This Thanksgiving look around for something unique to be thankful for. I'm not saying you shouldn't be thankful for family and friends and music and food and that you have a roof over your head - there are thousands of people who aren't blessed with such things. But instead of the memorized list of things that we all spout off every Thanksgiving, this year try and be thankful for the things that truly special in YOUR life.
My sister recommended this activity to me. Go through the alphabet and say what you're thankful for at each letter. It makes you think. It shouldn't seem forced, it's a cathartic experience, and when you're done, you'll be amazed at all the small miracles in your life you have to be thankful for - things you almost feel silly admitting are that important to you, but nonetheless your life wouldn't be as blessed without...
[I'm willing to share my list with you, so here goes...]
A: asparagus
B: balloons, basketball, bikes
C: camp, cats, chocolate, cuddling
D: daytime, digital watches
E: everyone I’ve ever met
F: friends, family, fluffy pillows, fireplaces
G: Gouda cheese, Gilbert Grape
H: horses, hugs, high-fives
I: ice-cream, imagination
J: Jesus
K: kite flying
L: love
M:meteor showers (or at least waiting for one), make-believe
N: new friends
O:old friends, outer space
P: Pumpkins, purple, parachute games, pie
Q: quests, quotes that inspire or make you laugh
R: rainbows, running, rugby
S: sun-showers, superheroes, snowmen
T: tents, Tohikanee (“there’s no place I’d rather be, than with you at Tohikanee”), tie-dye
U: underwear (come on, admit it, you’re thankful for them now that you’re thinking about it)
V: voting
W: waterfalls
X: X-C races and adventures
Y: you
Z: zebras
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
Showing posts with label thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thanks. Show all posts
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Rae of Hope
I would like to thank all the hundreds of Marist students who took time out of their day last Wednesday to go to Applebees to support the Sloan-Kettering Cancer society and Rae. The turnout was phenomenal! Better than anyone would have expected...
Allison Burke, one of Rae's teammates, shares her perspective...
I took a lap inside Applebee’s last Wednesday evening. I passed Marist’s dean of the school of management, a statistics professor, the director of housing, counselors, and Father Richard Lamorte, on my right. On my left, I passed Marist’s assistant athletic director, the athlete’s academic advisor, the women’s basketball team and coaches, the water polo team, the baseball team, and football coach Jim Parady. And in between, every booth was filled with familiar students.
The hostess told each party they would have to wait an hour to be seated, but ran out of buzzers to give each of them. So they waited outside in 30-degree weather for a table to open up. But by the end of the night, over $650 was donated to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Pediatrics Cancer Center in Raeanna Gutkowski’s name.
“Applebee's told us they are never that crowded - not even on Friday's or Saturday's,” said senior Alicia Mattiello.
Mattiello is one of the four group members who created the “A Rae of Hope” event series in honor of our teammate, Gutkowski. Rae left campus last spring after being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, but appreciates the capstone project.
“Just because I got sick, doesn’t mean I would ever ask for anything in return,” said Rae. “But nevertheless, the support and love that people from my home and the Marist community give has been overwhelming. It makes me speechless and I just want to cry because I have so much emotion that I can’t put into words.”
Like many collegiate athletes, Rae suffered a knee injury in the middle of spring practice. But unlike most 20-year-old volleyball players, Rae’s test results revealed the unimaginable reality of bone cancer.
While Rae continues to battle cancer, the volleyball team will play a benefit game for her.
“It is just one more thing that my teammates and coaches have done to make me feel so special,” said Rae.
On Nov. 1, the Foxy Ladies will face Iona to complete the “A Rae of Hope” event series. Admission is free, but prizes such as sports memorabilia and local restaurant gift certificates will be raffled off and donations will be accepted to raise money for Rae.
Medical complications have pushed Rae’s return to campus back farther. But as long as her chemotherapy schedule permits, she will attend the game and complete our 12-person roster.
Last Saturday, Marist President Denis Murray was part of our pre-match huddle. He congratulated the team and project’s group members. “A Rae of Hope” carries the Marist spirit in place of its missing member, who has a message for all of us.
“Everyone around our age looks at cancer as something they don’t need to think about for another 50 years,” said Rae. “But unfortunately, that isn’t true. Your life can be changed in a heartbeat, so enjoy your health, take care of yourself, and have fun in college!”
Allison Burke, one of Rae's teammates, shares her perspective...
I took a lap inside Applebee’s last Wednesday evening. I passed Marist’s dean of the school of management, a statistics professor, the director of housing, counselors, and Father Richard Lamorte, on my right. On my left, I passed Marist’s assistant athletic director, the athlete’s academic advisor, the women’s basketball team and coaches, the water polo team, the baseball team, and football coach Jim Parady. And in between, every booth was filled with familiar students.
The hostess told each party they would have to wait an hour to be seated, but ran out of buzzers to give each of them. So they waited outside in 30-degree weather for a table to open up. But by the end of the night, over $650 was donated to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Pediatrics Cancer Center in Raeanna Gutkowski’s name.
“Applebee's told us they are never that crowded - not even on Friday's or Saturday's,” said senior Alicia Mattiello.
Mattiello is one of the four group members who created the “A Rae of Hope” event series in honor of our teammate, Gutkowski. Rae left campus last spring after being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, but appreciates the capstone project.
“Just because I got sick, doesn’t mean I would ever ask for anything in return,” said Rae. “But nevertheless, the support and love that people from my home and the Marist community give has been overwhelming. It makes me speechless and I just want to cry because I have so much emotion that I can’t put into words.”
Like many collegiate athletes, Rae suffered a knee injury in the middle of spring practice. But unlike most 20-year-old volleyball players, Rae’s test results revealed the unimaginable reality of bone cancer.
