Readers share their amazing, inspring stories

Contributed photo

ENLARGE PHOTO

Contributed photo Wendy Baker and her husband, Dan. Contributed photo

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Daryn Kagan, Contributing Columnist 2:47 PM Saturday, April 23, 2011

Dearest Readers:

From the moment I announced the launch of DarynKagan.com, the critics scoffed, “But how can you fill a website based on inspiring stories? How will you have enough inspiring stories to tell?”

Silly critics! Surely, they underestimate how many wonderful things are happening in the world. And they don’t know I count on my best resource — you readers.

I continue to be amazed, inspired and delighted by the great stories you are sending me.

I wish I could reprint all your great letters. Here is a sampling of what’s coming into my inbox.

Co-workers, friends who truly made a difference

Dear Daryn,

I’ve worked at LexisNexis for almost 14 years with amazing people. I broke my leg Sept. 28, and Oct. 1 was diagnosed with tongue cancer. I was forbidden to go to my barn for over 16 weeks by both my orthopedic surgeon and my head and neck oncologist.

One of my dear friends, Lana Raco, put together a schedule of volunteers to feed our horses and cats down at the barn twice a day every day for four months.

Lana held a “How to feed the horses and cats 1:1 class” for about 10 people. Lana also gave each of them a sheet of directions that they could carry with them and posted one in the feed room for easy reference. From that point on every day, I would see a different person or persons coming out rain, shine or even snow to feed our animals. My husband, Dan, is a truck driver and not home every day.

I can’t tell you how much this meant to me, my husband and my mom who stayed with me every day that Dan was on the road and took me to all of my doctor’s appointments and to my radiation treatments. I thanked God every day for these special friends.

Then in December another couple of ladies from work came and put up our Christmas tree, decorated it and the house and did some light cleaning. It was so sweet of them to do this and was much appreciated. We (our LexisNexis family) are truly blessed with wonderful co-workers and friends.

While I was in the hospital, Lana was approached by another Lexis employee who said she heard what I was going through and that her church wanted to come out and help. About 20 of them came out and spent the day and did yard work, house, garage and barn cleaning along with some other chores down at the barn. When I was finally released from the hospital eight days later, we arrived home to the wonderful smell of a home-cooked meal, clean house, garage and nicely groomed yard, along with five happy dogs, several cats and horses. It was a great day to be home.

God has blessed me with my life and wonderful co-workers and dear friends. I wouldn’t be here without God and all of the prayers and help we received during my recuperation. Thanks Lexis Cares for everything.

— Wendy Baker, LexisNexis

Dear Wendy,

You remind me that we don’t have the power to control all that shows up in our life, but we sure do have the power to choose what we focus on. Yes, cancer happened to you. However, from the sound of your letter it sounds more like an amazing community of friends and strangers happened to you. How wonderful!

You also remind me of a great website we can use when you want to organize helping out. It’s called WhatFriendsDo.com, started by the mother-daughter team of Fran and Aimme Kandrac. You’ll find a very useful place where those facing a big challenge list the help they truly need and we friends can sign up for what fits into our busy lives. A win-win all the way around.

I remember when a friend’s husband was battling cancer a few years ago. My friend was so appreciative of all the help and support loved ones were trying to give. Still, she confessed to me one day, “Daryn, if I see one more chicken casserole, I think I’m going to gag.” Meanwhile, there were so many little things that would’ve really helped. She just didn’t know how to ask. WhatFriendsDo.com is perfect for that.

— Daryn

Three-legged cat

I received some great responses to my column about my three-legged cats. Apparently, I’m not the only one who has the talent of attracting them.

Cindy writes:

Dear Daryn,

I too have three-legged cats! Three of them!

I’ve adopted all three; all were initially named Tripod; I’ve renamed them:

Grayson, Purrleen and the most recent, Zsa Zsa (as in Gabor, who was in the news recently for having a leg amputated).

They are the joys of my my life!

As a breast cancer survivor, I know what it’s like to have a body part chopped off... I guess that’s why I’m partial to tripods.

These cats are extra-special... I’m lucky they are a part of my life.

— Cindy Pearson, Herndon, Va.

Dear Cindy,

Not everyone understands our passion. I was just in a meeting with some television executives last week when I mentioned I’m on my third three-legger. Let’s just say I might not be getting a call back. Ha! That’s okay, we animal lovers know our special friends pay us in a way we could never get from a paycheck.

Anyone intrigued with the idea of the immense love these special cats can give might want to check in with SART, a cat rescue operation in St. Mary’s. Sounds like they have a special little lady with an incredible spirit who just might be the perfect match for you and your family.

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