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[Branch]

You're most welcome!

I love this story about a Chain of Love:

Chain Of Love


"How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?" Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. "How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?"

Ms. Keller"s answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. "If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown."

According to speaker Zig Ziglar, "Little Annie" Sullivan, as she was called when she was young, was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself (due to a childhood fever) and was, at one time, diagnosed as hopelessly "insane" by her by caregivers. She was locked in the basement of a mental institution outside of Boston. On occasion, Little Annie would violently attack anyone who came near. Most of the time she generally ignored everyone in her presence.

An elderly nurse believed there was hope, however, and she made it her mission to show love to the child. Every day she visited Little Annie. For the most part, the child did not acknowledge the nurse"s presence, but she still continued to visit. The kindly woman left cookies for her and spoke words of love and encouragement. She believed Little Annie could recover, if only she were shown love.

Eventually, doctors noticed a change in the girl. Where they once witnessed anger and hostility, they now noted an emerging gentleness and love. They moved her upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day finally came when this seemingly "hopeless" child was released.

Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she, herself, was helped by the kindly nurse. It was she who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined her, played with her, pushed her and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon of light to the world. Anne Sullivan worked wonders in Helen"s life; but it was a loving nurse who first believed in Little Annie and lovingly transformed an uncommunicative child into a compassionate teacher.

"If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown." But if it had not been for a kind and dedicated nurse, the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown. And so it goes. Just how far back does the chain of redemption extend? And how for forward will it lead?

Those you have sought to reach, whether they be in your family or elsewhere, are part of a chain of love that can extend through the generations. Your influence on their lives, whether or not you see results, is immeasurable. Your legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for years to come.

You can never overestimate the power of your love. It is a fire that, once lit, may burn forever.*


*Remember that last line when find yourself in moments of deep despair.  Don't let grief douse the flame of your love or the love you have known.

[sosad]

I wasn't aware of the hardships of Annie Sullivan as a child.

This is the true meaning of paying it forward.

So Sad

[Branch]

You're right!

[served]

Thanks Branch. I was aware of Annie Sullivan's visions problems but had no idea of the other hardships she faced...I have alway's loved the Helen Keller story and movies. Still think I like the one with Patty Duke and Ann Bancroft the best..Melissa Gilbert one wasn't bad and there was another one about 10 years ago, I think...

I have to confess that right now in my life, I sometimes feel guilty when I read these types of stories. These people overcame incredible hardships and challenges. It is like they didn't have even one day that would  hold a candle to all my happy years ..I had SOOOOO much . Now it is hard to stir up any desire to keep moving forward never mind being so inspirational in taking on the challenges.
Does anyone else feel this way?
Served/Donna

[Branch]

Well duh!  That's why the Inspiration Corner thread was started.

If you want, you can go out the door and come back in and we'll pretend you're entering for the first time.  Wanna?




Oh please tell me you're laughing, please tell me you know I'm teasing you with affection.

[sosad]

I feel the same way, Served. 

How in the world did they do it, and where did they find the courage and intestinal fortitude to find the strength to move forward.

I say, shame on me, for not even trying to make the effort.  I sincerely hope this will change.

Branch, I will also go out the door and then Served and I will walk back in hand in hand.

So Sad

[Branch]

Because there were no alternatives.  That's what I'm thinking.

If you don't think there's fortitude in getting out of bed every morning, then lemme tell you, there is.

If you don't think there's fortitude in practicing hygiene every day, then lemme tell you, there is.

If you don't think there's fortitude in keeping the bills paid every month, then lemme tell you, there is.

And, there's more.  You know there is more.

Read the story again, Anne Sullivan was a mess.  Someone chose to take a chance on her.  She fought the person at first, likely because she didn't trust, she had no faith, but the chance had been taken and the person did not give up.  It appears to me that Anne was given a glimmer of hope.  She didn't see the way things were as an alternative, therefore, having no alternative, she daily tested and put more faith in the glimmer of hope.  Her experience enabled her to take a similar chance on Helen Keller, to give Helen a similar opportunity, to take away alternatives from Helen.

By searching the web for whatever it was you searched that lead you to GJ is an example of the chance you've taken on yourself and your effort to change your alternatives.  Now that you've taken the chance, I hope you won't give up.  Look at yourself as if from a distance; I believe you'll see more than a glimmer of fortitude. 

[served]

O.K Branch. your "gentle indirect" message made me burst out laughing. I hate it when you beat around the bush.
Thanks for keeping me company Sosad...we can make a grand entrance.
 I also know that there is a chance I may need to do this grand re-entrance thing again .....
Will try to stay in the room but some days I get lost.
Served/Donna

[DieNarrin]

I think we could all use a re-enterance...

Maybe a "bunny-hop" is in order?

[Branch]

Y'all are gracious and I want you to know that I appreciate that - very, very much.

I can appear to be tough and sometimes I actually am tough, but the reason for the toughness is gentle and caring.

Hope y'all have the knees for hopping!

[sosad]

I don't find you tough, Branch, you are gentle and caring.

As for your lessons in fortitude, that is definitely a new perspective for me.  Here I am, thinking myself completely gutless and without purpose, and you come along, shake my shoulders and put me up by my bootstraps.

All I can say is, wow, I didn't realize how much I have accomplished. Thank you for opening my eyes. 

So Sad

[Branch]

You've accomplished a lot!  Make sure you keep those eyes opens so you miss a few of your accomplishments as possible.  K?

[served]

Branch we are all on to you!!! We know what a kind caring and gentle soul you are!!! No sense trying to hide it.
Oh my bad...you don't hide it
 
Served/Donna

[sosad]

Okay, Branch.  I guess if I was able to get this far, I can continue onward and upward.  Onward and upward.  Those were my husband's words when things seemed bleak.  It's so difficult for me to be as optimistic as he was, but I'm trying.

I always seem to be saying 'I can't' all the while doing what I said 'I can't' do.  Is there a word for that type of thought/action?

So Sad

[PaStfe]

SoSad,

It's called "perseverance" - one definition: continuance in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory.  "Persevere": to persist in any enterprise undertaken in spite of counter influences, opposition, etc."  - Kind of sounds like where we are all at - doesn't it?

I don't think that being sad and occasionally falling into our blue funks means that we are not persevering - we are - you are.  I'm proud of you. I'm proud of all of the new people I've met through GJ.  All of you are persevering and I'm glad that I have kindred spirits with me on this road.

PaStfe