October...

October is a very important month for 3 reasons that have a special place in my heart. The first of which we are all very aware of:

Breast Cancer Awareness
This is a cause that is very important to most of us. It can be seen everywhere from batteries to yogurt and from soda to professional football. Susan G. Komen is practically a household name. I think it is WONDERFUL how aware we all are about this disease, especially given the statistic that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. My Godmother, Eileen Roth was diagnosed with it 5 years ago. Thankfully, they caught it early, and she is cancer free now. My mother-in-law, Beth Prickett, died from it 19 years ago...when Kevin was only 14. I think about her often, never having met her. I can't imagine what it must be like for Kevin, his brother, and sisters (and everyone else who has ever lost someone to this disease, or any other for that matter). We must continue to pray for and support this cause.


The next 2 causes are not as well known:

Domestic Abuse Awareness
This covers so much more than just a husband hitting his wife. Yes, that is the most talked about. But it technically covers a much broader spectrum: physical and/or emotional abuse used by one person in a relationship (married, dating, friends, family, living together, or not, any age) to control the other. Going with this definition, I'm sure that many of us know people or may even be people who have been affected by this type of violence. 3 years ago this month, my Aunt Pam was shot and killed by her husband...a tragic end to a long abusive relationship. It has had an imeasureable affect on my family. My mom, sister, and I will be participating in a walk-a-thon to help raise money for this cause on Saturday, and thanks to many of you, we have each met and surpassed our fund-raising goal. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Diversity Awareness
As an educator, I see the importance of diversity awareness and acceptance in the school setting. And as a human being, I see the importance of it in life on a daily basis. This typically isn't something that people raise money for or wear ribbons for, but it is something that I believe in. Most of us know about the Beatitudes from the Bible (Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc...), well these "Beatitudes for Diversity" were included in my church's Sunday bulletin, and I thought they were quite moving:
~Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech,
for you help us persevere until we are understood.
~Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of strangers,
for we find havens of relaxation in your companionship.
~Blessed are you who never bid us to “hurry up,” and more blessed are you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us,
for often we need more time—rather than help.
~Blessed are you who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures,
for the delight we feel when we surprise you outweighs all the frustrating failures.
~Blessed are you who ask for our help,
for our greatest need is to be needed.


So during the month of October let us remember our losses; pray for awareness, progress, and healing; and celebrate our successes and differences!