locks




	Write 2 The Heart November 1, 2005 Welcome to your latest issue of Write 2 the Heart. Write 2 the Heart is sent by subscription only. Unsubscribe instructions appear at the end of this letter. I believe that Locks of Love is a wonderful program. I am so impressed with young Alexandra for wanting to participate in it. Alexandra’s Locks of Love By: Kathy Whirity I have known Alexandra almost her whole life. She came to my daycare at the delicate age of three months and stayed until she went off to kindergarten, which was this past year. Binnie, as her mom so affectionately nicknamed her, was like the Energizer Bunny. She never stopped moving, never sat still or slowed down. No matter what was going on, at any given time, she was always a step or two ahead of the other children. She has the sweet, outgoing personality of her mom and a heart of gold, giving attitude like her dad. I know that her character is partly the result of her parent's wholesome, faith based qualities but there is also a genuine sense of perception that is all Binnie. In all of her five years she has shown a unique sense of caring for others that truly surpasses her age. She has brought much joy to my days. Knowing my absolute love for Coke Slurpees, this tiny tot would sometimes insist that her mom stop to get me one before work. Many a morning Heather would find herself in the middle of the breakfast rush at Burger King to get a frozen coke me. Binnie's sole goal was to surprise me - and surprise me she did with her thoughtfulness. For whatever reason, Binnie hated when I'd refer to myself as an old lady. Usually I'd save this remark and dramatize the effect as I'd try to cajole the kids into helping to pick up the toys. Whether Binnie saw right through the charade or saw me as just a big kid, I'll never know. I'd like to treasure the memory as a compliment that she saw past the gray hairs to really appreciate the 'kid' in me. As a toddler in my care Binnie was always slightly hyper, regularly rambunctious and always did everything with lots of love. Her antics awarded her the moniker, Binnie the bull. At five years old she still lives life large - with lots of love and plenty of pizzazz. But we no longer think of her as a bull in a China shop. She has grown into a little lady with a big heart. I see her only once in awhile now. She sometimes comes with her mom to pick up her little brother, David, who spends his toddler days with me. The other day I commented on how long her hair has gotten. It's almost to her waist. When she explained her reason for growing it so long I realized just how grown up she had become. She made up her mind she wasn't going to have it cut until it was long enough to donate it to Locks Of Love - A program that weaves human hair into wigs for children who have lost theirs due to cancer or illness. Last week, Binnie and her mom had an appointment at the beauty salon. She was so excited because she knew she was doing a good deed. It is what motivated her to sit still and tall in the chair as the hairstylist cut the long ponytail of hair hanging down Binnie's back. I like to think of Binnie as an old soul in a young body. Most kids her age wouldn't even grasp the concept, let alone part with their hair to help a total stranger. Locks Of Love is a wonderful program dedicated to helping children. It is a priceless opportunity for children to help other children by giving a selfless gift of themselves, something that – like love - will continue to grow. Kaathy Whirity kathywhirity @ yahoo.com Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago with her husband of 28 years, Bill, and their two daughters Jaime and Katie. Kathy is a columnist for two area newspapers where she shares her sentimental musings on family life. Did you enjoy today’s story? Send the writer an email to let them know. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com Letters From Our Readers I truly enjoyed your story, and my heart goes out to you. My uncle, a Catholic priest was trapped in Mercy hospital in New Orleans for almost a week before they were evacuated. I have a writer friend named Katrina who underwent some cruel jokes because of her name; that prompted her to create a website, called "Katrina Heals"to aid in the healing after Katrina. She is accepting stories and letters from and for Katrina survivors and their families. Here's the web site in case you're interested. http://www.feistyscribe.com/katrinaheals.htm Always, Debbie Roppolo Hi Cheryl, What an ordeal you went through, and yet you came through it relatively unscathed. I love how the neighbours all banded together to help and now are a tighter community. Too bad it takes a catastrophe for kindness to happen. I am relieved you and yours are okay, as so many have suffered greatly. We live in a land- locked area of Canada and don't have to worry about hurricanes, thank goodness, but when I see the devastation they can cause, I am not going to complain about the snow and cold this winter. I would rather have winter than a hurricane any day. Blessings to you. Maria Cheryl, I just finished reading the visual, interesting story you wrote of what took place in your area with the hurricane Katrina. I had wondered what had happened to the newsletter but I thought it had something to do with my computer or with my servers at MSN. I did not know you were in the path of Katrina. It is wonderful how all the neighbors came to the aid of each other and also it was a learning experience about being thankful " for our daily bread" We take so many of our blessings for granted until one day...they are gone. I am so thankful that you and all your loved ones are ok and it sounds like a wonderful idea your hubby had to get a little air. The neighborhood barbecue made me think of Thanksgiving Day sharing with each other. I sure do thank you for sharing this first hand story of what happened in your neighborhood and I pray God will continue to send all types of comfort your way. God bless you and yours, Maggie Scott mleescot t@ msn.com Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Tim Speir Alan Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Hadassah Chanz Wackerly David Habighurst Tonia Melissa Bair Matthew Nutter Seth Jarrell Matt Hall Donald Wayne West Frank Schambach, Jr. Mark M. Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. Have you visited our new bookstore? It’s located at http://www.write2theheart.com/html/book_store.html You will find wonderful books written by, or that include stories by many of our talented writers. You will also find books that aide the budding writer. I highly recommend “Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Guide,” and “2005 Writer’s Market.” Both are must haves for all serious writers. They are great tools to find that perfect market for your writing. Cheryl’s Corner A speeding motorist rear-ended the vehicle that my Daughter- in-law Junie, her mother, a young cousin and my two grandsons were riding in. Their vehicle rolled and Junie was thrown through a window. The three children, strapped in their car seats, were hanging upside down. Later grandson Drew giggled that his brother Tyler looked like a bat hanging upside down. The whole family is rejoicing that things were not as bad as they could have been. I received the following email from Junie: I just got my hospital bill! Pharmacy for 6 pills (that I could have gotten at Walgreen’s for ten dollars) $238.01 Lab/chemistry (pregnancy test I could have again gotten at Walgreen’s for $6) $122.00 Dx X-Ray (couldn't get at Walgreen’s) 292.00 Emergency room 642.00 Trauma Level 111 $1500.00 Pro Fee/ER 288.00 The hospital total $3082.01. But we can't forget the ride to the hospital $1177. Grand Total $4259.01! Still have not gotten the doctor’s bills. Getting thrown from a car window and being alive to talk about it…priceless!! I couldn’t agree more! God bless, Cheryl Copyright © 2005, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors. Write 2 the Heart does not share subscribers names or emails with third parties.