While Rae continues to battle cancer, the volleyball team will play a benefit game for her.
“It is just one more thing that my teammates and coaches have done to make me feel so special,” said Rae.
On Nov. 1, the Foxy Ladies will face Iona to complete the “A Rae of Hope” event series. Admission is free, but prizes such as sports memorabilia and local restaurant gift certificates will be raffled off and donations will be accepted to raise money for Rae.
Medical complications have pushed Rae’s return to campus back farther. But as long as her chemotherapy schedule permits, she will attend the game and complete our 12-person roster.
Last Saturday, Marist President Denis Murray was part of our pre-match huddle. He congratulated the team and project’s group members. “A Rae of Hope” carries the Marist spirit in place of its missing member, who has a message for all of us.
“Everyone around our age looks at cancer as something they don’t need to think about for another 50 years,” said Rae. “But unfortunately, that isn’t true. Your life can be changed in a heartbeat, so enjoy your health, take care of yourself, and have fun in college!”
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Gospel Reflection ... 1 day late
At first hearing, I have to be honest and admit that I thought today's gospel reading to be boring. Not that it isn't well-written and meaningful, but just that the idea that God loves us seems so basic.
Upon further reflection though I relalized that my attitude is exactly the point of the reading. God loves us more than anything; He sacrificed His only son for us! And yet, here I sit, completely unimpressed by his compassion and unrelenting devotion towards me.
And what have I done to deserve this undying love? I was born; I exist; I like to think that I am a good wholesome person for the most part; but what have I done to deserve the unconditional love that the almighty Father not only offers me, but bestows upon me even when I am not expecting or especially deserving of it?
As I look around me I can see all the small wonders God has made, simply for my enjoyment because he loves me. Every smiling face, every tiny child's hand, each blooming flower, each melodious note, every seemingly insignificant moment of everyday that manages to put a smile on my face or lift my spirits is a gift from God because he really truly loves me and wants to make my life good.
That's incredible.
I should be more thankful.
Thanks God. I love You too.
Upon further reflection though I relalized that my attitude is exactly the point of the reading. God loves us more than anything; He sacrificed His only son for us! And yet, here I sit, completely unimpressed by his compassion and unrelenting devotion towards me.
And what have I done to deserve this undying love? I was born; I exist; I like to think that I am a good wholesome person for the most part; but what have I done to deserve the unconditional love that the almighty Father not only offers me, but bestows upon me even when I am not expecting or especially deserving of it?
As I look around me I can see all the small wonders God has made, simply for my enjoyment because he loves me. Every smiling face, every tiny child's hand, each blooming flower, each melodious note, every seemingly insignificant moment of everyday that manages to put a smile on my face or lift my spirits is a gift from God because he really truly loves me and wants to make my life good.
That's incredible.
I should be more thankful.
Thanks God. I love You too.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
a 24 hour car ride
For Spring break this year 3 friends and I decided to drive to Florida for a mini vacation. The money we would save in gas would be worth the long drive we reasoned, and now that we're back, I would still say it was a good decision. Despite the sore butts, slightly cramped conditions, gross fast food, and bad radio station music, the trip was highly successful, and I would do it again in a heart beat.
While in the car I had a plethora of time on my hands to pass. Instead of being bored, I accepted it and used it for my peace of mind. Not only was able to have several good conversations with my traveling companions, I also found the time to reflect on the wonderful world around me and God's role in it.
At one point I blocked out the noise of the ride and talked to God. I thanked him for the wonderful trip that we had, for my friends, for the decent driving conditions, and just for being present in my life. Often times I am so busy that I do not have time to have full conversations with God and our discussions are limited to hasty thank-yous or one-minute requests. God deserves better than this and this looong car ride was the perfect time for me to reflect on life and my role in it.
Now, i did not come to any epiphany or grand conclusion, but it was wonderful to be able to settle back and just talk to God. I had forgotten how relaxing it could be and it was great to reconnect. I felt so at peace by the time I was done.
The trip also reminded me of God's ever-presence. Although it may have been hard to admire the South Carolinian landscape while flying down I-95 at 90 miles per hour, we still noticed the small things. I saw marvelous bridges, goregous shooting water fountains, awe-inspiring rock-faces, miles and miles of open lush greenness, and massive cloud-free blue skies; I could feel the warm sun, spy the twinkling stars, hear the tapping of the warm rain on the wind-shield and sense the warmth and comfort of friendship, and, in it all, I found the omnicient ever-present power of God.
While in the car I had a plethora of time on my hands to pass. Instead of being bored, I accepted it and used it for my peace of mind. Not only was able to have several good conversations with my traveling companions, I also found the time to reflect on the wonderful world around me and God's role in it.
At one point I blocked out the noise of the ride and talked to God. I thanked him for the wonderful trip that we had, for my friends, for the decent driving conditions, and just for being present in my life. Often times I am so busy that I do not have time to have full conversations with God and our discussions are limited to hasty thank-yous or one-minute requests. God deserves better than this and this looong car ride was the perfect time for me to reflect on life and my role in it.
Now, i did not come to any epiphany or grand conclusion, but it was wonderful to be able to settle back and just talk to God. I had forgotten how relaxing it could be and it was great to reconnect. I felt so at peace by the time I was done.
The trip also reminded me of God's ever-presence. Although it may have been hard to admire the South Carolinian landscape while flying down I-95 at 90 miles per hour, we still noticed the small things. I saw marvelous bridges, goregous shooting water fountains, awe-inspiring rock-faces, miles and miles of open lush greenness, and massive cloud-free blue skies; I could feel the warm sun, spy the twinkling stars, hear the tapping of the warm rain on the wind-shield and sense the warmth and comfort of friendship, and, in it all, I found the omnicient ever-present power of God.
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