Hello all this is my first post after being released from Brigham and Woman’s on Sunday from Brainsurgeryon Friday morning to remove a reoccurrence of brain cancer that had been found that I had a new tumor the size of an orange. My wife being very intuitive and connected to me saw something not quite correct in the way I was going about my daily affairs. She stayed on point and got me to the doctors expecting the best but fearing the dreaded words it’s back. Glio Blastoma is a vicious non curable cancer that is all about one thing killing the brain. It takes just one lone cell weeks to multiply into a killing army. I had the head neuro surgeon Dr.l Chiocca. said that in 300ocases he had not seen a case like mine.The night before my surgery Thursday evening one of my closest and best friends who is the healthcare business flew in with his wife and the they prayed with us and he helped to prep me for surgery shower shave etc. a humble man a Roman Cathoilc deacon and a COO of a huge nonprofit with global reach. So, as I say God has us andwe can do anything if we will say yesto his call to service. Paul was Jesus to me serving my needs as Jesus humbled himself on Holy Thursday night by washing his Apostles feet. we are called to serv Being in the hospital on May 1st I kept saying it’s the month of Mary I felt her presence with me as I lay in bed asking for her intercession for my needs from her son Jesus Christ. What son does not listen to his moms beconing ?
So,
My Blessed Mother is my prayer partner along with the Holy Spirit from God they make my life and soul joyful through the tough moments in my day and this life nothing is too great that God cannot handle. So it was not this time Glio vrs Danny this time around my faith allowed me to accept God into my battle and he drew his strength and laid the blessings upon my wife and myself, my superb Dr’s and hospital my friends and family and I walked from the hospital once again to start my new day with visiting nurses. Pt aides etc.
So glad to be alive. But do not fear tomorrow either.
keep the faith no matter what you are going through God and his legion of angels is never far from us he just requires us to believe that he will do what we cannot.
Today I am saying Thankyou to my life long friend. This friend knew me before I knew him. He along with my mom and dad helped me to grow,to understand his ways and to be safe during my early years. He certainly has never left my side even though at times I certainly wandered from his. My friend was at the Alter of the church as my bride Janet and I were wed nearly 30 years ago. But heck why wouldn’t he be , after all he put us together while we were working at the grocery store in our early college years. He knew what we needed before we did.
My friend helped to give me courage as a young married husband to step out of the boat of life onto the water and begin a family business with my brothers knowing by faith that somehow our friend was there in that moment helping us to make things happen.Our friend wants our success. It’s then that we can help others.
Because of our friend life his creation came forward as my wife Janet and I welcomed our first child Dan Jr. Into the world.
Our Dear friend was with us as we lost our second son at two weeks old Brad Michael was born with heart disease. As our beautiful baby Brad Michael was laid to rest, We as a family stood there stunned and broken. By his grave on a beautiful April day we watched the undertaker carry his small casket to our family grave. In our broken condition the things that we clung to was our little boy Danny jr. Who was around 2 AND we felt Our families and friends arms firmly around us . His passing as the years have taught us was not not in vein nor was his passing our families life long tradgedy You see Brads case opened up all kinds of studies whereas his case was rare at that time. Brad was born with single right ventricle and pulmonary stenosis. His Doctors and Children’s were so wonderful kind and compassionate. Brads passing also blessed other families and children whereas we donated his organs for other people in need.
God did not make our Brad I’ll. That is due to the inprefection of this world and life we are not in the garden of Eden. That’s why Jesus came to give us hope.
Brad was a special gift that altered our reality of this world and its connection to the next Heavely life. He saved our family. ❌⭕️
Brad changed the depth of our entire families faith. His presence is felt daily in our lives and we love him and he loves us. Love is eternal because it is from God.
We were blessed to welcome 3 more children/ daughters to our family and God was with us in the delivery room and heard the words congratulations you have a beautiful and health beautiful girl too. 🙂
My friend was with me as the doctors told me that I was terminally ill and my friend told me I had cancer, cancer was not from him and I do not own this cancer. My friend set a peace upon my heart and in my soul that has never left me.
Our friend was with my family as my mom prepared to leave this earthy existence. My mom was talking to Jesus and was talking to his mother Mary OUR Blessed mother very shortly before her departure and my mom was calm as she took our friend, Jesus hand and went to meet her family and friends who awaited her.My mom is remembered daily , hourly, in the moment and in the second because she is surrounding us with love. Amen.
My friend is with me now in this moment guiding my writing and filling this page with his beauty.
Our friend is the best friend that you will have or need. This week in my church is a reminder of what our friend Jesus has done for us it is Palm Sunday, the Passion of our Lord and Savior this day. This week reminds of that our friend Jesus fulfilled his Earthly life as the only Divine human to ever be born and his destiny if he accepted this cup was to die for mankind/ our sins. He took that cup and that is why we live with the hope that this is in fact act 1 for us as humans.
