A call came at 11:00 pm on Thursday evening. It was my youngest brother, Dave with some sad news. His daughter Jenny who was living in Colorado had died; she was 21 years old. Details of her death were sketchy; it looked like an overdose of alcohol/drugs. Wanda made a few phone calls to let her older boys know about their cousin. The mood was somber. Wanda and I talked about Jen, about her parents, what her life had been like and how we would miss her.

By the time I went downstairs it was about 1:00am and Kim was still awake. She asked me what was wrong and I told her my niece Jenny had died. Kim and I talked till nearly 4:00am. A lot of feelings were shared in between the tears and fears. We learned even more about each other that night (morning). Our bond of friendship was strengthened. I have always respected Kim and that respect was increased during our trip together.

After I returned from Illinois I reflected on my trip with Kim. I thought about the WIN Program and how many young, and not so young, lives it has touched. It reminded me how important it is to reach out to another person – to make a connection – no matter what the person’s age. We each have the power to make a difference.

Light and Love,
Kathy Purcell
Editor

A friend sent me an email with the story below. It seemed to fit with my story above.

The Frogs

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit.  The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.  Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him, “Why did you continue jumping. Didn’t you hear us?”

The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time. This story holds two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.

Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.