Commentary: Readers share stories of hope, inspiration

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By Daryn Kagan, Staff Writer Updated 2:06 PM Saturday, November 20, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving, wonderful readers!

2010 has been an incredible year. I have so much to be thankful for that frankly it would take more than this space that I now fill each week.

This holiday wouldn’t be complete without expressing thanks for you. Yes, you.

You might not be aware of this, but this column started as a simple, fun experiment last month. What would it look like to take the inspiring stories from my website and mix them with my personal life and the lessons I’ve learned along the way?

Apparently, it looks like something you like very much. Your response has been so enthusiastic and warm that a newspaper column has been born.

So please know that your open hearts and applauding hands are at the top of the list of things I am so thankful for this year.

I love hearing from you and your own inspiring stories like these.

Single mom learns to reach out to others

Dear Daryn: At the worst time of my life, God had a very special message for me — a message of hope.

In August of 2005, my ideas and life were at a complete dead end. With no job, I was barely able to pay my bills, and with two young children to raise, I was close to giving up.

I felt compelled to apologize to God for not knowing how to handle my situation and said, “I’m sorry” to the silent stars overhead.

Then I heard a voice tell me, “Go, write what you hear. If you don’t like it, you can quit.”

It was almost as though I was having a dream, and I said out loud, “I can’t and I’m too tired.”

Struck by a strong feeling of curiosity and blissful hope, I went to the computer. I had nothing to lose but more sleep. A kind and gentle voice began with, “Hear me, and be calm ...”

“IamthatIam: Be still, and know that I am God” was the resulting book.

I could not have guessed that taking such a small step out of the way would allow for a miracle that has changed my life forever.

It has given me a divine purpose for being a single parent and allowed me to reach out to single mothers around the world.

“The need is great for your inner strength and perseverance, for you must teach this child that compassion is more powerful than war, to take good care of this fragile world called Earth, and to love My creatures for all are priceless in their worth.”

These words motivated me to change the way I parent. It is an ongoing, daily commitment to show up for your family and do your best when faced with a new speed bump of failed ideas or disheartening situations.

Having been one of the lucky ones with parents and an older brother who stood by me through every difficult situation, I learned to count my blessings.

Growing up in the Dayton Catholic school system taught me God holds a special place in his heart for mothers.

Being adopted has taught me parenting is a lifelong choice we make —not a biological predisposition.

My family has also taught me the importance of helping others. Their volunteer work showed me at an early age me the value of reaching out.

Actively supporting mothers to realize their power and importance in shaping young lives can move the world forward in a humane and life-affirming way. Isolation, material scarcity and a lack of support often stand between mothers and their goals or potential.

— Christina Ciani (a Dayton native, Alter High School graduate, class of 1986) of Columbus

Dear Christina: I bet a lot of single moms are giving thanks for you as they discover your inspiring work. Your story reminds me of a phrase that has guided me, “Create what you seek.” I believe I first came across the concept in one of Dr. Wayne Dwyers’ books.

You needed inspiration and guidance to get through your challenges, so you created it! In doing so, you get to be the vessel to help so many others. Isn’t that the best?!

Honestly, that’s how I came to create my inspiring news website. As I found myself losing my CNN job and nursing a broken heart, “This isn’t the life I planned,” I cried.

I started gathering stories about good things happening in the world because I needed to see them. Little did I know it was launching me on a wonderful chapter of my life and career that now includes the great opportunity of this newspaper column.

I’ll be thinking of you and your boys as I gather with my family around our Thanksgiving table.

Here’s to so much that we are grateful for, even the challenges we thought we would never pick. — Daryn

‘Dirt of life gives us foundation to bloom’

Dear Daryn: I’m sure you have met many people who had the odds stacked against them, and they carried on. Some of those with great odds to beat stand tall, find themselves and miraculously persevere into greatness to help others.

I want you to meet Kettering native Greg Marischen. Greg survived a near-death boating accident when he was a young man in law school. His chances of surviving were slim. But he managed to finish law school even though he was not supposed to survive or walk. He trumped all of those odds.

Later in life, he reached for something more meaningful. Greg left law behind and opened Ohio’s first Brain Balance Center for children with disabilities. Life is about celebrating what you can because you never know what may happen along the way.

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