I have come to appreciate in the last 5 years that when you have a personal challenge there is nothing more important that reaching out and advocating for what We perceive that We need. It was not the normal action that I would take in the past I never pushed or asked Anything of anyone. I was self sufficient . When I hit a wall I just excepted what I was told and what the outcome might be . Since Cancer and hearing the terminal word I just kinda changed my modes operundum I began to try and make things happened and my success that I have achieved has then been shared personally by me with many others in various ways. In life it is not about us only. My feeling is that Gods got me here in this moment to help others to show others what he can do. And I give God all of the glory for my being here in this moment. And, I am very thankful.
If Jesus was all about himself then he would not have taken our sins upon himself nor would he have allowed himself to be tortured and murdered for our benefit.
This song holds a great deal of significance to me. Listen to the words. Look what our Savior has done for us. He is loving and generous indeed.
With the onset of my Cancer which began 4 years ago on 3-31-2012. I began to realize that if I was to fight this terminal cancer that I needed to push myself so that the establishment whether It be the doctors,hospitals , physical therapist insurance company right down to home care that was in my home and in my life that there is but one Author of life and who created all. That is God. No one knows anything personally except that our God/ higher power if you wish is the only one who can give you how much time you have to live. He decides. I then had to decide. to open myself up and speak the hope and victory that God had placed in my heart. I then needed to summons the courage and let my voice be heard. Well, because of prayer Gods courage filled me and I was able to speak the words of my heart, my desires and what God had told me in my Spirit. My journey is not merely about me and neither is yours. We are singular yet connected. Quite beautiful really. There is not contest to be won. Just our personal bests will do and that makes for a life well lived. I believe that God expects us to live joyfully towards that end.
I told the Doctors ” God told me that I have cancer, cancer is not from him and I do not own this cancer “. God gave me the courage to speak those words. God also gave me an unshakable peace that resides within my being to this moment.
My belief is through the Holy Spirit we are given a robust strength,of positive and warm heavenly support that can permeate our disease and return order to our bodies , minds and Spirits to a healthy state.
My journey has taken the medical world and made them say, why? How is he florishng so well and healing slowly too? I told them all once again, God.
We are being healed by God’s machines, God’s medicines, And the healing hands of the doctors which are extension of the healing hands of Christ Jesus.
I have pushed the establishment by my self Advocacy which has helped other Cancer patients I am sure. I say this not because I am great but because God calls us to live in his hope and to believe that he will do what we cannot. I want others to believe too. Love your neighbor as yourself.
There is joy in every storm. And the rain helps to grow the garden of our lives.
I have won some of my self advocasy attempts easily and won others after waiting months and enduring lots of personal tests. One of these wins was in the restoration of my drivers license. Upon my diagnosis of non surgical Glio Bastoma Multiform grade 4 brain cancer I was required to turn in my license. I was no longer considered to be safe behind the wheel. I had no problem with that. I certainly did not want to hurt anyone. So, I became even more of a passenger in life. I had nurses, a hospice nurse named Robin here. I was suppose to except this cancer and its lethal outcome after all it was text book. It even took Ted Kennedy. I was essentially given Months to live and was told to get my personal things in order etc.
Well, As time went on and I continued to leave all of these situations regarding my impending death further behind me in the dash board mirror of my life. I decided after 3 years that I would approached my Dr’s and I said that I wanted to get my license to drive reinstated. My oncologist said I do not see why not and my Primary care Dr. Signed off as well. The Department of motor vehicles medical division got the paperwork and questioned what? He surrendered that license due to terminal brain cancer. The Dr’s response to them was that Dans not the typical Glio patient. So, I had hours of cognitive testing including vision , field vision, reflex coordination and the results came back. I passed with flying colors. Finally, I had my road test remember the year 2013-2014 winter? 9 feet of snow. That was the road that I was tested on. Narrow, icy streets and I was driving my wife’s small Suv for the first time that day. The car that I had been practicing on did not have a center console emergency brake so it could not be used in my road test.
My wife was working so my son was now my sponsor and sat in the back seat😀 Life is funny years back I was his back seat as his observer. Lol
Well, the Medical division tester came and got into the car with us and he questioned me on a number of procedures. We were off and the tester told me to pull over and to preform a 3 point turn. He said go ahead if you hit the snow bank don’t worry, the streets are so narrow. I looked at him and said are you kidding me my wife will kill me and we laughed. I completed my test and have been driving again happily for nearly 1 1/2 years. There were times when I was going to give up on the process of getting it back because it was tiring and there were no guarantees.
By Gods grace and my fighting on my dream to drive once again was turned into a reality. I was able to get into my old car and begin my life of service to others. Whether it is to go down to the church and talk to others who are having a difficult time or to visit the sick at the hospital, hospice center or nursing home and bring the Holy Eucharist to them with a word of encouragement. Not because I am great but because our God is.
