Indeed, this image sums 2013 up for me!!! It reminds me that I didn't have it all together and that there were a lot of difficult times this year. But who wants to focus on the struggles as we approach a New Year? Why not key in to the blessings, grace and favor of God rather than the challenges of life? Well, today I discovered a simple way to do this from an idea shared by 95.1 Shine FM on Facebook.
I am so excited about this idea because it meshes so well with an outreach I partook in this Season: Jars of Joy Baltimore. To top it all, I was also given a Jar, something I cherish, albeit so simple! I feel so special to have my own jar, and now I can put it to good use!
Ready for those "Pressin' Blessings" No excuses; just jot 'em down!
So we've coined it our Good Year Jar
What will you call yours?
Awaiting the Awesome Wonders of 2014!
-Lyrics by tia
12/27/13
For the last few days of the year, we will revisit our most popular posts: The Best of 2013
Infinity and a day I'm here to stay Come what may Committed to a lifetime Of yays and nays
Infinity and reflection We don't have perfection But we do have hope That HE that started this thing Can make it never ending
Infinity in His presence For as iron sharpens Iron We've been given A challenge like no other The refiners fire A forum where GOD develops the best me And the best you I'm willing to work at it together For infinity and forever
Before August 20, 2013, I had no clue who Henrietta Lacks was, but when
I read the preface of the book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot on that same evening, I immediately knew that I needed to know who she was! I continued grasping her remarkable story
via the excellently composed audiobook and every chance I got, I would
continue this intriguing enhancement of my education: as background in the car as I drove; listening outside as my
kids played; and in the kitchen as I cooked and cleaned. And like when you meet someone new for the first time, suddenly I began to see her everywhere! There was also a very long wait list for reserving a copy of the book/audiobook at all the public libraries. That's really said something to me!
I became especially intrigued as I learned that her story unfolded here
in Baltimore. I listened as places of familiarity were mentioned, like the Johns
Hopkins Medical Institute (JHMI) and the majestic statue of Jesus, "Christus Consolator", that stands in one of its historic buildings.
Original photograph
Original photograph
I visited the very spot to see his extended right toe that she had rubbed 50 years ago, praying
for safety and protection during her procedures. I began to feel so connected and I decided that I too would attend the honorary event
that was held on today at JHMI.
As I grabbed my continental breakfast and sat to observe, I realized
that i was not the only one intrigued by Mrs. Lacks story. Hundreds of people
came in and soon the auditorium was filled, with others in over flow areas. I could only imagine what affiliation each individual has, and
maybe many people came just as I:
because they felt connected to Mrs. Lack's contributions and experience.
You see, as I read the first few pages of the book, I realized that I too had
encountered HeLa cells, and that I too may have held a vial of those immortal
cells in my hands during my preliminary undergraduate research.
As the years have gone by, I have supported clinical research in
several ways which I felt was my duty as a researcher and future clinician. I
felt that if one day I were to need the trust of other people to engage them in ideas that I determine will make an impact for
the greater good, that I too must be willing to be a participant, enhancing
science and community health.
So today I'm left inspired, especially after hearing from two of Mrs.
Lacks actual family members: her great-grand daughter and her grandson. I feel
honored to have been in attendance and become a part of this rich history in science and community involvement in
finding cures for the masses.
It's kind of odd to thank Mrs. Lacks for all of the advances
her immortal cells have made, because she didn't knowingly contribute to
science. However, I do think that the family who has survived more than 50 years with the knowledge of this, truly
deserves thanks and much more! This is why I feel so honored to have been in
the same room with them, hearing their thoughts and witnessing their humanity.
Aside from the living, breathing, powerful Word of God, I've never seen a book
come to life as I have seen these past several weeks. I am honored to see history
created right before my eyes. I agree with Dr. Gary H. Gibbons, the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health for honoring Mrs. Henrietta Lacks as a "Matriarch of Biomedical Citizen-Science".
Truly a few new terms appeared to have been coined on today, and I am glad to have been a witness. I join in to show
gratitude for the extraordinary contributions of Henrietta Lack's immortal cells
and her family who have chosen to be in support. I truly commend you and truly believe that in
giving as you have, you will receive so much more.
tia with images of a variety of HeLa Cells that have impacted Biomedical Research
The first time I heard my sons' cries, my response was exactly the same. I mean, imagine that moment when a person doesn't exist and then the next moment they do, and they proclaim their arrival with a strong, wailing greeting.
Praise exploded from my heart at that moment!
Unrestrained and unrestricted praise.
I couldn't have cared less about the OBs, Nurses, Anesthesiology, Techs and others present
I actually couldn't help myself and I couldn't contain it.
Both were amazing moments.
From their first cries till now, my MJ still compels me to praise. I'm sure you know what I mean.
When we look them over...you know, tilt our heads to the side and look real close at their features...
How likened they are to us and/or our spouses? Fearful at times at the resemblance?
I look at how wondrously they are made and again I am compelled to praise. "My God! You are wonderful!"
What about how they surprise us at the intricate details and knowledge
That they soak up moment by moment, without our intervention?
We think 'How could someone so small be so smart?'
When they say witty things, we wonder how this whole person could have come out from us!: "I am actually a parent! Who would have thought? Thank You, Jesus!"
And when we look at how they are literally maturing before our eyes,
Becoming more handsome and more beautiful, and think 'What a perfect blend of genes! LORD, You are amazing!
GOD is worthy of all this praise, for HE designed them specially to bring us joy in life.
So my dear children, my MJ, thank you for inspiring me to praise.
For inspiring me to praise through my example to you.
Praise through my love and service to you as your mom;
Through discipline, as I envision the astute men you will one day be.
Inspired to draw closer to the Lord so that I can teach you the things of God;
The pleasures of knowing HIM in your youth,
In being so near and dear to Him that he orchestrates your plans,
Giving you opportunities that I didn't have
Praise through my work because all that I am today
Is because you inspired me to do better,
You are the reason my life has changed today,
Because you inspired me to get off my butt and get out the door to make something happen!
