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Uncategorized June 10, 2013

Ahhh…. birthdays!

Tomorrow is just another day like any other except that it is the marking of another year passing. I have so many friends that dread these days which justify the wrinkles and sadly few left that embrace their birthday. When we were little, we loved the cone-shaped hats, the friends, the candles. When and why did that change?

Well for me, it hasn’t. I am still a birthday girl. I love everything about them. First and foremost it is the friends and family that reach out, people I love, I miss or I just simply really enjoy. How fantastic to have one day a year when all those people simply say hello? Honestly, that is my favorite part of birthdays.

The other thing that birthdays have brought in the past few years is a time of reflection and gratitude. I am so grateful that I am alive, I am healthy and that I get to celebrate another magical year of living. That is a beautiful gift and one that I never take for granted.

Birthdays are also a time to see where I am. What have I accomplished this year? Being born in June, it’s a nice half-year assessment mark. Looking back and acknowledging any goal accomplished and looking ahead with all of the new ones I can’t wait to tackle.

I am in my late forties now and to me I’m just getting going. I have a whole second half of life beginning. How exciting is that? So tomorrow, I will be soaking up the calls, the friends, the love and the moments. Something we should all do everyday, even if it’s not our birthday.

I might pass on the cone-shaped hat this year but I will enjoy blowing out all those candles, even the extra one!

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized April 29, 2013

Make A Wish Day

Welcome to the new look of Charity Matters! We have been working hard behind the scenes to create a fresh, exciting and engaging new platform that we hope continues to inspire you.

As I mentioned on friday, I made a promise or a wish that this day would come and I find it particularly exciting that our new web-site is launching on International Make A Wish Day.

World Wish Day is organized by Make-A-Wish to commemorate the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer was granted in Phoenix, Arizona by volunteers on April 29, 1980.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUSTkJxrHQ]

Since Chris’ wish in 1980, more than 300,000 children around the world have had their fondest wishes fulfilled by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Every 23 minutes, Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child with a life-threatening medical condition somewhere in the world. Make A Wish Foundation’s mission is to “enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

My wish has already come true because you are here with me on this journey and I am so grateful to all of who continue to share Charity Matters on Facebook, like us, tweet, follow on Linkedin and everything in between. I am humbled and grateful for each you. Thank you for continuing to be a part of making my wishes come true.

What’s your wish?

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized April 17, 2013

Boston

I had another post prepared for today but in light of what happened in Boston on monday, it somehow no longer felt relevant. On monday I said, “We should care for each other more and tax each other less.” Never was that more true than in Boston moments after the bombings. The sight of people running towards the injured renewed my faith in humanity as much as the evil behind the terror made me question it.

We were in Boston a couple of summers ago and every time I am in that city, I am renewed with patriotism. I am proud of who we are and where we came from as a nation. I am reminded of the continued price our freedom has. Monday’s bombings tells us that we can never stop the work of our forefathers. Although, we all grumble about paying taxes, we still know how blessed we are to live in this great country.

As a nation, Americans always come together, especially in times of tragedy. We need to continue to remember who we are, be proud and most importantly continue to care for one another.

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized April 12, 2013

Tax time? A little charitable advice

Hopefully you are not like me and your taxes were done in January and you are simply waiting for the mailman to arrive with a refund. However, if you are a bit more last-minute (just signed my taxes today) than perhaps a little simple charitable deduction advice isn’t too late.

I came across this, and although it might be a bit remedial for some I thought it might be helpful for others. Disclaimer: I am not a tax expert. However, for some, charitable deductions can be perplexing. so here it is, a simple little guide.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bNqj49mVe4]

Hopefully, this weekend won’t be spent rummaging through old receipts and donations but if it is, remember all the great deeds you did this past year and the lives that you touched. Isn’t that whats really important?