He has made my illness into a thing of beauty. I truly believe that this is the time of Miracles. We need to dare to believe. Trust in God and declare Victory of illness and enjoy your days. Keep laughing and spreading hope.
I believe that my witness in this moment and challenging the powers that be that people do survive these illnesses at least beyond what conventional wisdom might say. Who knows? Only God.
My case has been reviewed and studied by MIT as well as a prominent Dr. From China.
Gods showing everyone that he very much in the moment with us. He loves us and wants us to be in relationship with us so he can help us.
I woke very early and as I got up I went slower on sitting up and standing in order to assure myself that I would not have and episode of dizziness that occurred yesterday.
Well , it worked 😀👍 no problems to report. Yesterday was a clearly an inner ear thing. So, I got showered and dressed and had my breakfast.
On today’s agenda was a visit to the polling booth. I then hit the market and got a box of chocolates for a friend and flowers for another.
I made it to my first stop at nursing home number 1 and wanted to visit my friend Teddy and see how he was. I parked and made my way inside with his box of chocolates and he was in the livingroom guess you would call it. It was Bingo time.
Like me Teddy has been battling Brain Cancer. I met Teddy at my church. I had received communion and was kneeling forward praying. All of a sudden off to my right I saw a man with a walker that looked very weak making his way up for communion after he received the Eucharist he stopped at the foot of the cross looked up and smiled I could feel and see with my eyes he had peace and joy amid his battle. He trusted God and was at peace. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment that I witnessed. So, it became my mission to introduce myself to he and his family who brought him. It took me a few weeks to catch up to him before I left the church. He was seated in the back of the church and I was at the front.😀
Well, we met one day as I always say , when we were meant to and he was clearly suffering the cognitive effects of the cancer but we developed a bond. One day he noticed my St. Michael Cross and I removed the chain and medal from my neck , kissed and and placed it over his head. He and his family looked shocked I just said God wants you have this. It was cut and dry from that day forward I looked for he and his family and reassured him that Gods got this he always smiled which made me smile. Teddy would show me his medal and smile.
So, today I went into the home and Teddy was sitting in his chair and had his Bingo board opened up. The women was calling the numbers and his card was filled and as she called numbers he was still looking for spots to put down his next piece. He did not recognize me and looked confused. I asked him Teddy do you remember I am Danny from church he just looked away as the women called the next number. I then asked him if he would like to receive the Holy Eucharist. He said what is it? I repeated myself and got a vague look and again he gazed off to somewhere else. So, I said a prayer for healing upon all of the people in that nursing facility that God will grant them healing of whatever they might need. I then was sitting their with the Eucharist in my hand so I said Teddy, he looked at me I said I know that you do not want to receive today so I am going to receive today for you and ask God to bless you with any graces that I have that will help you.okay😀 Again, just a vacant look. One thing that he did before I left was to look at me and show me the Rosary Beads that he was wearing around his neck.
As I left the nursing home I said God help me because I had prayed for them but while I was sitting with him I felt my normal upbeat and optimistic outlook and felt drained. I felt sorrow for he and his family all the while projecting that this could be me someday. That’s the reality that I live with.
My next stop was the Livestrong program at the Y and finally I grabbed the flowers from my car and went to the nursing home number 2 to visit with Dan and Mary and it was a beautiful visit where we prayed, spoke and they received the Holy Eucharist.
I would ask you to please pray for Teddy and his family and Mary,Dan and their families. Amen
First off, Let me say this….. This writing was started on 2-21-16 and completed today 2-29-16. So a little time has elapsed but that is how it needed to be.
2-21-2016
I have not written a whole lot in the past few weeks. Their has been a lot going on. Fortunately those things have been good. I am learning as I move forward that we should not just bury a feeling or emotion. We need to decern what is going on within our mind and emotions and exercise and test them . We can sabotage our emotional health and the healing of our bodies by allowing negative thoughts to alter the moment we are in. This week I joined the next LIvestrong class as a visitor whereas I have already completed the Y Livestrong program this past Nov . I felt blessed that I was allowed to be with the new class of cancer patients and survivors. I guess I am the mascot lol
I arrived at the Y this morning and the Livestrong program was already in progress. The trainers were working with the patients on the machines. What they did was to demonstrate to their new patients/ clients the proper positions to take while working with their bodies on those machines to increase the value of the workout and preventing further injury to the individuals. The trainers then gave them their preliminary starting weights that they should use to help to build their muscle etc. I upon seeing them working with the new bees made my way to the special bike that work on. This bikes works great with my left side issues. I sat down and began my workout I rode that bike for 1/2 hour. The trainer Dan had his eye on me as did Trish the second trainer and Dan indicated that he wanted to take me to a couple of the press machines for my arms and legs. We made it through the arm workout. Dan assisting with the amount of weight put on my left arm so I would not make a bad situation worse. After we finished that I asked Dan to stretch my left side I had not been stretched since The beginning of Dec when my physical therapy coverage was fully exhausted. The stretching definitely effects my mobility and healing it is something that I cannot live without.
