Not only did our mother give us life, she taught us life lessons through the years of love, patience and courage.  We may not have been aware of her worries or heartaches because she wrapped us in loving arms or brought us belly laughs by her infectious laughter.

We bow our heads in gratitude and utter a prayer for our mother, our grandmothers, the religious sisters who guided us, the teachers who educated us, and all others in mothering, mentoring roles in our life.  To honor them we carry forward with love, laughter and courage!

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month started with several hundred participants at the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Baltimore Conference.

Coraggio! was there to help raise awareness of muscle weakness symptoms and encourage those with MG and their family members that a fulfilled life of purpose and joy is possible! 

If ever you pondered whether our loved ones look down on us and bless us after passing to the next world hear this:

At the Memorial Service for 93 year-old Great-Uncle Matthew Ciaramitaro yesterday I told the story of Uncle Matthew, in his quiet and caring way, helped Nonna become independent after her husband/my grandfather passed.  Many relatives had no idea of Uncle Matt’s humble act.  Hours later the Lansing State Journal printed an article featuring Tuesday’s Coraggio! book-signing.  The one paragraph excerpt the LSJ chose out of all the 346 pages?  You guessed it?  Uncle Matt’s story…

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105010509

Mille Grazie to the Italian American Cultural Society, Clinton Twp, MI for inviting Coraggio to be a part of its Nonna’s Pasta Nite (all u can eat pasta!), Tuesday, April 5, with encore presentation at Senior’s Meeting, April 6, 10 a.m.  http://www.iacsonline.net/calendar.html

Mille Grazie (many thanks) to the Italian Tribune (La Tribuna del Popolo) of Clinton Twp, Mi for its marvelous half-page article on Coraggio!  You made my Bella Nonna’s (beautiful grandmother’s) spirit shine for all!  I am quite sure Nonna is smiling from heaven for your kindness and generosity, and on the many contacts that resulted from the article.

American Catholic Radio will air today an interview about Coraggio! book #4, and my thoughts about encouraging society to value the lives of people with disabilities and honoring those at the end of life.  The interview will also air throughout the week of January 17^th, leading up to the March of Life in Washington, D.C. on January 24, 2011.

God Bless Judy Zarick, Producer/Media Productions for St. Anthony Messenger Press, who followed the Spirit’s calling and gave tremendous effort to spreading the important message of protecting, advocating and reaching out with life-affirming compassion to our chronically ill and terminally ill brothers and sisters! Feel free to express your gratitude to her via her online link.

You can listen online by going to www.franciscanmedia.org . Look for American Catholic Radio and click on Current Program over to the right — “Living Faith” segment of program # 11-04.

(Coraggio Book #4 is expected to be available early this spring.)

Be Bold Feel Beautiful Gala tonight!  Terri Shaver’s passionate vision to photograph women undergoing cancer treatment and her courageous pursuit of the dream to empower women to feel beautiful at a time when they might not. Last year’s gala attended by 50…this year’s moving fundraiser event over 200!! Surrounded by photos of BEAUTIFUL and COURAGEOUS women – the essence of courage from Terri to each of the 60 women thus far photographed. I am honored to know this nurse-photographer.

http://beboldfeelbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/11/calendars-selling-like-hotcakes.html

“If you can, find that peace within yourself, that peace and quiet and confidence that you can pass on to others, so that they know that you are honest and you are fair and will help them, no matter what, when the chips are down.”

Leadership quote from Dick Winters, WWII commander of “Band of Brothers” who passed on this week.

A great reflection of courage!

Your heart expands as you bring Christmas love and cheer to others. The holidays are also a time where emotional hurts may blister.

 See Coraggio!  Lessons for Living from an Italian Grandmother Despite Illness, Pain and Loss, page 324.

“Have the courage to:
   -Not let the bad guys get you down!
   -Reject the negative comments of others.
   -Follow the stirrings of your heart despite what others   tell you.
   -Believe in the good you possess despite the judgment of others.”

Continuing the Thanksgiving theme…

Another path to gratitude attitude is quitting the blame game!

See Coraggio!  Lessons for Living from an Italian Grandmother Despite Illness, Pain and Loss, page 250.

“Blame your current addiction or health situation on someone else and you have… relinquished all responsibility for improving your health situation.  How does it serve you to blame your addiction or ill health on someone else? … YOU are the person with control over making choices and acting on improvements in your life.”