November 13, 2008

winner winner chicken dinner

picture from the very cool cindymindypindy etsy shop.

I’ve spent the last two days reading over 130 comments . . . and they all made me feel so good! I am so lucky to have a group of blog friends who are willing and ready to boost my spirits with hilarious youtube videos, happy memories, festive holiday ideas, a yummy cookie recipe, virtual hugs and prayers, “make me blush” (but welcome) compliments, lyrics to happy songs, a shiba puppy webcam, inside jokes (“I hate birds” and “hi buddy” were the best), spiritual words of wisdom, movie recommendations, encouraging poems, anecdotes about your children, chocolate, inspiring blog posts, gingersnap cookie offers, and by sharing your stories of strength. I’ve been amazed to see how each of you deal with your struggles and “sad days”. while I wish I could give each of you (my blogger sisters) a pretty pair of earrings, I feel that one dear woman’s story lifted me to a higher level this week.

I’m not going to say that reading what debra palomo wrote didn’t make me thankful for how good I have it. to be honest, I expected to be cheered up by a funny story more than one that made me cry. I did feel plenty of welcome smiles across my face while reading brianne’s embarrassing moment at the mindy gledhill concert (ha!), kelly and kim’s “beautiful mind” mathematical equation, bumbabum’s funny “chicken child” story and I'm still laughing about sarah's "satan text". but most of all, I was incredibly touched by debra’s amazing strength. she wrote:

My husband passed away from a small plane crash leaving me a single mom of two boys with many hurdles to jump. Today I bought my oldest son a bike. Put it together BY MYSELF! And taught him how to ride. This was a HUGE accomplishment for both of us! And after he had the riding down real good, he stopped and said, "My dad is proud of me right now!" This may not make you happy, but I can’t stop smiling. One hurdle we cleared! :) And you're pretty!

debra, your fantastic attitude of “one hurdle cleared” is so pro-active! I’m not so naïve to think that you didn’t/don’t have your days of heartache and pain, obviously we all do, but I’m so grateful to have felt a surge of strength through your comment. thank you. needless to say, you won some pretty earrings! please e-mail me with your information mailto:elizabethabryant@gmail.com).

20 comments:

  1. Liz-
    you are such a wonderful example of charity. you have inspired me to be giving, thoughtful and grateful from your give-a-way. thank you for doing this! i am sure that these earrings will make debra so happy. thank you for picking her!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i had read her comment too. good for you, debra! it must have been a terrible tragedy for you and your kids. i'm also inspired by her can-do attitude.

    ReplyDelete
  3. aw, that comment made me cry too (in a very good way)! good for you Debra! another example of a strong, positive woman! i seems to be finding the most inspiring blogs these days of women who really show me who i want to be, i love it!
    happy day to you Lizzy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so glad they alll made you feel better!

    I'm really glad you chose the winner you chose - Debra deserves those beauties! I hope you blog soon about some really cute earrings you buy for yourself too!

    BTW - I love your blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great job picking your winner! She definitely deserves the treat!

    ReplyDelete
  6. YEA!!!! I am glad to see she won! It was well deserved. So glad that my "text" made you laugh=) I still laugh at myself when I think of it. It is good to have a funny story to fall back on when the going gets tough.
    Sarah B

    ReplyDelete
  7. Debra, congratulations on overcoming another hurdle and also in being the recipient of the earrings. :)

    Lizzy, it is heartwarming to read your blog and to see the many ways that people reached out to try to lift your blue mood. That in itself makes me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  8. As one who lost out on the earrings I have to admit that Debra's post was the one that grabbed me, too.

    Rock on, Debra!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I had to post a comment about this post because Debra's comment just made me get teary. What her son said is so sweet, and I can imagine that he really did feel at that moment that his dad was looking down on him & so proud! Whoever Debra is, she definately deserves the cute earings! Great job Debra on overcoming another hurdle and being happy for your kids at times like that when I would probably want to cry instead! I'm so glad she shared that story and that you did too Liz!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a sweet, encouraging story. Bless Debra's heart.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Even though I really loved the earrings and would have loves sporting them on my ears I am so grateful Debra won! She deserves them. The main goal of my comment was to make Lizzy smile and anyone else who read it. So mission accomlished on my part :) Enjoy the earrings Debra you deserve it and so much more!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was also touched by this story.

    ReplyDelete
  13. way to go Debra. and Lizzy, I am glad you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  14. How absolutely lovely. What a great choice, Lizzy. Beautiful.

    I had go read Debra's post and it touched my heart. It made me so happy for Debra, despite my tears. It was such a short little comment, but it certainly read volumes into the person Debra is and the son she is raising. Bravo!

    I am continually lifted up by the beautiful people writing and commenting in blogs. What a joy you all are to me!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm glad Debra won. She is one of my dear friends, and you should of seen her this morning dropping her son off at preschool... she was so excited and that she had won these earrings. I couldnt wait for her to post, so I could hear the details and be linked to your blog. She is a wonderful Mother and a great example to me.. and many others. Way to go Debra!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you Lizzy, for sharing that and thank you Debra for your amazing attitude.

    We have just been through a very similar situation at our house. I was more than blessed to have my husband live through the ordeal but another friend of ours did not. He left behind a beautiful wife, two little boys and a precious daughter. Debra's post made me think of them. I pray and pray that they will feel him near them every day and that they will be able to talk of him as if he is there and without tears. Debra's post gave me hope for that day.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Perfect one to pick.
    Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Left you something on my blog...don't feel obligated but I wanted to share!

    ReplyDelete
  19. One of the things I love about reading blogs by incredible women is discovering other amazing moms/women in this world. I draw such strength from all of you! Way to go, Debra and Lizzy!

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated to eliminate spammers and internet bullies.