RIP Talia Catellano

Thank You For Touching Our Hearts Talia...

This precious girl, Talia Joy or better known as TaliaJoy18 on Youtube, battled cancer for almost half of her life. This little diamond of a girl, just made people fall in love with her, I know I did. With a spunky spirit that inspired people all over the world, she was an inspiration for those battling cancer and those just battling to get through their day. Her fight is now over.. 

She inspired me and touched my heart.

Her twinkling eyes and her little soul that was filled with so much determination and sparkle, a sparkle that will never be forgotten.

This world is full of  heartache, hurt, disease and disappointment. I literally felt like crying my heart out after seeing several awful, disgusting, and heartbreaking news stories involving brutal deaths. This world is overflowing with sad and awful things, and heartache all around.

Talia did not let cancer take her sparkle, cancer let her reach millions, cancer became her platform to touch and inspire people battling cancer and just battling life, to remember to, "just keep swimming". God can use what we think is a big problem, to be the very thing that will allow us to reach other's hearts. Talia reached many hearts and will never be forgotten.

Talia is free from her earthly struggle,  pain,  fear,  and  any looming depression that pops it's ugly head up in life, no matter how positive or happy we all try to be.

I want to send prayers to Mattia, Talia's sister, and her mom, Desiree. I pray that God will wrap them in His heavenly comfort and hold them, with strength...I know the devastating pain of losing someone when you're not ready for them to go.

And you know, that in Talia's little spunk, she would not want everyone to be sad, she would want everyone to "JUST KEEP SWIMMING"...

I want to share something that comforted me and might comfort Mattia and Desiree:

"The Lord is near to those who are broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

I know there are many people who have a lost a loved one, and I know that pain too, and we can live on in honor of that person, to live life more fully in their honor! To celebrate and be thankful for each second and minute we had to enjoy them.

And always remember to "just keep swimming".....

Not Homeless Just Saying Hello

A commitment to taking a unique path on my journey through this world.

Not Homeless… Just Saying Hello

Well… that was extremely uncomfortable, and fantastic, all at the same time. What an interesting experiment & rewarding experience. First off, big thanks to my awesome sociology class for the idea/dare. I would have never thought to do this otherwise.

Here’s the recap of me standing on the corner for one hour, holding a cardboard sign that read,

  

“Not Homeless Just Saying Hello!”

The Kids

There were 2 times where parents were driving with kids in the car (under 10-yrs-old), and the kids rolled down their windows to wave & say hello. The parents also had big smiles on their faces, but they were no match for the kids’ elation.

Something about the kids’ enjoyment of it moved me more than any of the adults who showed their appreciation. I wonder how I would've acted as a kid if I saw that. Should we tip our hat to the parents of those kids, for raising happy, open-minded, outgoing kids? Or do we chalk it up to kids just being kids?

I do think there’s a certain ignorance that cannot be overlooked. Those kids have probably experienced very few, if any, homeless people on the street holding cardboard signs. They don’t jump to the same conclusions that many adults do, and that some people in their cars assumed about me… that I was standing on the corner, holding a cardboard sign, for one reason, and one reason only: to ask for money.

As adults, we've had more time to experience life. For some of us, this experience has opened our minds to incredible things, amazing people & some of the most beautiful acts of kindness the world has ever seen. For others, unfortunately, this life experience has infected minds with fear & pessimism.

It’s the same life we’re living. The only difference is how we choose to let it affect us.

The Ups & Downs

While the entire hour was very uncomfortable, I was caught off guard by how quickly & consistently my confidence rose & fell. I would get 3 honks & a bunch of smiles in a row, and the next traffic light cycle, 4 cars stopped, easily in view of the sign, didn't even look over at me, even after a big smile and a wave.

There were definitely more smiles, waves & honks than there were negatives. There were some people who saw the sign & showed no reaction. Others neglected to make any eye contact. But I’d venture to say, of all the people who made some kind of effort to notice me, easily more than 50% smiled/waved/honked. Probably close to 75%/25%.

Sociologically Speaking

One of the few breakdowns where I noticed a lopsided response was age. While I got positive & negative reactions from both younger & older people alike, it seemed as though more younger people showed a positive response. And even those whom didn't show a positive response, many more younger people put an effort in to read the sign (turning their head, looking over their shoulder), regardless of their reaction.

·         

   The Hardest Part

·         …might actually have been holding a smile non-stop for one hour LOL =D

Next Time

…and there just might be a next time. I’d be interesting to switch things up a bit & perhaps try again. If I did it again, I’d probably either:

a) Bring a boombox, a friend (preferably Ellen DeGeneres) and a sign that says “Dance Off!”, and, well… dance.

b) Offer to give people something. Perhaps, a smiley face sticker, or a hand-written card.

So… would you give this a try? How might you approach it differently?

And yes, I’d 100% recommend you try it. Please be safe, do it on a well-traveled corner, in daylight, and let others know where you’ll be & when you’re returning. Use your best judgement if & when talking to strangers (yup, the same thing mommy taught you when you were 5 still applies).