Combat Boots & Diamond Rings: Counting Our Blessings

As I type I really do hear the harmony & tune to the song "Count Your Blessings". The words going "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God hath done. Count your blessings name them one by one. Count you many blessings see what God hath done". That's just the chorus. I'll have to look in a minute on Youtube for a good version in case you can't hear the melody like I can in my head. My dad always leads this song for as long as I can remember in church. Often times I am just as guilty as most of wishing or wanting more & not being grateful for everything I already have been blessed with in my life.

The picture that started it all

I made one choice & talked with Jeremy about the choice. We took one photo to show our respect for a beloved hero who left for the rainbow bridge unexpectedly . It started a landslide of support & love for Jeremy, Balto, & our whole family that I never could have seen coming. Now with so many amazing blessings coming our way on a daily basis we are moved to keep "Pawing it Forward" as we decided to call it as often as possible.
I can't express the gratitude I have in my heart for all the love from the mailbox as we call it that Jeremy is receiving. He had his laser surgery & Balto posted that Jeremy would love some mail to cheer him up while his face healed. We have had over 40 cards show up, gift cards for him to shop, movies for him to watch, money to go buy an ice cream. Just so many wonderful blessings that I never expected or intended when I (Balto) posted about getting cheer- up mail. This shows me that there is still amazing kindness & generosity of spirit in this crazy world. That in economic times that are devastating to a lot, people still spend the time & money to cheer up a little boy they have never met in person. My favorite saying is "God is Good" & then to hear someone say back " All the Time". It is so true! We could not have made this second attempt at a service dog for Jeremy with out God. He has blessed us with so many new friends that want to help.

With that in mind each month Jeremy & I will pick a way to help Paw -it-Forward in his honor, in Gabe's memory, & to remind my children that giving is way better then receiving. The joy it brings to us every time we see the smile on the faces of those we help, there are just no words. For March we sold Jeremy T-shirts and made $80 for the Sturge-Weber Foundation. We will be sending a check to them soon from Jeremy & Balto. Today we learned of a pregnant chocolate lab who needs help while she waits to give birth. We have several rolls of paper towels we are donating at their request. It doesn't have to be huge to make a difference folks. It just has to come from the heart. Thank you to all those whom we have never met for making my little boy feel so special & our family feel so loved. Now what can you do to make a difference in someone's life? Just look around, you'll be amazed at all the opportunities.