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“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised.”

~ John Bunyan

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“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”

~ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/just-be.jpg?w=150 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/just-be.jpg?w=300 300w" alt="" data-attachment-id="21640" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/24/just-be-2/just-be-2/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/just-be.jpg" data-orig-size="600,205" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="just-be" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/just-be.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/just-be.jpg?w=600" />

“It’s amazing how quickly nature consumes human places after we turn our backs on them. Life is a hungry thing.”

~ Scott Westerfeld

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/life-is-hungry.jpg?w=150&h=101 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/life-is-hungry.jpg?w=300&h=201 300w" alt="" width="640" height="429" data-attachment-id="21636" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/23/life-is-hungry/life-is-hungry/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/life-is-hungry.jpg" data-orig-size="640,429" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Life is Hungry" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/life-is-hungry.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/life-is-hungry.jpg?w=640" />

“We all have these shades in our nature: it’s a spectrum within all of us.”

~ Johnny Flynn

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/spectrum-within.jpg?w=150 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/spectrum-within.jpg?w=300 300w" alt="" data-attachment-id="21632" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/22/spectrum-within/spectrum-within/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/spectrum-within.jpg" data-orig-size="600,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Spectrum Within" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/spectrum-within.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/spectrum-within.jpg?w=600" />

“If I could write the beauty of your eyes

And in fresh numbers number all your graces,

The age to come would say,

‘This poet lies; Such heavenly touches ne’er touch’d earthly faces.”

~ Sonnet 17; Shakespeare

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/sonnet-17.jpg?w=150&h=150 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/sonnet-17.jpg?w=300&h=300 300w" alt="" width="640" height="640" data-attachment-id="21627" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/21/sonnet-17/sonnet-17/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/sonnet-17.jpg" data-orig-size="640,640" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Sonnet 17" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/sonnet-17.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/sonnet-17.jpg?w=640" />

“Memories are written in the sand that we walk on and cemented by the love in our hearts.”  

~ Anthony T. Hincks

Yesterday, I was honored to walk for my local “Organ Procurement Organization” (Lifebanc), that has helped save or enhance the lives of thousands and thousands of people since it’s inception decades ago.

The event is to generate funds to help educate the public, but it also a day to celebrate the donor families for the amazing gifts their loved ones gave with their last breath. It was a day for organ recipients to celebrate extra days of life and give public thanks for the amazing gifts they received from their donors and it also a day to give hope to those that are actively waiting for that life saving organ.

It is simply not a “stroll” through a serenely beautiful park. It is a truly an emotional journey that is both fun, and at times gut wrenchingly painful.

Yes, there is laughter and hugs ……. but there are many tears shed during the course of the event. Tears of joy, tears of stories of lost loved ones, tears of remembering ……. tears of what could have been …… tears of “what if”.

Even though my family couldn’t join me, my extended family was there to hold me up, to help steady me, to give me strength. We don’t only walk for our donors, but we also walk to give each other hope, and strengthen our souls.

The last few minutes of the event is awe inspiring when we honor all in the “Legacy Garden”. A couple of heartfelt speeches, a song, “Give a Little Bit” (by Supertramp), and a dove release. In the midst of today’s crazy world in which we live, God was looking down and truly smiling.

It was a truly incredible day …. the memories of which are cemented in my mind.

Thank you Lord for ALL gifts you have bestowed upon me. Thank you Benny Keith, and your family, for your gift of life that beats steadily within my chest.

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“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

~ Maya Angelou

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“Faith that perseveres is faith that is strengthened.”

~ Ranal Currie

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Trenton and Jessica celebrated their first anniversary in an unusual way…

http://www.stillthankful.com/blog-1/2019/7/20/how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation

“Destiny is what you are supposed to do in life. Fate is what kicks you in the ass to make you do it.”

~ Henry Miller

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“Life is so much simpler when you stop explaining yourself to people and just do what works for you.”

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/simple-life.jpg?w=150 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/simple-life.jpg?w=300 300w" alt="" data-attachment-id="21605" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/16/simple-life/simple-life/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/simple-life.jpg" data-orig-size="585,334" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Simple Life" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/simple-life.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/simple-life.jpg?w=585" />

“Immerse yourself in the intensity of life. You were born not to hide but to live, so do it every day.”

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“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/kick-in-the-pants.jpg?w=114 114w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/kick-in-the-pants.jpg?w=229 229w" alt="" data-attachment-id="21595" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/14/kick-in-the-pants-2/kick-in-the-pants-2/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/kick-in-the-pants.jpg" data-orig-size="457,600" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Kick In The Pants" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/kick-in-the-pants.jpg?w=229" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/kick-in-the-pants.jpg?w=457" />

“When you feel like your days are gloomy, remember, you’re the only one who can fill your world with sunshine!”

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/gloomy-days.jpg?w=150 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/gloomy-days.jpg?w=300 300w" alt="" data-attachment-id="21582" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/13/gloomy-days/gloomy-days/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/gloomy-days.jpg" data-orig-size="500,437" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Gloomy Days" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/gloomy-days.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/gloomy-days.jpg?w=500" />

“Death gives meaning to our lives. It gives importance and value to time. Time is meaningless if there were too much of it.”

~ Kurzweil

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/value-of-time.jpg?w=150&h=64 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/value-of-time.jpg?w=300&h=128 300w" alt="" width="640" height="272" data-attachment-id="21579" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/value-of-time/value-of-time/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/value-of-time.jpg" data-orig-size="640,272" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Value Of Time" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/value-of-time.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/value-of-time.jpg?w=640" />

“How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

~ William Shakespeare

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/candlelight.jpg?w=150&h=79 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/candlelight.jpg?w=300&h=159 300w" alt="" width="640" height="339" data-attachment-id="21576" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/11/little-candle/candlelight/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/candlelight.jpg" data-orig-size="640,339" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Candlelight" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/candlelight.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/candlelight.jpg?w=640" />

“I may be a living legend, but that sure don’t help when I’ve got to change a flat tire.”

~ Roy Orbison

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/living-legend.jpg?w=150&h=100 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/living-legend.jpg?w=300&h=200 300w" alt="" width="640" height="427" data-attachment-id="21573" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/living-legend/living-legend/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/living-legend.jpg" data-orig-size="640,427" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Living Legend" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/living-legend.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/living-legend.jpg?w=640" />

“Soon silence will have passed into legend. Man has turned his back on silence. Day after day he invents machines and devices that increase noise and distract humanity from the essence of life, contemplation, meditation.”

~ Jean Arp

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/silence.jpeg?w=150&h=100 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/silence.jpeg?w=300&h=200 300w" alt="" width="640" height="426" data-attachment-id="21570" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/09/silence-9/silence-9/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/silence.jpeg" data-orig-size="640,426" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Silence" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/silence.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/silence.jpeg?w=640" />

Reading is dreaming with open eyes.”

~ YoYo

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/reading.jpg?w=150&h=102 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/reading.jpg?w=300&h=205 300w" alt="" width="640" height="437" data-attachment-id="21567" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/08/reading-4/reading-4/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/reading.jpg" data-orig-size="640,437" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Reading" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/reading.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/reading.jpg?w=640" />

“A broken hand works, but not a broken heart.”

~ Persian Proverb

https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/broken_heart.jpg?w=150&h=141 150w, https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/broken_heart.jpg?w=300&h=282 300w" alt="" width="640" height="602" data-attachment-id="21564" data-permalink="https://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/broken-heart/broken_heart-2/" data-orig-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/broken_heart.jpg" data-orig-size="640,602" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="broken_heart" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/broken_heart.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://my2ndheartbeat.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/broken_heart.jpg?w=640" />