with grateful hearts

While most of you are gobbling up turkey today, I know that great sadness is present for many too.  If you lost a loved one around this time of year or if it's the first big holiday without a certain relative or friend, it can be difficult.  Remembering the Jonestown Massacre, the JFK Assassination, or the Moscone - Milk murders, all of which occurred in late November, or thinking of the passing of a favorite celebrity like David Cassidy, can put a cloud on the festivities.

There has been a lot of bad news in general these days, and especially the many instances of sexual inappropriateness, and that can also put a damper on the cheerfulness that usually accompanies a holiday like this.  None of this means we shouldn't be thankful and none of this means we shouldn't celebrate.

Thanksgiving Day is one of the most basic kinds of holidays.  It's centered around family, friends, food, and tradition.  At the heart of it all is our grateful attitude.  We all have something to be thankful for - it might not seem like it at times, but there is something. 

I recently asked some of my friends what they are thankful for.  One person was grateful to have recovered enough from a stroke that he can return to work.  Another person said they were grateful their spouse beat her cancer.  My sister told me this week she is grateful for me!  I'm personally grateful for many things, including my health, my friends and family, and for being connected to so many people. 

With a truly grateful heart, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!

Cherish is the word

David Cassidy passed away yesterday.  It wasn't a huge surprise - he had been hospitalized for several days in critical condition.  It is still sad news though.  He was only 67.  It might be a surprise though to see me writing about him.  This is where I tell of heroes, but as I have often said, not all heroes wear capes.

David Cassidy didn't have the smoothest of lives.  There were multiple marriages, health issues, problems with alcohol, and even some legal matters, but for most of his life, David did something that made him happy and made him famous:  he entertained.  When people sang along with his song he smiled.  When he say he was making someone happy, he was happy too.  That would seem to be the best reason to be a performer, but se certainly cannot say this about all in the business.

David did things for charity, and this became especially true after his mother died from Alzheimer’s, having spent her last years in a nursing home.  David bravely shared with the world that he too had dementia, and retired from performing.  He had brought attention though to a health matter that really doesn't get much attention.  This month also happens to be National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.  We can use David Cassidy's death as another reason to get involved and learn more about dementia and what can be done.

Danny Bonaduce‏, who co-starred as David Cassidy's younger brother on The Partridge Family, last night tweeted "I have known, loved, and admired David Cassidy for 48 out of my 58 years. He has been as kind to me as any real brother could ever be. We’ve been through a lot together and he was always there for me. This loss is huge."

Last night the internet lit up with news about David's death and words of love were in abundance.  "Come On Get Happy" wasn't just a song he sang, it was really his mission and there is ample proof of this as the world mourns his loss.  I'll always have a special place for this special guy.  I suppose cherish is the word.

Thanks Whoopi

She's a comedian, actress, author, activist, tv host, and from everything I have every heard, a darn nice person.  I've never met Whoopi Goldberg, but I have been entertained by her for as long as I can remember, and I don't think there is another person I respect and admire more than her.

The whole purpose of this blog has always been to suggest ways of getting involved and making a difference in our world, and to spotlight those everyday heroes who are courageously helping to make this a better place.  Ms Goldberg could easily be the poster-person for this blog.  She is always her true self and says (and does) what it needed when it is needed.  She is certainly not one of those celebrities who sits on her throne, expecting the whole world to bow down to her.

Her support for lgbtq rights is unwavering.  It's not just talk either.  You will see Whoopi Goldberg out on the front lines, not just here in the US, but she called a couple of years ago for global solidarity with lgbtq sisters and brothers in Uganda and Nigeria.  She also helped launch the Give A Damn campaign (with Cyndi Lauper).

I could spend the entire morning writing about how this incredible woman is always giving.  I could talk at length about her wonderful movie roles (I actually watched some of the filming of Sister Act ), her comedy, and her daily gig on The View.  Instead, I just want to say happy birthday to this amazing and inspiring woman, and say thanks for making a difference!

Make it stop

Yesterday, as you no doubt already know, there was another church shooting with more than two dozen people killed including the Pastor's daughter and a pregnant women.  Mass shootings have become so common, and sadly so many of them have been happening in churches. 

Remember when churches were considered a safe place to be?  Remember when churches were sanctuaries?  Remember when our country was a safe place?  For some of us it seems like a long time ago.

Killing is happening somewhere every single day.  Hate is at an all time high.  It doesn't have to be this way though.  We can make it stop.  Just recently someone said to me "there will always be hate, but there will always be love too."  I hope they are wrong about the hate.  I really think we have the power to drive hate out and replace it with only love.  We can at least try.

I don't have a specific solution, but I know that when people come together, we can do great things.  Let's do that.  Let's make a difference.  Let's make the killing stop.

Don't forget your clocks

Tomorrow night before bedding down, don't forget your clocks.  Now I know that in some places, Daylight Saving Time is not observed (like in Arizona and parts of Indiana), but for all the rest of you, be sure to set your clock back one hour and get that extra hour of sleep.

Whether you observe Daylight Saving Time in your neck-of-the-woods or not, it's always a good reminder to replace those batteries in your home, especially the ones in your smoke detectors.  Check also to see if all your wall and table clocks are displaying the correct time.

This isn't something I generally write about here, but how can you change the world if your don't even know the correct time?  Let's all do some incredible things this November!  Together we really can be instruments of change!