Why am I thankful during the Thanksgiving Holiday?
I just wanted to say how thankful I am for having wonderful friends as my support system, and of course, to some certain individuals who I have met who really caused me so much heartache.
Heartache such as infighting, disrespecting each other’s opinions, cyberharassment, deaf versus deaf, disagreements, crossing personal boundaries such as calling one’s workplace complaining about online activities, lack of understanding of different perspectives, rejection of individuals or group of people who happen to be different or think differently, and dragging reputations through the mud.
Why am I thankful of these certain individuals? Because they made me stronger and helped me to know about myself more.
I learned that I don’t need to be accepted by a certain group, and I learned that it is perfectly fine for me to choose my own friends who share the same dream and vision. I also learned that it is okay to be ME! I am just fine for who I am!
Thankfully, I am still a strong minded and compassionate individual.
I learned not to believe otherwise, because I know that I am still strong minded, compassionate and caring person. I am brave to speak up what I believe, and not to follow other people’s beliefs. I learned that the Deaf community is larger than I thought, and there are wonderful people out there who cared and respected me for who I am.
Happy Thanksgiving to my friends and foes. May this Thanksgiving holiday makes you reflect and cherish what is important, RESPECT EACH OTHER.
For my friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me through the rough times. Thank you my dear DeafRead Team who gave me the opportunity to become a strong person, and helped me to see what is happening out there. Thank you to wonderful people who I have an opportunity to meet and reconnect in past few years through my online activities, who continued to support me no matter what.
Thank you for some individuals who I also met, and they allowed me to know bit more about you and your own beliefs which does not “jive” with my own beliefs, and we respect each other for what we do. I am thankful for some people who did not respect me, because I learned a valuable lesson here, is respecting my own boundaries even though you did not respect my boundaries.
Lastly, I am thankful for the Internet, DeafRead, DeafVideo.TV, and most importantly, technology that allows us to interface each other through American Sign Language (i.e. videophone, video comments, vlogs, and many more). This really opened my eyes, my heart and my mind about the Deaf Community and American Sign Language.
I wish I could name these people who steadfastly stood by with me. I believe you know in your own hearts that you did make a difference in me.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Best,
Amy Cohen Efron
November 25th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Likewise.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Same here. I am infinitely, permanently and forever thankful to those being benefactors to my being more true for what I am. It cannot even be more..
November 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
heart-touch! You are like the deaf Dear Abby (or was it Ann Landers?) who always had a Thanksgiving message about being thankful.
Your thoughts today remind me of a favorite poem, “Desiderata,” especially this part:
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
Thank YOU for the thoughtful truths you’ve bravely shared, as well as the open-minded listening. hugs,
Patty
November 26th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Fancy to see both Mayes and Baer think alike, and I, too, shall say “Ditto.”
In my prose, “The Temple of the Muses” (Manus, 1977, p. 8, I quoted Shakespeare’s line: “Alas, I say unto you this globe is yours, and it is your duty to learn of life from life, and should you fail to heed these words, you throw away a pearl richer than all your tribe.”
Keep up your courage and keep your chin up.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
That is totally awesome, Amy. I have more respect for you for observing what is good and what isn’t and becoming a stronger person because of it. You know, I’ve always stood by, watching how you handle the toughest things that are thrown your way- I wouldn’t be able to handle things the way you can. But, I can say you ARE my example that I can always look up to! Way to go, Amy! I am thankful for you!
November 27th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Very nice, Amy; now if we can just work on the other 364 days, lol. J’K You hang in there!