You see going back to that program as a guest was a Miracle in itself. I had gone in a couple of weeks ago just to sign up for a regular membership the Y allowed me to keep the membership month by month because I like many cancer patients do not know what tomorrow will bring. So, for me I did not want to be locked into a year membership when there is always the possibility that I may have to stop again at any given moment.
When you don’t work or should I say are unable to work I feel guilty in any purchase that I make. I need to justify and test the need before I do.
I just picked up this writing today again the was started last week and I am continuing it now the date now is 2-29-2016.
It’s intersting that I wrote about controlling our minds and emotions above on this page and when I was finally drawn back to this blog today I had a personal moment today that challenged me on both fronts.
I went to get of bed today and I sat up a little quicker than I normally do on the edge of the bed and my head swam and I got dizzy. It took a few moments for me to stand up and to move towards my bath. I remained a little unsteady and nervous and then the situation was over.
Given my past history with brain cancer I had some terrible falls due to my cancer I would literally spin and find myself on the ground. My first response was to say God the cancer is back. But I then stopped looked in the mirror and began to test how I looked, my mobility and said to myself, get a grip.
I was thinking to myself there are plenty of other reasons why a person could be light headed besides brain cancer. I got ready and did not make any sudden movements with my head that would make myself dizzy.
I had my breakfast and felt fine I even did a few chores where I did bend and move my head and I was fine. Praise God.
when I finally was set to go I headed out to my dads and brought him our lunch and we spent time talking and I was able to give him the Holy Eucharist. Later we went in and put the television and spent time laughing at an old show that was on😀
It was fun at one point, I was sitting there fogging out I guess and my dad said is there something wrong? You look worried. I reassured him that I was just tired which I was.
My youngest brother came and as did my sister just popped in on her lunch time to see my dad. We were talking and laughing and my sister stopped and said are you okay ? I said yes why ? I will tell you something I did feel fine but I was tired. They are so close to me that they just knew through their Spirits that there was dis- ease in me today because of what happened this morning.
please, please, if something out of the norm happens to you physically do not go negative it allows unhealthy worries or thoughts to envade your thoughts. That triggers stress, and stress causes Dis-ease in our bodies which then can manifest itself as Disease that we need to fight. Amen.
keep me in your prayers please, I will do the same for you all 🙂
I have the Livestrong program tomorrow and I will be visiting 2 separate nursing facilities to visit and bring the Holy Eucharist to friends who are not well. One is a dear friend with Glio like I have battled.
This morning I was awake at the crack of dawn. As I said my morning prayer and got ready to hit the floor and start my day this song came on and it was a direct answer to what I had been meditating on. I will be writing more on this amazing topic on my blog today. I have a phone call to make to a friend in Connecticut who is battling Glio I then have the Livestrong cancer program to get to. Finally, I had to go to a nursing facility to bring the Holy Eucharist two 2 patients and Mary’s spouse. Mary has been hospitalized for quite some time because of a infection. She lost her lower leg because of that infection and is trying to get the strength together and to accept a new and different life that she is now living. I discussed with them the importance of faith and realizing that Gods got this. It was an honor to be able to be with them once again, to pray for healing from God for them and to administer the Holy Eucharist.
I was corresponding with Jacks daughter yesterday after his scan of his Glio brain tumor was not what we all prayed for. I am uniquely in a position to understand their position and that of their family. During that conversation she said that Jack is so young and has so much that he wants to do. I get that too. While praying this morning this song came on and I sat on the edge of the bed and said this song correlates with what I was praying on. I was praying on what Jenn had said and wanted to have the correct words to ease their burden at least a little.
This is the song that I heard this morning.
God bless you. I had not heard this song for about 30 to 40 years and it is as timeless now as it was then. We collectively as people generation to generation have not changed in our desires surrounding those we love. My mom always said Dan, love is selfish, we never want to let go.
Talking to Dan and Mary today about the places that we all find ourselves in throughout this life brought these words to my lips once again I said despite any of our hardships love makes all possible Jesus makes the yoke light and we still had joy and laughter today amid the strife. No that’s God. He is in it so we can win it, life is not a tragedy ,this is only act one for us all here in this present moment. The best is yet to come.
I believe that bottle in this song could relate to our memories and emotions in our hearts. Since my moms passing I have relived some many of the precious little moments of my childhood. Memories stored by the grace of God in my mind and Spirit that were not wiped away by brain cancer or by heavy radiation and chemo to my brain. Now, that’s God for us.
Jenns comment about her dad not doing everything that he wanted to do and the fact that he is so young makes perfect sense to me too. What I would say is this in this song it speaks to a box full of memories that had not come true, but when the box gets opened their were prayers written down that were answered by God and our loved ones which are gifts from God.
