Thursday, April 26, 2012

A Special Treat Just For YOU!



Before I begin today's post, I'd like to mention something.  I am not unaware of all the controversy that has come to light this week regarding the bullying of special needs children by, not other children, but their very own teachers and aides.  I will be addressing this next week, more than likely in a few posts.  I just have so many disturbing thoughts and emotions running through my head that I don't think I can put together a coherent post yet.


In case you're not sure what I'm talking about, I'm just going to refer you to the blog, Solodialogue, written by my lovely friend, Karen.  She has a link to the video that has sparked a firestorm in the special needs community, as well as several other videos worth viewing. Be warned - your blood pressure will rise.  I was so upset, I couldn't even watch all the videos. Click here to go to Karen's post.  And if you do watch the videos, please save your comments about them for now.  I'd love to hear them next week.  I have something special to tell you about today and I don't want to take away from that.  Deal? Deal!


Now let's get on with today's post, shall we? 


Tired.  Worn out.  Frustrated.  Exhausted.  Fatigued.  Stressed.  Burned out. 


Do these words describe how you feel more often than not? 


Well, have I got a special treat for you today!


A few weeks ago, I was sent a free ebook called Your Creed of Care:  How To Dig For Treasure in People (Without Getting Buried Alive) by Caroline McGraw.


Isn't she the cutest thing??


Unfortunately, I was too worn out and busy to read it right away.  So this past weekend, I sat down, determined to at least start the book.  Well, lo and behold, I ended up reading the whole thing!  It was that good. 


When I emailed Caroline to thank her for the book and let her know how much I enjoyed it, here's how I described it:


"Let me say that if I had to sum up your writing in one word, I would say, peaceful.  As I read, I found myself just relaxing into the book.  I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all to you but I hope you take it as the compliment it is meant to be." 

I knew as I was reading along, that I needed to share the message of this book with all of you. 

But Caroline has gone one step further and written a message to each of you.  Check this out:

Hello Along Came the Bird readers! 

My name is Caroline McGraw, and I write about finding meaning in your most challenging relationships at AWishComeClear.com. Having connected with Lana, I'd like to invite you to receive a free copy of Your Creed Of Care:  How To Dig For Treasure In People (Without Getting Buried Alive). It’s a book about balancing the responsibilities of caregiving for an individual with disabilities with that of caring for yourself. It’s a labor of love, containing 60+ pages of true stories and essential insights on life alongside someone with a disability. It’s about living a life grounded in self-respect. It’s about loving yourself, so that you can love people with special needs from a place of peace.

Hearing Caroline describe the book, do you see why I wanted to share it with you?  We're all caregivers and sometimes, we need to be reminded to care for ourselves so we can best care for others.  

And yes, you read that right.  Caroline is including a link that you can click on to receive your own free copy of her lovely book!  Once you add your email address and confirm it, you'll receive your copy within 24 hours.

So, go download the book.  Then wait until the kids are tucked in and the house is quiet and you're wearing your most comfy clothes and drinking something yummy and start reading.  Let it soothe your soul and remind you of how very important you are to so many people.

Have a wonderful weekend! 


17 comments:

  1. I am not a care giver for anyone on a daily basis, but deeply care for several families that are. I try to educate myself with everything that I can get my hands on because of the love that I have for these precious children and their incredible families. My hope is that it will, even if in only minute ways, help me to understand in some small way and minister to these precious families. Throw in a great passion of mine, reading, and make it free??? Well, this gal is in blog-stalker heaven!! Thanks, Lana for sharing this precious gift .. this may upgrade your status from "big deal blogger" to rock star blogger status!!

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    1. Oh my! Rock star blogger? It might just go to my head! :)

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  2. Thanks for the referral to Caroline's blog and her perspective! I look forward to reading her thoughts after reading a few of her posts. She has a very nice and uplifting site. You are full of loving gifts for your bloggy friends!

    I look forward to your thoughts on the very compelling issue raised by the dad, Stuart Chaifetz who did an incredibly smart thing by putting his story on You Tube. Flan has also written a post and is the one who brought it to my attention! There are many posts going up which is wonderful as we help each other try to find solutions. xoxo

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    1. I hope you like the book! And I'll be heading to Flannery's site to read her post, too. It's just a hard thing to wrap my head around.

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  3. Thanks Lana for sharing this gift -- you really ARE full of treasures yourself!

    As for the other stuff... I share your sentiment. I'm too upset by the whole thing to even talk about it at this point. I signed the petition and shared the story, but wow... I look forward to hearing what you have to say next week. Have a great weekend!

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    1. All of you do so much for me so it's nice to give a little back every now and then! I hope I can get some coherent thoughts together for next week...

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  4. I needed this right now! Thanks!

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  5. How lovely. She's adorable and she looks soooo well rested so she must be doing something right. :)

    Thank you for this. Thank you.

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  6. Oh how I needed this right now as well! I seem to have my hands full "caregiving" to family members at one time or another. I am presently in the middle of one right now. Thanks for sharing this incredible gift. I am looking forward to reading this book!

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  7. Thanks!!! Cant wait to read it! Might be just what I need!

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  8. This book is a MUST READ for ANYONE caregiving! (Not just for special needs either) It will really open your eyes up to yourself...at least it did for me. It came at a very important time when some decisions I was going to have to make quickly and wondering if it was the "right" thing to do, and quickly found myself in this book. Caroline McGraw is very straightforward, honest, and just tells it like it is. I accidently erased where I could tell this to Caroline herself, but did subscribe to A Wish come Clear and look forward to the emails. So, Lana, if you have that "page" I can declare I liked the book (it is on the same page where you can donate), PLEASE send it to me. Thank YOU for sharing this information...I intend on keeping this copy to reread and pass along to others as the Lord shows me.

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  9. P.S. This book is wonderful for "special needs" parents and families. I can see where you get your strength Lana as well as your openess with others in this blog...You are a Rockstar Blogger!

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