[caption id="attachment_6752" align="alignleft" width="218" caption="Christmas tree"]
[/caption]Carol Forsloff - Many
people feel depressed at Christmas because of those who died at the
time or because they are especially missed during the holidays, but what
can we learn from the dead and dying that can help us all year long.
What is the ultimate human love? Giving to others during times of personal
travail is likely a topper. A good example is what Brenden Foster did
when he knew he was dying, from his story told during the holidays in
2008.
travail is likely a topper. A good example is what Brenden Foster did
when he knew he was dying, from his story told during the holidays in
2008.
The
ability to love without qualification that takes most of us a lifetime
to learn, is sometimes expressed in the wishes of dying children.
Children whose last wish is to do something for others are remarkable
souls who can teach us all the true meaning of Christmas. Brenden Foster died in November 2008. He had been a happy and healthy child who
loved to play sports and be with his friends. But he developed leukemia
and was unable to do the things he loved to do. One day, following a
trip to his doctor, Brenden saw a camp for the homeless called
Nickelsville. He worried about the people there and whether or not they
had enough to eat. So Brenden decided to launch a program for feeding
the homeless people at the camp. The idea spread throughout the town of
Lynnwood, Washington, where Brenden lived. The 11-year-old Brenden, in
the meantime, became too weak from his illness to follow through with
his plan, so the townspeople did it in his honor.
Brenden’s last wish before he died was to be an angel to continue to look out for other people. The Daily Good wrote
Brenden's story, a story that touches the heart at the holidays, and
especially on the night of Jesus’ birth when we think of the sacrifice
one man made for others hundreds of years ago.
This year brought
the death of many people, not just children, we have learned from
during the course of their lives. Elizabeth Edwards, who recently died
of cancer, had made many visits to various organizations and the
government to speak out on behalf of cancer victims. She also showed
the courage of looking ahead for her family as she planned for her good
death.
There are other stories of children who have made
unselfish wishes. A child in Alexandria, Louisiana reported that as she
lay dying she had contacted “Make a Wish” to ask the foundation to build
a park for children to play. A young girl asks that help be given
children in an orphanage. Make-A-Wish Foundation
grants
the wish of a dying youngster every 41 minutes. A visit to the website
will bring your heart to full attention if you read the wishes of those
listed there. While you prepare to open gifts at Christmas and wonder if
your Christmas wishes have come true, please join me in thinking of the
children whose hearts are open and who are those whom the Christ asked
us to be like most, the children who think of others or wish only for
the simple things as we continue to enjoy life that they are losing
young.
ability to love without qualification that takes most of us a lifetime
to learn, is sometimes expressed in the wishes of dying children.
Children whose last wish is to do something for others are remarkable
souls who can teach us all the true meaning of Christmas. Brenden Foster died in November 2008. He had been a happy and healthy child who
loved to play sports and be with his friends. But he developed leukemia
and was unable to do the things he loved to do. One day, following a
trip to his doctor, Brenden saw a camp for the homeless called
Nickelsville. He worried about the people there and whether or not they
had enough to eat. So Brenden decided to launch a program for feeding
the homeless people at the camp. The idea spread throughout the town of
Lynnwood, Washington, where Brenden lived. The 11-year-old Brenden, in
the meantime, became too weak from his illness to follow through with
his plan, so the townspeople did it in his honor.
Brenden’s last wish before he died was to be an angel to continue to look out for other people. The Daily Good wrote
Brenden's story, a story that touches the heart at the holidays, and
especially on the night of Jesus’ birth when we think of the sacrifice
one man made for others hundreds of years ago.
This year brought
the death of many people, not just children, we have learned from
during the course of their lives. Elizabeth Edwards, who recently died
of cancer, had made many visits to various organizations and the
government to speak out on behalf of cancer victims. She also showed
the courage of looking ahead for her family as she planned for her good
death.
There are other stories of children who have made
unselfish wishes. A child in Alexandria, Louisiana reported that as she
lay dying she had contacted “Make a Wish” to ask the foundation to build
a park for children to play. A young girl asks that help be given
children in an orphanage. Make-A-Wish Foundation
freeparking's photostream
Sick
and dying children often make wishes for others. This painting shows the grief that comes when children die, although they think not of themselves as much as they do the people in need who will be left when they die. |
grants
the wish of a dying youngster every 41 minutes. A visit to the website
will bring your heart to full attention if you read the wishes of those
listed there. While you prepare to open gifts at Christmas and wonder if
your Christmas wishes have come true, please join me in thinking of the
children whose hearts are open and who are those whom the Christ asked
us to be like most, the children who think of others or wish only for
the simple things as we continue to enjoy life that they are losing
young.
[...] of issues, including shock, grief and denial. While some folks will arrange their affairs to make the best use of their time, talents and resources, others may just remain in despair, unless they have [...]
ReplyDelete