Do I think that Jack will beat this Glio? I say why not ? I am no more special than everyone of you, yet I sit here today after driving myself to the YMCA , riding the exercise bike for a solid half hour, I walked a mile and a half in and out of the nursing facility . I returned home and made the 15 step climb to my main floor had lunch and polished the kitchen countertops. I did this all not because I am great but because God has given me a heart of joy through the suffering and a understanding that I do not know what my tomorrow will bring but I do know my God who does.
Life is to be lived well, while loving each other and allowing ourselves to be loved it is pretty simple. Let go and let God we will never perish if we are with God. We will never truly lose our loved one that is eternal love. They are simply awaiting our arrival when God determines that time.
We need to be peaceful and move forward with our lives. God hears all prayers and answeres everyone too.
Pray for each other and trust.
God bless you all please pray for Mary and Jack and family please 🙂
This blog entry is my testimony to Gods glory in our lives. We can acknowledge that we are his benefactors and he is worthy of our praise and thanks.
Isn’t that what it feels like at times in our lives? That statement is true in the fact that we as humans move forward with a dream, a perceived notion as to what we want. I always told my kids that the world is their oyster. To do and become the best of whatever they sought to be. When they showed apprehension my wife and I just supported them and said go for it. My life and yours are no different from our kids. In my eyes this world was my oyster for quite sometime. I had my family, friends all the while I continued growing in faith as I searched for true understanding of lifes purpose. I was part of a family business that was respected for our customers and those of our community. I could never see anything down the road and see anything but, good health and my growing business with its success. I loved people and my clients/ career and bent over backward to grow the business, grow my family and to help my friends . I had planned on that road to continue. Why wouldn’t it?
But, the road turned…
Todays writing is not so much to complain but to demonstrate how what we dream, what we dare to shoot for is not wrong. God has built into each one of us the ability to achieve our goals. As a matter of fact it would be sinful for us not to ettempt these things. Not just because of our selves but because when we attain our goals we then are able share the fruits of our blessings with others who need help and encouragement. Fruit can manifest itself in many ways by giving of time, giving guidance to someone on the road behind you in life and showing them the straight path. It could be financial when you see a need. You will know🙂 God will tell through our prayers and through our hearts.
Life has shown me that we cannot look back. There are no open doors to return through. We need to proceed forward into tomorrow with the same hopes and dreams that we have had but with one large exception. As we grow and learn the hard facts of this life we need to with age temper our expectations. When a change comes upon us it is not a failure.
From my personal perspective I have learned and accepted recently that I probably will never be what I was physically prior to Cancer. I believe that I need to push on and fight to regain what I can and to retain what I have.
My blog entrees have slowed down because I have been in this self actualization place since before Christmas. I cannot waiste my time on writing unless it helps someone else who is living their own difficult life walk. Plus sometimes I find it personally difficult to share my innermost feelings on my journey.
Today was that day. God inspired me to this writing today even the song came to me… A line of the lyrics and when I searched it this is what came out. God through the the Holy Spirit is guiding me and us.
So, do I like the things that life is showing me ? no. Did it kill my Spirit no. I am a little tattered for sure but again I am grateful for all that I have. I praise God for his life giving mercy that he has afforded to me in this moment. I breathe because God has elected me to do so in this moment.
Thats it, listen to the words of this song I sincerely hope that this writing and corresponding song resonates with the reader of this blog. Amen.
God Bless You All,
Danny
please pray for:
Jenn Glio Blastoma
Bryan with Glio Blastoma
Jack with GLio Blastoma
children effected by illness and autism
For us all, our needs whatever they might be.
For our military and the heroes lost.
for this world.
we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayers. Amen.
I believe that music is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
They help us in this life and gives us prespective on a given human emotion.
This writing that I begin tonight is a topic very near and dear to my heart. Why tonight ? Well, I just read an article that a friend had on Facebook. The article was about an actor of the theatre who had a special needs child at the afternoon matinee who became difficult with his parent and was yelling during the show.
The actor wrote a beautiful editorial after the fact not complaining about the fact that this women brought her child to the show rather he took the audience to task over their rude actions and yelling at that mother. Many in the audience did not give one thought to what that mom was going through.
I thought it was beautiful for him to try and give a perspective of charity and concern for someone else’s plight. I commend him for his good effort in educating once again. It is not all about each one of us always. We are a connected society with a diverse populations living their own daily victories and struggles.
This subject is near and dear to me because I have a special Nephew who is one of my favorite people on this planet. I have witnessed the crass treatment that my brother, his wife and family have endored because Stevie is special.
Through hours of praying over this situation I told my entire family years ago that these special children/ people are gifts from God. Since I was a young child I have always felt a deep level of compassion for these special individuals.
We as a society have to stop looking at Special needs children as a nuisance, an obstruction to our lives and see the beauty , kindness that they bring us.The undeniable fact is that they are some of our best teachers.
These beautiful children / people challenge us in so many ways. Not because they are terrible but because they do not connect with their emotions in a conventional way and because of that fact they can get fearful.
