Hard to believe we are coming close to the end of another year! When I think back upon this last year and to what this next year and even into the future holds for the Epilepsy Warriors all I can see is how thankful I truly am. I really do have so much to be thankful for family, amazing friends, a phenomenal epilepsy family, and an awesome God. To him I give so much thanks because without him I would not be here doing what I am. Thankful that he was with me the day I had my car accident for those new to our foundation it was 3 weeks before Christmas 2010 in all accounts I should not be here but I am by the grace of God and his mercy. Thankful that he was with me on Easter Monday when I had my aneursym again wondering had he not I would probably not be here but he has a purpose for me and so now its my job to make sure I fulfill his wishes.

Many of us are doing the 30 days of thankfulness this month and it’s away to share what we all are not only thankful for but also perhaps the reasons why. It is also something that you can start your children and grandchildren doing so that when they grow up they will continue the tradition. One thing that you can do is what is called a Thankful” Book they work on it each day up through Thanksgiving and write something they are thankful for with a picture and then get to share it at the Thanksgiving table when everyone is gathered. Wonderful way to teach them lessons on being thankful and feeling blessed for what they have and for what God gave them and it’s something I like to do with my special little blessings.

For those of us in the epilepsy family it seems like many days we wonder “what” do we really have to be thankful for because this is not an easy road to travel but with that being said we truly do have so much to be thankful for why you might ask well because of the children.

You are thankful because of the unconditional love and joy you receive from them

You are thankful because you are alive and have the strength to do what God has laid forth in front of you to do for him through them

You are thankful for the many wonderful friendships you have formed with people you never knew before some who are now like family more than your own

You are thankful for the websites and resources you have gotten to know because without them you would not have what you need to help your children

You are thankful for those in the medical community that do work hard to help care for your child and you that do understand what it’s like

You are thankful for your spouses for the love and support they offer you when you need it most

You are thankful for your other children who put aside there wants and needs so often to have to help their siblings

You are thankful God chose you to be the parents for a special needs child because they are your gifts but you are their blessings

Your thankful for the lessons taught by the children for they teach us things far more than we teach them most importantly they teach us Disability is Not Inability

Your thankful because knowing that as hard as this journey and road is to travel each and everyday that you have purpose and meaning and that God will get you through it

Yes we all need to count our blessings as we have many. I am thankful for each and everyone of you because I have formed lasting friendships with so many people and I could not even begin to do all that I do and have done without the loyalty, support and encouragement of many of you if not all of you. The Epilepsy Warriors are a special group of parents we all rally round one another when needed and we have laughed cried and had fun together. I have grown to love so many children some I have met others I have not met yet but they are such a big part of me in every way. They along with my favorite little munchkins are the reason I get up in the morning and do what I do. We celebrate milestones together and achievements no matter how big or small always a reason to celebrate which happen to be wise words by a friend.

I have no idea how I can ever repay the gratitude and love that have been bestowed on me by so many people I don’t think I ever could. But I want you to know from the bottom of my heart I am eternally thankful for everything and everyone. I am blessed beyond measure. Running a foundation is alot of work, I have not always done things perfectly have made mistakes but it’s all part of the process we have become phenomenally successful quickly and we are growing in leaps and bounds and the future looks so very promising and bright for the warriors. We are going to see an Epilepsy Resource Center in Chicago if everything goes according to our plans and Gods perfect timing and we are going to see an Epilepsy Resource Center here in Fort Myers those are the two things we will be concentrating our fundraising efforts on this new year. These centers will help those in their local community but also the lower income areas so that all families will have the opportunities to get what they need to manage and care for their child and or family member with Epilepsy.

I am developing relationships with those companies and businesses that can also help make a difference in the lives of epilepsy patients and families but also even if they are not touched by epilepsy I want to reach out and get them on board with us so that they can make a difference and again I am thankful for the ones that have responded with offers of help. I am developing so many wonderful relationships with the medical community and in Chicago recently met with the best in their field. What an amazing experience it was to visit an EMU and see how it’s run from behind the scenes it was amazing these Doctors are unlike any others. I am thankful and blessed I saw the passion in their eyes and saw that when they spoke of our children it was genuine.

The next time you want to shout out loud “why me” don’t instead shout out thank you Lord for I am humbled by your grace. It’s the season of blessings in every way! Autumn has arrived ready to say hello to the cooler nights, open windows, smell of pumpkin candles, football, cookouts, & hoodies with flip-flops around bonfires times spent with good friends.  Autumn truly the most BEAUTIFUL season of the year. God gets out his crayons and colors the world beautiful.  Its a time to prepare for giving thanks for the many blessings we receive throughout the year. To count our blessings for all that we have and to remember its not what we have in our lives but what we do with our lives that is the true blessing.

One of the great things about this time of year is serving, finding a cause and giving back, finding the cause within you as individuals. The Lord gave us a a cause that is greater bigger than ourselves he gave us a reason. The pain, hurt, suffering is not an IT its a condition of real human beings our cause is moving from doing ministry for them to doing ministry with them. God blesses us so that we can bless others. We should all want to live one life for him, we want to be like the one we were created for. I made the decision in my own personal life that wherever he leads me I will go I want to heed his voice. I want to know him let his spirit overwhelm me and let his presence overtake me and it has. He led me to the foundation and your children whose lives need a voice, an advocate. He lead me to you parents of our epilepsy family to be a source of comfort , to listen, lend a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on someone to believe in them and what they and we are fighting for.

When you have been blessed your entire life and given every opportunity in life you pay it forward by doing for others what was given to you and that is you give someone else the opportunity, a chance. A chance to learn, educate, and see that it truly is not about material things that the way you conduct your life is what your remembered for the most.

Gratefulness and thankfulness is the key to a happy life that we all hold in our own hands, if we are not grateful, then no matter how much one has you will not ever be happy. We have to remember that each day is a gift. If you focus on what’s wrong with the world then you will miss the beauty that each day has to offer. When you start to realize that blessings are gifts for gratitude you will then begin to recognize the blessings you do have. By showing gratitude the more you will have to be grateful for. Don’t take the things in your life for granted. Take them with Gratitude!  Live a life of Gratitude not Attitude.

Showing Gratitude and giving thanks is one of the most powerful things we as human beings can do for others. We should make a habit of practicing gratitude every day, because then it won’t take us very long before gratitude becomes our natural state of being. It is one of the greatest secrets to life. Happiness cannot be traveled to, cannot be owned, cannot be earned, cannot be worn or consumed. Happiness is the true spiritual experience of living every minute of your life with love, grace and gratitude. It’s serving others for the gratitude of seeing them smile and appreciate what you do for them. This season take the next 5 weeks and do something to serve and express gratitude for all the blessings you have been bestowed.  Some of the ways you can serve are:

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Medical, Dental & Nutritional Day-Volunteer at a free local mobile clinic for the community

Coats for Kids-Winter will soon be upon us so collect coats, hats, gloves, scarfs for the Children and Adults of the poorer communities in your area

Clean-Up and Christmas Decor-Beautifying your community

Adopt a Child/Family-Open your home, hearts and tables for a family in need this Holiday season

Toy Drives-Collect Toys for the Children who might not otherwise have a Christmas

Feed the Homeless on Thanksgiving

These are just a few out of so many different things you can do to not only serve but possibly make a huge difference in someones life. Smile despite the circumstances and laugh throughout the pain. Life is full of hardships but it is how you deal with them that will, in the end, define you. I saw this quote in a book I was reading  ”Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” it is so true. Even if you achieve great things and your talents are without equal, it is the spirit and character that will truly define who you are. So this season of giving  find the cause within, find the reason the Lord is calling you and remember character counts. Be thankful!