I'm just curious about this and so thought I'd ask if any of you have a favorite video of mine here on LV and if so, what is the reason behind it?  LIke did it help you in any way thru something?  I ask because over the years, I've been teased so much from other family members and friends about making videos, and it would just be nice to know if my videos have helped make a difference for anyone?

Love & Peace,
'Chelle

Challenges in Life?  (round 2) VIDEO:

http://www.livevideo.com/video/CHELLE0774/E2ACF73FD6EC467DBAF0F1254BF81D4B/challenges-in-life-round-2.aspx


Searching for video replies to this video I made (see link above)- want to hear about your own life challenges and how they helped you become better and stronger person? I tag everyone on LV!  We can all learn from each other.

What a great guy! I love how he is so down to earth. And very talented, too :)
We had an awesome time at his show last night!

I wrote him a note that said my birth mom and I felt there was no better way than to celebrate our 10th reunion anniversary than with him. He read it right then and there and then after saying, "awww" and "thank you so much," he folded it up neatly and put it in his pocket. :)

Love & Peace,
'Chelle

P.S. Check out my photos section if you want to see the picture my husband took of Terry Fator, my birth mom, and me last night. (as soon as photo approves)

Today marks 10 years from the date my birth mother first found me.  I met her on Nov. 23, 1998.  Wow, where did all that time go?  I'm so grateful for having had ten years of knowing all of my biological family now!  All thanks to my birth mom - she found me and then helped me connect and find the other family members.

My husband, my birth mom & her husband, and I as well as my aunt & uncle all celebrated this special occassion by going to dinner tonight and then we'll see America's Got Talent former winner, Terry Fator Tuesday night.  What a great way to celebrate such a precious gift I've been given in life - my reunion with my birth family.

Love & Peace,
'Chelle

I wanted to share with y'all an article I wrote recently - it will be published soon my hometown's local newspaper.

Coping with the Holidays ...after Losing Loved Ones
by 'Chelle


Losing six relatives within six months has been a challenge for me. What a year it has been – this all began on March 17, 2008. My father who adopted and raised me died then. He had congestive heart failure and diabetes. Papa always had tried his best to provide and host family outings for us. He sponsored our family gatherings at restaurants and special venues, such as Elton John’s concert, Barnum & Bailey’s Circus, and Medieval Times, just name to name a few.

But, what I would give just to have a moment again with my father where we simply sit, talk, hug each other, and tell him how much I love him, miss him, and appreciate him. To honor his memory, my husband and I participated in a 5k walk, “Walk Me Home” and raised funds for the needs of foster children one weekend in May when it would have been my father’s birthday.

A few months after Papa passed away, my great uncle and his wife, my great aunt died about three weeks apart. “Uncle Doc” and “Anna Margaret” always hosted our annual Christmas family reunions. They were very loving and social people. I always had told them how they inspired me to want to continue extended family gatherings when I get older. I am grateful my mother’s cousin, Mary continues this tradition for now.

Then, the next month, on July 19th, while out celebrating my fifth wedding anniversary with my husband at Ft. Worth stockyards, I tripped on a piece of brick and fell forward so quickly I had no time to attempt to catch myself. As a result, I had broken arms and severely bruised chest. This same day would have been my parents’ 39th anniversary.

Then, six days after my fall, on my birthday, July 25th, my uncle died. This brought a range of emotions within me as I was grateful for having known “Uncle Steve” for ten years, but saddened that I had no more time with him. I have been reunited with birth family since 1998; he was birth mom’s brother.

And on August 3rd, my great aunt, "Aunt Martha" died. She always had the most soothing calm effect on others around her.

I had never lost so many family members within such a short time before. This was all new to me. I decided to become pro-active and get help for dealing with so many losses.

I attended a six week grieving support class August thru September, where I felt comfortable speaking openly about my feelings and sharing thoughts with others who were also affected by great losses. I had been seeking guidance and asking God to show me direction on the possibility of helping others grieving. One of the teachers asked me on the last day of class if I would like to volunteer and help future classes. It was an answered prayer. I was assigned to begin in November as a second assistant.

Then, Mama passed away on September 23rd, two weeks after class ended. I felt blessed to have been given the opportunity to be with her when it was her time of passing. I spent the night in the hospital the last night of her life. I read to her as Papa used to and I sang to her as well. The medical and hospice staff encouraged me to speak with her as they explained that hearing would be the last one of her senses to go. I did not have this opportunity with my father, so I really cherished it with Mama. Then, I realized my mother would no longer be suffering in pain from Parkinson’s and diabetes. She no longer misses Papa. My parents are together again, now in Heaven.

The hospital chaplain came to visit me while I was staying in Mama’s room. I specifically asked him for advice and to pray with me over the thoughts of whether I should continue with helping the class or not. And I will never forget his reply. He told me that sometimes your story and presence itself can help spread some hope to others. At that point, I knew the answer and currently assist the classes.

I’ll be experiencing the holidays without several relatives for the first time. There are so many traditions I had with my parents, especially so I think of them often lately. But, I have found ways to “Cope with the Holidays after Losing Loved Ones.”

For Halloween, I placed six mini-pumpkins on my fireplace mantle to represent my six lost loved ones. I also passed out a variety of candy to the trick-or-treaters that was each of my loved ones’ favorites, such as taffy for Mama and Baby Ruth for Uncle Steve. I found this gave me more strength and even inspired me to continue the tradition of Halloween, even if it felt differently this year.

For Thanksgiving, I will say a prayer of gratitude. I will thank the Lord for the blessing of having had the time I did with my lost loved ones and for how much they all affected me positively and helped make differences in my life.

And this year, I will light six candles and hang six angelic ornaments on my Christmas tree. I truly believe that all of my lost loved ones are now my guardian angels, and that itself gives me so much strength, courage, and determination to continue on and celebrate the holidays. And I know that is what they would want me to do.

SIDENOTE: During these six months, 'Chelle's biological father has had two serious life threatening surgeries. He is now going thru a very slow recovery process. Since she was raised by her adoptive family since she was a baby and reunited with her biological family since age 24 (she is 34 now), many different sides of all of her families have been affected by the family deaths and serious health issues.