I believe that God uses these special people to teach us patience, love, charity, and they force us to be bigger and better versions or ourselves.
I have watched my brother, his wife, children, and all family members pull together around my incredibly beautiful , non judgemental nephew.
He has a life of suffering with his ailments and is as my mom used to say “is our love”. Guess what? He is, Stevie also makes us laugh because he is very funny. He is very smart but processes information differently.
I could tell stories of horrible discrimination against him and his family and I was witness to one terrible encounter on a plane trip we took on vacation a few years back.
I will see if I can attach the article that I read this evening on to this blog post. It was written that well.
My mother always said …… I have 13 grandchildren and I know for sure that Stevie is truly going to heaven.
There have been many shared and private tears shed by all because of Stevie’s difficulties. Stevie never complains he will smile and hug us no matter what. If we look sad he will come and stand with you, quietly looking at you So compassionately,so lovingly.
When I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer he wanted to take care of me. He made his mom take him out to buy me anything and everything. He did not run from the fire he ran into it and wanted to help uncle Danny. He was in and out ,up and down getting me water snacks just sitting and watching me. I was forced to rise from self pity to be what he needed and deserved and I love him so much for being my buddy.
He has little quirky things he does at times and sometimes does not want to cooperate with the plans that we have for him .
One time one of my brothers friends said it too bad you have been burdened by having your son with his difficulties.
My brothers response was typical for my big brother he said,
Really? I don’t look at Stevie that way. I think he is the biggest gift that God gave my entire family. Stevie is love.
Another thing that Stevie brought to our entire family while teaching us the importance of the simpler things in life is that we needed to firm our foundation of faith up. We have all done that up over the years. Thank you Stevie, thank you God!
One thing, I will tell you is this. There are no and will not be any Riley victims. We will not be victimized by special needs, cancer or any other thing that befalls us.
We are in the battle but Jesus already won the war.
For my brother Steve and is beautiful wife Nancy. Two better parents you cannot find. xo. You inspire us all. 🙂
God Bless You,
Danny
The article mentioned in this blog is below..
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Broadway actor Kelvin Moon Loh came to the defense of a mother and her young son sitting in the audience of “The King and I” after the child disrupted a matinee performance in September 2015. The woman’s son began crying and screaming during a particularly emotional scene. The mom tried to calm her son, but soon the audience grew angry and heckled her, some called for her and the boy to be removed from the theater and others were heard asking “why would you bring a child like that to the theater?”. Embarrassed, the mom and boy left the theater after a few minutes.
It turns out, the boy happens to have autism. The crowd’s reaction did not sit well with the musical’s lead, and Loh took to Facebook to express his feelings about the incident and to champion the rights of autistic children and parents of children with autism to be allowed to visit to the theater like anyone else. His passionate post has no doubt won him new fans.
“Just got off stage from today’s matinee and yes, something happened. Someone brought their autistic child to the theater.
“That being said – this post won’t go the way you think it will.
“You think I will admonish that mother for bringing a child who yelped during a quiet moment in the show. You think I will herald an audience that yelled at this mother for bringing their child to the theater. You think that I will have sympathy for my own company whose performances were disturbed from a foreign sound coming from in front of them.
“No.
“Instead, I ask you- when did we as theater people, performers and audience members become so concerned with our own experience that we lose compassion for others?
“The theater to me has always been a way to examine/dissect the human experience and present it back to ourselves. Today, something very real was happening in the seats and, yes, it interrupted the fantasy that was supposed to be this matinee but ultimately theater is created to bring people together, not just for entertainment, but to enhance our lives when we walk out the door again.
“It so happened that during “the whipping scene”, a rather intense moment in the second act, a child was heard yelping in the audience. It sounded like terror. Not more than one week earlier, during the same scene, a young girl in the front row- seemingly not autistic screamed and cried loudly and no one said anything then. How is this any different?
“His voice pierced the theater. The audience started to rally against the mother and her child to be removed. I heard murmurs of “why would you bring a child like that to the theater?”. This is wrong. Plainly wrong.
“Because what you didn’t see was a mother desperately trying to do just that. But her son was not compliant. What they didn’t see was a mother desperately pleading with her child as he gripped the railing refusing- yelping more out of defiance. I could not look away. I wanted to scream and stop the show and say- “EVERYONE RELAX. SHE IS TRYING. CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT SHE IS TRYING???!!!!” I will gladly do the entire performance over again. Refund any ticket because-
“For her to bring her child to the theater is brave. You don’t know what her life is like. Perhaps, they have great days where he can sit still and not make much noise because this is a rare occurrence. Perhaps she chooses to no longer live in fear, and refuses to compromise the experience of her child. Maybe she scouted the aisle seat for a very popular show in case such an episode would occur. She paid the same price to see the show as you did for her family. Her plan, as was yours, was to have an enjoyable afternoon at the theater and slowly her worst fears came true.