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Uncategorized March 15, 2013

An Irish Blessing

Growing up I was always told I was as “Irish as Paddy’s pig.” I wasn’t really sure what that meant but I knew the stories of my relatives leaving Ireland and not with a pig to my knowledge. Regardless, St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend and I wanted to share this Irish Blessing with you.

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good friends be yours, wherever they may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world, with joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

Happy St. Patricks Day Everyone!

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized February 13, 2013

A time to give

Today is Ash Wednesday. It is a day when strangers continue to remind me that I have a smudge of dirt on my forehead, as well as the (roughly) 40 days before Easter and the beginning of Lent. Typically Catholics like to mark this day by giving something up. Most people give up sweets, some give up Facebook, you get the idea.

I however, have never bought into this theory of denial. I understand it but rather than give something up I like to use this time to do something positive. In years past, I have committed to favorite causes, given extra time (always the best gift) and tried to use my time and talent for their greatest purpose.

This year, between now and Easter I am committing to do a random act of kindness each and every day …..all 46 of them. So whether it is paying for someone’s expired parking meter, buying a cup of coffee for the person in line behind me or going out of my way to help another. This is the gift I choose to share.

So regardless of your faith or religious beliefs, what can you do in the next 40 days to make your life and the lives of others better?

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized December 26, 2012

The Day After

I hope this finds you still in your slippers and comfy cozy at home enjoying the remains of Christmas leftovers. Today is a day when we look at the excess of all that we have. We question, why did we give so much? Work so hard? Use soo much wrapping paper?

The reason is because we all love to give and it simply never gets old. Today, we are tired, we are full and we are grateful for all that we have……and so now its time to reflect, remember and sadly pick up all that paper.

I hope your holiday was fantastic.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Uncategorized December 21, 2012

What 20 angels taught us in 7 days

Its only been seven days and yet our world is forever altered by the events in Newtown, CT last week. As we begin these last days until Christmas, let us remember the lessons that these little angels have taught us all.

Life is precious

Cherish each moment

Look out for one another.

Trust your instincts

Life is unexpected.

People are innately good.

Our strength is in our unity.

Hug your children just a little bit tighter.

Be grateful for all you have because you never know when it will be gone.

Pray.

Charity Matters

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Uncategorized December 17, 2012

In remembrance

The second sunday in December is an international day of remembrance for children who have died. All around the globe families, parents, siblings and friends light candles in memory of a child who has passed away. This year’s candle lighting came a week too early.

As I write this, tears stream down my face and my heart breaks for all of those families in Connecticut who lost their beloved children last friday. Those 12 beautiful girls and 8 little boys are God’s newest angels. There really are not words.

Nine years ago when we started the Spiritual Care Guild at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the department head asked us if we could provide a candle lighting ceremony for the parents at CHLA. And so we did.

Hundreds of parents arrived with their deceased child’s picture in a frame or printed on their shirts, they enter an auditorium where other grieving parents share their story. Meanwhile the siblings, write love letters to their deceased brother or sister on cut out dragonflies. When the parents leave the auditorium they are given a candle that is lit and they walk outside under a beautiful tree filled with the dragon-fly love letters. The parents will not leave until their candle has gone out.

Some talk to other parents, some cry, some sit in silence but the power of unity and the comfort of the shared loss is palpable. It is here where the tiniest piece of healing begins. Nine years later we still provide this ceremony and many families come back year after year to remember their beloved child.

Every year I leave that ceremony with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude for my own children and compassion for these families. So this holiday season, when you light a candle, think of these precious 20 children…. our unity and love will overcome.

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

“Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.”

Judith Olney

Happy Halloween!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Uncategorized September 12, 2012

September 11th on Sept 12th

I am writing this on September 11th and yes I know you are reading this on Sept 12th. This however is not old news, this is about who we are and what defines us. Every year September 11th rolls around and the band aid is ripped off the old wound. New stories arise, the tears flow that you thought had all but dried up. The stories are always about people who made a difference and who inspired on that fateful day eleven years ago.

