Friends, Family and Causes

A few things have happened in the past couple of days that have reminded me that life is a precious gift that needs to be loved and lived.

I had a veterans foundation group call asking for a donation. I told the nice lady, like I tell anyone who calls with a worthy cause, that I do my giving through my church. I know my church and the worthy efforts they support. I feel comfortable with how they serve the community ... local and outside our area. I also had a high school friend of mine die yesterday from a multi-year and difficult battle with breast cancer ... she leaves behind a loving family and a young daughter.

It got me to thinking about causes that I have personally been touched by and that are worthy of support.

• I have a son with autism. Autism awareness and prevention are my focus of my time and money right now.
• I have had a brother fight for our country, been in serious fire fights and had friends of his die. Our military and our veterans are worthy.
• I have had a grandfather and father-in-law die of lung cancer. Cancer prevention and cures need to be found.
• I have a sister-in-law who is battling breast cancer and of course my friend who passed yesterday. Breast cancer awareness and prevention need to be backed.
• I have had my mom die from dementia. Hers was early onset that started when she was 60. She passed last year at the age of 65. Both of my grandmothers died of Alzheimer related/caused illnesses. My mother-in-law is suffering from the early stages of Alzheimers. All forms of dementia that effect so many of our seniors needs a cure.
• I have a brother who's daughter is suffering from a bipolar disorder. Mental health care requires someone to champion their needs.
• I have had numerous, numerous, numerous friends and their families dealing with differing bouts of dementia, cancer, autism and other mental disorders. They all deserve help, support and appropriate legislation.
• I have learned of a young child my sons age who is suffering from a disease that I have never heard of and I could not even pronounce. That child's parents are having to deal with a rare illness that no average person knows anything about. Who is leading a cause on behalf of that family?????

There are so many worthy and needing children, families, individuals and loved ones that need help and support. Where do all of these people go? How can everyone get the help they need? Who helps the ones who have no one looking out for them or helps those people who are dealing with illness that are outside the mainstream of the publics consiousness?

I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

All I know is that I will do what I can for those loved ones in the sphere that I can positively impact with my love, prayers, actions, research and determination. I may not have the pocket book to do all the worthwhile things that I would like ... but I can do what I can do!