While researching different Valentine stories and gift ideas for my articles, I came across several stories that touched my heart more than any gift I could have received. I decided to share with you, and hopefully spread a little of the love that this day is supposed to be about.
The story I wanted to bring to you first today is about a family who has lost a lot and are still holding on to hope. Neil and Miranda Goranflo from Louisville, KY lost there seven year old daughter, Hailey Brianne Goranflo, in January to a rare disease which has no cure. Now their four year old son, Carter, also has this disease. They have launched a campaign to try and raise a million dollars by Valentine's Day to help fund research at Cornell University, which may be lifesaving to those with Batten disease.
Batten disease is considered fatal, it is inherited, and begins in early childhood, with symptoms usually appearing between ages 2 and 4 years old. Some of the early signs are vision problems and seizures, but can be much less noticeable, for instance, personality changes, changes in behavior, clumsiness, stumbling, and these can slowly progress.
Their story has been on television, in news reports, and on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=265355392101&ref=nf They have a website http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=265355392101&ref=nf created to tell Carter and Hailey's story, and instructions for those who wish to donate. All they are asking for is $10, sent on Valentine's from each person who can donate, and they stress that if you cannot, it is fine, they still appreciate your thoughts, concerns, and prayers. The money donated will fund research gene therapy, which not only has promise of helping find a cure for Batten disease, but may help with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Cystic Fibrosis, AIDS, and many others. If you cannot donate, I ask that you please remember Carter in your thoughts and prayers.The story I wanted to bring to you first today is about a family who has lost a lot and are still holding on to hope. Neil and Miranda Goranflo from Louisville, KY lost there seven year old daughter, Hailey Brianne Goranflo, in January to a rare disease which has no cure. Now their four year old son, Carter, also has this disease. They have launched a campaign to try and raise a million dollars by Valentine's Day to help fund research at Cornell University, which may be lifesaving to those with Batten disease.
Batten disease is considered fatal, it is inherited, and begins in early childhood, with symptoms usually appearing between ages 2 and 4 years old. Some of the early signs are vision problems and seizures, but can be much less noticeable, for instance, personality changes, changes in behavior, clumsiness, stumbling, and these can slowly progress.
Another story that touches my heart this Valentine's weekend is, of course, Haiti. There are so many stories out there right now about this that perhaps we have become desensitized. I want you to just imagine, for a moment, that you are in your home, in the afternoon on any given day. Perhaps you are about to start dinner, standing in the kitchen as the kids are doing their homework at the table. Your spouse is still at work, and should be home in about an hour.
You decide on a recipe that is common to your family, Calalou, which contains crab meat, salt pork, onions, spinach, okra and peppers. The scent of the meat cooking is in the air, and your stomach growls a little. You begin to dice onions, and the juice causes your eyes to water a bit. You and the kids tease about you crying over the death of the onions.
Suddenly, from nowhere, the whole world starts to shake violently. Your heart jumps in your chest and you are disoriented immediately, as your first instincts rush to try to figure out what is happening and how to survive. Fight or flight response makes you want to run, but there is no where to run, everything is collapsing around you. The kids scream.
Now move ahead a few weeks. Your spouse has not yet been found. You are in a camp, living in a make shift tent, thankful for at least that. One of the kids had to have their right arm amputated from where it was crushed, but thank God both kids made it out alive. Your legs were trapped beneath a beam from the ceiling and you cannot walk just yet. Every day you hope and pray that infection doesn't set in any of the wounds that you have. Now the rainy season is arriving. Everything is wet, you are trying to avoid infection, and although the donations from people around the world have gotten you and your kids food and medicine, you desperately need a dry place to sleep.
You decide on a recipe that is common to your family, Calalou, which contains crab meat, salt pork, onions, spinach, okra and peppers. The scent of the meat cooking is in the air, and your stomach growls a little. You begin to dice onions, and the juice causes your eyes to water a bit. You and the kids tease about you crying over the death of the onions.
Suddenly, from nowhere, the whole world starts to shake violently. Your heart jumps in your chest and you are disoriented immediately, as your first instincts rush to try to figure out what is happening and how to survive. Fight or flight response makes you want to run, but there is no where to run, everything is collapsing around you. The kids scream.
Now move ahead a few weeks. Your spouse has not yet been found. You are in a camp, living in a make shift tent, thankful for at least that. One of the kids had to have their right arm amputated from where it was crushed, but thank God both kids made it out alive. Your legs were trapped beneath a beam from the ceiling and you cannot walk just yet. Every day you hope and pray that infection doesn't set in any of the wounds that you have. Now the rainy season is arriving. Everything is wet, you are trying to avoid infection, and although the donations from people around the world have gotten you and your kids food and medicine, you desperately need a dry place to sleep.
This is a watered down version of reality for the people of Haiti right now. As we open gifts of chocolate and diamonds, they are praying for dry clothes. As we lay in hotel beds on silk sheets, sipping champagne, they cry out for clean water and a dry spot to sleep, anywhere, even on the ground. Yes, a lot of money has been raised, and yes this is a sad story to be reading for Valentine's, but as I have said day after day, it is about love. And no, love does not cost a thing, but giving from the heart, even small amounts, to those in need is priceless. For those with cell phones, as I am sure you have already seen, you can donate $10 by texting HAITI to 90999. To avoid being scammed, I suggest you donate directly through the Red Cross. http://newsroom.redcross.org/2010/01/12/disaster-alert-earthquake-in-haiti/
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
The word "charity" in the Holy Bible, translates into "love." For us, charity is giving. What greater gift, than the gift of love?
I hope these stories have touched you in some way. Please, remember that even if you cannot donate, you can say a prayer for all of those in desperate need this Valentine's day. Thanks for reading, and comments are welcome. Happy Valentine's Day!
~Angela Kaye Mason~
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