“I leave you with this- Shows that have special performances for autistic audiences should be commended for their efforts to make theater inclusive for all audiences. I believe like Joseph Papp that theater is created for all people. I stand by that and also for once, I am in a show that is completely FAMILY FRIENDLY. The King and I on Broadway is just that- FAMILY FRIENDLY- and that means entire families- with disabilities or not. Not only for special performances but for all performances. A night at the theater is special on any night you get to go.
“And no, I don’t care how much you spent on the tickets.”
Since the initial post, Loh’s message has received 31,000 shares. Hopefully Loh’s message will resonate with people and make people think twice about judging others at public events and to maybe think about responding with compassion rather than anger.
In life their are songs that you remember that were meaningful to others in this case my mom. As a kid she would say to us I love this song and then would tell me why it meant so much to her.
At around 2:30 this morning I was in bed with my kindle on and it was playing random songs. This song came on and I thought of my mom. I never payed attention to the words as a kid. My mother and father were very much in love and shared over 60 years together 57 of which they were married and had their 5 children. They had all of the stress issues of a family and my dad almost passed when he was in his 40’s
My mom passed away almost 2 .5 years ago and my dad is still coping with the loss.
This morning at 2:30 I became aware of the words and understood why my mom loved this so much. I laid in bed looking at my wife and thought of all she has been through with my dire cancer diagnosis, having to figure out the house hold finances, support our 4 children emotionally and work full time to handle the bills and obligations.
I believe that song was meant for that quiet moment to remind me of my mom and dad and the common treads shared by my life walk and theirs.
I am sure for many of you as well.
Our significant others are our treasures, gifts from God and should be valued and recognized as such.
For my parents, my bride smile emoticon and all of yours smile emoticon
YouAre Music – http://youare.com Music with “you are” in the title or lyrics. Gladys Knight & The Pips (1974) “You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me…
The following is a Re blog of my blog post dated 8-13-2014
I chose this blog to be republished today because of my recent loss of my friend Paul and because of a show that I saw on Chronicle tonight talking about near death/ afterdeath experiences. I went to search out the first vision writing because these things do happen. They are incredible and never fade.
I was able to share my experiences with Paul and many other people who were preparing to meet God. Its been nearly 4 years since diagnosis and i was then told that i had only months to live. I was truly dieing. I was on the very edge of life and was unafraid. at total peace. There is no fear necessary, beauty lies beyond this life and beyond our comprehension.
Jesus does not lie. He went before us to make straight the path for those who love him and follow his ways.
The doctors are miffed as to why I have done so well with a terminal braincancer diagnosis. I feel that God has me here now as a witness to help others who need hope and help them see their God there waiting to receive them.
I am a regular guy with a Miraculous story. Not because of me but because God wants me to help others. My job is not done yet. Furthermore, I am a miracle currently, but life is far from easy on me daily. Any suffering I have is offered up for God to use for others. Perhaps this is my pennance , God knows.
Again this writing is from 8-13-2014
In The Beginning of true Spiritual awakening of all of us is a long time in the making. We experience different levels of awareness in God, his existence and supreme gift to us all and I m not talking about life 🙂 That is a Miracle in itself. I am referring to the gift of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit as far as I am concerned is our bridge to the Almighty, he facilitates all that is good, he inspires us, he warns us,he allows God to fill us with joy and allows our conscience to feel guilt for a wrong doing.The Holy Spirit will help to bring us to our knees for repentence before our Lord. The Holy Spirit that dwells within every one of us is God given and works in concert with our desires, needs and to allow us to fulfill our destiny for God and his people. We need to allow The Holy Spirit to work with us. We need to pray for his assistance in a meaningful way. I mentioned this in one of my recent blog writing that I began praying and commiting myself to God and the holy Spirit with my daily shower and telling all of Heaven that the water was my rededication and reminder of my baptismal water. I say daily to God that I surrender myself to whatever he wants from me and tell the Holy Spirit to please use me to the best of my ability. Lastly, I call on all of Heaven through my prayers for all of the Angels and Saints to please bestow on me any gifts of the Spirit that I may need in the future. Heaven is for real.:) This is a very special time that we are living in, a time like no other. It is a time of Miracles, it is a time of God’s pouring out of The Holy Spirit and Spiritural gifts for eachone of us. We all have our very own special gifts. Some we are born with some we acquire from God in the moment of his choosing. Our gifts can bend and change over a period of time based on what God wants and needs us to accomplish. The one prerequsite that God has for each of us to open our hearts and desire to be an agent of good to be the light to oneanother. It is simple. Through my childhood, adolescence and even into my 30’s I was always searching for my true God and his existence. I could feel him to a certain degree but the picture was still far from focus. During that time for me the 90’s. Life had a lot of moments of hurts from people you know, daily nonsence. Its hard to see God when you are surrounded by others who are not necessarily in Christ or God based. You are wandering around in a crowd of lost sheep many of which have no idea that they are even lost. I am not judging but it is indeed a fact. Well in the latter