There are many angels among us

Today I was a bit discouraged to say the least. I am struggling with cold symptoms AGAIN and my breathing is labored AGAIN. It is interesting to me, that when I can't get any air like today, my whole body is so tired and weak that I literally have to force myself to get dressed, eat or do almost anything. Jeff and my granddaughter came down with bad colds on Monday night. I didn't get as sick as they did but, I could definitely tell that I was re-exposed to something. I went to PT yesterday because I need to get my knees back in shape. I haven't done anything physical for almost a month because of my  pneumonia. Physical Therapy was a grueling to say the least!I kept telling myself to just push THROUGH THE WALL and keep going ( I do realize that doing that actually isn't a good idea ). I kept telling myself that I will not be sick again. I haven't even been well full week yet. But I realized by last night when I was up and down coughing so much, that I was in trouble again. So today was one of those BIGGER THAN ME days. I kept asking myself "will my immune system ever be strong again?" How much more of life will I have to miss?  Jeff is really sick and so I am trying to keep my complaining and whining to myself, poor guy...he doesn't need to hear that his wife is sick yet AGAIN!

So I did a lot of reading today, that doesn't take too much energy. I read a story from the book A 2nd Helping of CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL, the story was by a woman named  Dottie Walters and it was called Angels Never Say "Hello!" here is the link if you want to read it.

http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/storiesfolder/angels.html

I loved this story for a couple of reasons, one is that I do believe there are many angels among us. My worry is that we are so busy, rushed or worried that we miss them. Another thing that touched me about this story... is Dottie was talking about something her grandmother had taught her, that stayed with her all her life. I too learned many lessons from my grandmother and now that I am a grandmother, I realized the importance of my role in my grandchildren's lives. The story is about her grandmother, herself and her daughter. As I looked up more about the author and the daughter, I was amazed (but not surprised) that she too was an incredible lady and has gone on to be an inspiration to many. What a neat legacy each of them has received and now passed down from generation to generation.

I wanted to share with you their story because it was so inspirational and yet again, someone else's story gave me the boost that I needed to get up and stop feeling sorry for myself. I hope that you read more about Dottie and her daughter Lilly, two more real live angels who are making a difference!

This is the quote that was written at the beginning of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book, how appropriate.

"The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memory. This is how people care for themselves."               ~ Barry Lopez

I love stories, maybe because I love to read about other's lives and their experiences. I love the parables in the scriptures too because they, like any other stories ...tend to be simple and very profound. So if you have a minute, read this sweet one that gave me the shot in the arm that I needed today!

“Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls.”             ~ Melody Beattie