earrings

0 = reasons for not trying

5 = fun speaking engagements

5K = Chicago Race 2009

9,000 = approximately number of days donuts were brought to the hospital

1 billion = number of embarrassing stories I have!

Jen

A Good Point

I was talking with a business owner across the street from us. We got into a chat about life and I brought up Jen. He mentioned that we are all just a quick blip on earth and in 100 years who will even know who we are.

Its a good point if you think about it. Then, he said "what matters is what we give while we're here—from the heart—what we can do to help people or just be a friend." I thought, there's another point. How important are we, really? Some might think they're more important than others, but the truth is you're really not.

We are all here to help each other and play on the same field. Be humble and realize that you are here to help make this a better place. Just be yourself & remember that we are all born with compassion. It never leaves but some choose not to exercise it.

We're not all woven from the same cloth—true, but we decide our individual outlook every morning when we wake up. Be a friend to someone, say something that inspires another. Just be positive. In a 100 years we will be dust in the wind so, let's be remembered as human beings that assisted others in making the earth a better place to live. In addition, I want to say how proud I am of Jen.

I see her all the time and each time I learn from her. She lives with the outlook that most only talk about. She is doing it. Bridge the gap from who you want to be to who you really are. She has done this from the Foundation to her family & friends. Jen's a busy soul that cares about the world she lives in.

Cheers,
Matthew