part of my 30’s I managed to bring my picture into a little more clarity with prayer and the assistance of others through a beautiful retreat know as Cursillo in a retreat house know as St. Basil’s in Methuen, Ma. that was I believe in Oct 1999. My wife went in November of the same year. It was life changing, the focus and picture was now crystal clear! It was an intersection where God made himself and his presence known. It is a Miracle, just as St. Basils is. You should call and look into this retreat house. It will be the best gift that you can give yourself ! So, I came back from that retreat and one of my friends called me the next day and said, hey Dan, I saw you walking on the water of the lake today 🙂 It was so funny,he knew that I was on Fire .lol Each day that we live sets the stage for the next day and action. So all of the many little or big moments of my daily journey that come out onto this blog journal are always building for a bigger God moment. They are all God moments because he is there with us getting us through. All of our Spiritual Gifts are to be shared. It is not about us. This blog tells my journey through God. It his victory over death (my) and yours. God wants my life psalm #139 shared so that all will see him, and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. 4- 5 years ago, I am not sure of the date, I was called out of the blue into some of the most intense Spiritual experiences that I could ever have imagined. I was blown out of the water, I will just refer to them as writing for my church. The details of those writings were not for us , they are for the church. I will say this anyone with a sense of Spiritural awareness just needs to look at the news or turn on the television to see what is going on. The world is out of balance. This process was stretching myself and family to the max. The Holy Spirit is just so awesome. My spiritual adviser said to me , Dan, lets just see where it goes, and we did. I will explain about this experience at a later date. My first vision, vivid dream, about 4-5 years ago during the time I was doing the church writings. I was asleep and had the most vivid dream. God uses our own lifes experiences and will make them part of his message in my case it was based in my lifes work and I have been for over 30 years through the gift of the Holy Spirit an interior Designer. I have done projects that when I had completed them looked at them and said, God, I did that! I did through God and love alone complete my projects .More on that later too!:) So, I was sleeping and my vision which seemed like forever started. I am giving my account to you exactly as It happened and was told to my priest, my adviser and friend long ago… This remember was more that 3 years before my cancer diagnosis. I walked up to the door of this house and rang the bell. I had decorating samples in my hand. A women came to the door and opened it, I just remember how pleasant she was, I could hear children laughing and she said, excuse me for a moment and walked away off to the left in the direction of the children. I did not see them but heard them laughing. So, I stood there and it seemed like a while, I being the type A personality and loving what I did. I said to myself, I will just walk in to the right here and see what she needs. So the interior was very itherial everything was a very soothing white color. It was extremely peaceful. I just kept walking and ahead of me was a hallway with a very bright light people were coming out of the light and passing me again all faces were non descript, everything was very etherial and white. I noticed that there was something on the wall that everyone that came out of the hall seemed to be stopping to look at so, I wandered over to it and looked and was a very pale colored picture I recognized it immediately. It was the shroud of Turin. I have to say this too, I had never given 1 seconds thought to the shroud in my life yet here it was . Well any way I could hear voices from down the end of the long extremely bright hallway and hear a booming voice and laughter it was pure joy. When I got to the entrance I realized, I shouldn’t be here, I had wondered from where I was left to wait. I would never wander around my clients home. So, I returned to where I was waiting by the door. I was getting annoyed and it was like 4 hours. Well, the really pleasant women was back and said she was sorry for the delay and she opened the door to the left of me. The children were quiet now and she guided me into the room. I stood there and there was a very large white table in front of me. As I stood there the women was standing to the left side of the table looking at me and there was another figure to the right side of the table looking at me as well. The women looked at me and, I felt love like I had never felt before. She said again sorry for the wait, I remember having been so angry to had to wait 4 hours for her to return and , I just responded its okay and she said to me you are an angel. Of course, I told Father I am certainly not, I am a sinner like everyone. I remember feeling intense love. I knew that it was my Blessed Mother. She without a word uttered pointed down to the table and moved her hand over the surface as if she wiped the table and the white milky color left and it now had a clear glass. It was a case. I could see all kinds of relics, bottles of oils, and religous statues related to my faith and she spoke these words to me, We want you to have many Spiritual gifts. And that was it. I woke up and is as alive today and vivid as the time that it occured. I have had years to think of why The Blessed Mother would call me an angel, because I am not. So I have a couple of thoughts on that. 1.) She knowing that I was upset with waiting for her which my Blessed Mother would know and yet I told her no problem thought that I was kind? 2.) Everything that I have done in writing including this blog through the Holy Spirit is never about me or any one of us . We are all loved the same. And what mother does not look upon her child at least as an angel in training? 🙂 Thats the best I can do on that thought last but not least the booming laughter and joy was, I know, was Our God! I was given a glimpse of Heaven. I pray everyday to continue to grow for his purpose and into his will completely . Amen.
Just Danny Speaks 