Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 27.11.2008 (Article Archived on 11.12.2008)

This past week, I was once again watching a documentary about my eldest daughter (which has been nominated for a rather prestigious award – how proud am I??).

This past week, I was once again watching a documentary about my eldest daughter (which has been nominated for a rather prestigious award – how proud am I??).  This was made as she went through a very difficult time in her life, and in the family’s.  It is hard to watch, but it reminded me once again of how very proud I am of her, and my entire family.   Our children are part of us, and it pains us as parents to see them struggle and suffer.  But I know how lucky we are to see her happy and healthy.

As a mother of children of the same age and wonderful characteristics as Robert Glanville, it was a struggle for me to read the poem “A Mother’s Grief” at his memorial service, although it was an honour to be asked.  My heart aches for his mother, and for mothers everywhere who have lost a child.  There is no greater pain.  May God guide her through her pain and sorrow.

It makes us all realize how fragile this life is, and as I’ve said so many times, how we should appreciate every day that the Lord gives us.  So many of us make ourselves miserable, or allow others to make our lives less enjoyable.  Some of us deal with physical ailments and limitations, and allow them to define who we are, and to limit our enjoyment of life.  But then we see stories about the wounded servicemen who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan missing limbs, and see them going skiing.  And it humbles us and makes us realize that we all have something to enjoy.

There is something for everyone in this life, a good and healthy activity that we can participate in so that we can truly say that we lived our lives to the fullest.  It is up to us if we are going to search for and find that particular thing, be it a sport, a hobby, a course of study, community service, or another activity that challenges our minds and our bodies. 

So this week, if we haven’t found our life affirming activity yet, let’s get out and look for it.  The search can be half the fun.  You may have to try a number of things before you find that special purpose in your life, but imagine the memories you will have made.  On the film, my daughter is shown jumping out of an airplane on her first skydive.  The look on her face is priceless.  It’s not something on my list of things I want to do, being terrified of heights, but I keep an open mind.  Who knows? 

May God bless all of us as we search for the things that make us appreciate this life, especially those who are having trouble finding happiness.