Dear summer,

Dear summer,
  You have officially worn me out with the constant busy, busy, busy! From now on "NO, is a complete sentence." But,  just when I feel like staying in bed and turning off all electronic devices that connect me to the rest of the world, a friend sent me an article about an Irish Olympian overcoming SEVERAL serious "set backs" in life. With stubborn persistence he carried on  and will be competing in London (my favorite city) this summer.  His name, Kieran Behan (just click on his name for the story) but his story touches my heart and has shamed me out of my, "poor me" attitude that creeps in sometimes from being just so tired all the time!! So, now I will have a struggle between my American pride and my "brain injury" connection.  Sorry America, I'm routing for a fellow survivor even though in my book, he has already won!!!!!

Steve Saint quotes "The Thorn"

The Thorn by Martha Snell Nicholson

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.”
He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.”
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

I love Steve Saint's words toward the end, "I haven't sought, because I didn't know it existed"

Thoughts about a tree.............

Especially for my "survivor" friends (of all kinds; you know who you are ). And, for those who help me stand every single day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few weeks ago (yes, I am still recovering) my mom, my sister and I went to NYC to celebrate my sister's 30th (birthday), which was in February but she didn't want to walk around NY in the freezing cold, so we waited until what was supposed to be spring.   But, busy schedules turned into July.  So, we went, and it turned out to be a "perfect summer weekend", not too hot, cloudy and a cool breeze.  We had such a blast seeing the sights and being together , just us girls!  This is rare these days! K's iPhone app got us to the right subway, then off several times (oh how I longed for the Tube in London though), there was lunch at Cafe LaLo, we hailed a taxi (my first taxi ride) and navigated through FAO Schwartz (no small feat for the brain injured especially with flashing lights, talking toys, escalators and lots and lots of people in crowded aisles) My mom and I had never been to the 9/11 Memorial. So, that was our last stop before dinner in the meat packing district (a whole other story, a story in which I wish I never did read, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, hehehe)!! We had reserved tickets the day before and printed them out so we could enter the 9/11 Memorial site.  We went through several security stops and finally we were there.  The somber sight of what was left! In my head, I had to fight off tears as visions of people jumping out the windows flashed in my head from documentaries we have watched. 
After quietly listening to the waterfalls, that now hold the place of the towers, we went to visit "the survivor tree". For the story of this tree CLICK HERE. Of course, I choked back more tears as I immediately felt a strange bond with this tree, if that could even be possible??  It too was a SURVIVOR! Although, the things this tree "saw" were too horrific for words it was nursed back to health and it is now planted back in the world, offering 'HOPE' to millions of people as they hear it's story.  Sure, if you don't take the time to really see it, the tree looks just like any other tree at the memorial (except that there is a silver railing to keep people from getting "too close").When you get closer to the tree you can see it still has "scars and dents" and there are ropes helping it to stand; like it once did all on its own. You see, because even "survivors" need help standing, again.  You can uproot us and replant us but we are going to need a lot of help and a lot of understanding.  And, yes even a little silver railing sometimes giving us some space from "everything/everyone normal". But, the amount of "new growth" since the injury on this tree is astounding!!  So I leave you with the song that ran through my head as I left the tree that day.  It is called "Beauty will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman:
"It was the day the world went wrong
I screamed til my voice was gone
And watched through the tears as everything
Came crashing down
Slowly panic turns to pain
As we awake to what remains
And sift through the ashes
That are left behind
But buried deep beneath
All our broken dreams we have this hope
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
For we know joy is coming in the morning
In the morning, beauty will rise
So take another breath for now
And let the tears come washing down
And if you can't believe, I will believe for you
Cause I have seen the signs of spring
Just watch and see

Out of these ashes beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
For we know joy is coming in the morning
In the morning
I can hear it in the distance
And it's not too far away
It's the music and the laughter
Of a wedding and a feast
I can almost feel the hand of God
Reaching for my face to wipe the tears away
You say it's time to make everything new
Make it all new
This is our hope
This is a promise
This is our hope
This is a promise
It will take our breath away
To see the beauty that's been made
Out of the ashes, out of the ashes
It will take our breath away
To see the beauty that He's made
Out of the ashes, out of the ashes
Out of these ashes
Beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of this darkness
New light will shine
And we'll know the joy that's coming in the morning
In the morning
Beauty will rise
Oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise"

Beautiful people quote

One of my new favorite quotes, because I know so many beautiful people (you know who you are):

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross