Making a Difference

Sometimes when you are down, when you feel like no one notices what you do, when the world seems to be crapping all over you a reminder is needed....

The Starfish Story
adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
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I've been reminded lately by a few wonderful people about the differences I make...especially in the world of TTTS. My first remniders came in the last 10 days or so as 4-5 online friends sent me messages of thanks, of requests for support, of words of encouragement after I made the latest 'twin video'. I also had a request for support and connections for a new TTTS mom from right here in my area. She had the same medical team that I did and one of the doctors that I have remained friends with approached me to offer support. It really amazes me to see the difference I can make... I just do it and think nothing of it. It doesn't seem like much to me, though I am sure that when I am on the computer (too much) it seems like a lot to my family. But it is a way to help keep our son Cole's memory alive, and it pays tribute to his twin brother, Cameron.
But even more of a sign of the difference I can make can be found in this story
and this wonderful idea that my new friends whio work in fundraising for the foundation at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto came up with. I am the first person to use the 'service' and am so proud to feel Cole working through me to keep his memory alive...to help all families struggling with pregnancy complications. With any luck Cole will not be welcoming too many more angels to Heaven as with this money, this support, Dr. Ryan and his team will save more and more wee lives.