Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I want to extend a very Merry Christmas to all those out there. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then whatever holiday it may be, I hope you have a very safe, a very happy, and a very loving holiday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The big C word

Cancer is one of those things that seems to affect all of us in one way or another. Take a second and sit back in your chair, think about everyone you have ever known in your life thus far. I bet you won't have to think very long to come up with maybe even several names that have been touched by cancer, if not the very person sitting in the chair reading this.

My own family has had many battles with cancer. I lost my Aunt to breast cancer in the 80's, my grandfather was treated for prostate cancer, a close friend of the family is now battling breast cancer, not to mention the other friends that may have had battles of their own. In 2006 alone it is estimated that a little more than 40,000 new cancer cases have been recorded. Survival rates for cancer in the 1995-2001 is listed as now being 65%. That stat is the most recent avaliable.

Why all this talk, it leads to this story. My mom works for a school and the class she is in was working on quilts to give to children in the hospital getting treated for cancer. A young lady of 16 that visits the class is also a patient and was going to drop the quilts off on her next visit for chemo. Mom of course told her she could pick a quilt out for herself. The young lady picked out a cute quilt with Eeyore. However she then folded the quilt up, put it back in the box and said she was sure someone else would really enjoy it at the hospital. My mom and the teacher made sure before the end of the day the young lady had a quilt of her own that was tied by all the kids in the class.

Little things in life that may not seem too important to you can speak volumes to those around you. My mom told me this story with tears welling up in her eyes. It struck me that there are amazing angels out there that even in their own time of hurt find ways to bring sunshine to those around.

I hope that everyone out there tries to give someone else a little piece of that sunshine. We can all be a beacon to someone out there. Even the simplest of gestures can speak and mean volumes. Always remember that.

The old band I used to manage and play with, Steppin' Stone, played a couple of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life events. It was always a good feeling to go out there and entertain people and bring a smile to their faces with our craziness while they were raising money for such a wonderful cause. I hope that yall have a great day and don't worry. I will post another blog up very soon. I will try to get atleast one up before Christmas!

The fury ones

Took a trip today, after eating lunch with someone, to the Wake County Animal Shelter. I am always hesitant about going to places such as that for the sheer reason that I love pets and can not stand to see all these lil great pets stuck in cages because people did not want them. I always walk away wishing I could take the large majority of them home with me and take care of them and give them what they need.

That little fella is someone that caught the eye of my friend and was just a cute lil kitty. Booger, as we learned what his name is, was very playful, much like a good number of kitties there. All the cats were either super friendly or just being a cat and lazy.

I should have taken some more picutres and especially in the dog area. There were so many sweet dogs in there just wanting some attention and to be loved. I came across one little guy that was very timid and had a small growl to him. But, looking at his body language you could tell he wanted to be cared for and that the little grown was just because he was scared. He would give small barks when you turned your back to get your attention again. So many wonderful dogs that you just think about why on earth someone hasn't come to get them.

For those out there that have the ability and want a companion and lovable pet I urge you to go check out these places for adoption. So many loving, deserving pets out there looking for some owner to just cuddle up to or throw a ball around with them.

http://www.spcawake.org
http://www.wakegov.com/pets/shelter/default.htm