Each year we mourn for those we lost and yet forget to acknowledge those who were left behind and what they created from their loss. Each week I write about that common thread of tragedy occurring and the defining moment that follows. What do you do? Do you turn to anger, lawsuits and propel the hurt? Or do you use that moment to create a lasting legacy of goodness?

There are so many inspiring non-profits that were created in that horrible aftermath and sadly more than you have time to read but one in particular that amazed me is Beyond the 11th.Org

It’s the story of two widows, Patti Quigley and Susan Retik, who met because they both lost their husbands on United Flight 175 and American Flight 11. Susan and Patti were both pregnant.

Besides being overwhelmed with grief and shock, they were also overwhelmed with people’s generosity. Susan believed that the generosity she had received brought with it a responsibility and wanted to use her voice to make a difference. She and Patti decided in 2003 that they wanted to help the “enemy” the Afghan widows that were also victims in all this. They believed that if they could change the life of just one Afghan widow then they would encourage a dialog and friendship that could somehow guide them through understanding their own loss.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grGCaSdr3eA]

I think the quote on their website from Patti’s brother Jim best sums it up, ” When given a choice between violence and love — they chose love. When given a choice between retribution and restoration of harmony — they chose restoring harmony. When given a choice between death and life — they’ve chosen life. That’s just who they are. It’s who they’ve come to be. It’s who they’ve chosen to be. And because of that, their children are learning to choose life as well.”

So today is Sept 12th. We try to forget until next year rolls around and we then post on our Facebook pages once again “We will never forget.” Lets not forget the Pattis and Susans, lets honor these amazing people who take their sorrow and create lasting goodness. If today was the last day of your life how would you be defined? What is your legacy?

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized August 10, 2012

Happy Anniversary

I know that we are all sad that summer is coming to an end faster than we would like but after a week talking about grief and loss, I wanted to end on a happier note.

Twenty-one years ago today, I married my best friend and I thought this quote was the perfect one for both the topic of loss and our anniversary.

“True love stories never have endings.”

Richard Bach

So happy anniversary to my best friend and thank you for ensuring that

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized July 23, 2012

A little R and R

Thank you everyone for kind birthday wishes for Charity Matters. Heading up to the mountains to sit by a lake for a week and make plans for a great new year of stories to inspire us all.

I hope you are taking some time to rest, relax and renew this summer. We can only continue to make a difference for others when we are at our best.

Charity Matters.

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Uncategorized May 9, 2012

Give the gift of giving on Mothers Day

The word giving and mother goes hand in hand. All mothers are givers, so why not turn the tables on your mom this year and give a gift that lets her give (and shows her she’s done a good job raising you too).

Sure we all love getting flowers and perfume but gifts of the heart are always the best and since we are too old to make gifts in art class these ideas can show your Mom you care.

Help A Mother Out.Org Founders Lisa Truong and Rachel Fudge learned that the number-one need mother’s had was not baby blankets, clothing, or food but diapers So they created this non-profit and Mother’s Day diapers-and-wipes donation drive to benefit a dozen agencies serving low-income and homeless families throughout California. A donation touches a child, literally.

From Harm to Home The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, this organization gives lifesaving assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. You can buy a card for $24 that will provide a safe birth of a child or for $52- a year of school. Talk about gifts that keep giving.

Women for Women. Org Send a card from Women for Women International, and you’ll help women in war-torn countries change their lives, support their children, and nurture their communities. It’s a Mother’s Day Gift that supports mothers worldwide.

OxfamGifts.com A water jug ($18) can help a family store and transport clean drinking water; a vegetable garden($30) can help a mother jumpstart a small business and provide security for her children; or you can help restore a pre-school ($35) so a mother can comfortably send her children off to grow and learn in safety. There are over 70 life-changing products to choose from to help a mother.

So this year, think outside the box when you think about your Mom. She will be touched knowing just how great you turned out. Charity Matters.

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