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Lenten Period

It is that time of the year when people of various walks of life and beliefs make a decision to give up something special as an act of self denial for the reparation of sins. This year is not different either. In deed, there I a lot to atone for. From the scandals in the Catholic Church and in many other churches that are yet to be exposed. In addition, the abuse or abuses in many families that go unreported and covered up. These list of pains and wounds is certainly endless, but as faithful Christians and citizens we can use this Lenten Period to atone for all these sins.

What is important, is not what one decides to give up, but a sincere commitment to fasting and prayer. More so, fasting and fasting in secret that God may bless you one for their faithful acts. Furthermore, give up what you save in the process. For example, one year I gave up a dollar a day for 40 days https://www.drandkids.com/40-days-40-acts-of-kindness-40-acts-of-gratitude-40/. I sent the money to help a mission ran by missionary priests. For it is in giving that we receive…and a generous giver is a blessed person. Remember the measure in which you give, you shall likewise receive.

In summation, the decision is yours, the sacrifice is yours, and the blessings and benefits are yours as well. However, those acts of kindness, mercy and love not only benefit you but also flow into the world to make it a much better place than it already is. Together we can achieve much. Fast! Pray! Penance!

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Human Heart

Do we really appreciate it enough? 

Heart beat
heartbeat

Its Valentine’s Day…the one day where there are more flowers, affectionate messages and heart symbols exchanged than any other. However, just how much do we value or appreciate the source of all that love or affection. Astonishingly , chances are, in the hustle and bustle of life, the human heart is the least remembered.

The heart is the most efficient pump known to man, working 24/7, beating approximately 86000 to 144000 per day and close to 2 billion times in a lifetime. Moreover, it is the heart that defines a person’s demeanor. For from the heart comes all forms of good or malice. According to St. Mathew, ‘For from the HEART come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. These are what defile a person.’ Mathew 15: 19-20. It comes as no surprise then that the psalmist prayed, “A clean HEART create for me, God…” Ps 51:12.

We at Dr&Kids have grown to appreciate the human heart in more ways than not. A little shy away from a one-year adversary of a cardiomyopathy diagnosis, over 700 ECGs later we know just how wonderful and mysterious the human heart can be. Take for example, we celebrate every time our daughter has a ‘normal’ heart beat rhythm. In addition, we recognize the 95% times she has an irregular heart rhythm. Every now and then we get a little concerned if her irregular heart rhythm really looks ‘out of place.’ However, she continues to lead a completely normal life with no medication or assistive devices.

As we celebrate Valentine’s day we pray and thank God for all hearts. We thank God as many times as all the heartbeats from all of creation on this day. Altogether, we join the psalmist in praying, “A clean heart create in us, God.” We wish you a happy Valentine’s Day. It is also heart health month, have your heart checked…you may never know what mystery awaits you…

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Daddy, Do You Have Time?

Daddy, Do You Have Time?

Every now and then my daughter will ask if I have time. For her, my having time means we do something together. For example, play a card game, or Snakes and Ladders Game among other things. This past Saturday as we were headed out to do some shopping with her, she asked if I had some free time later.

I laid out my plans of the day for her. Part of my plans included going to help a family friend who needed my assistance. My daughter (7 years old) realized my schedule was somewhat full. Noticing her disappointment, I asked her what she had in mind. Her answer surprised me.

“Daddy, it is okay, you can go help our family friend. You see, you will always have me…but you will not always have him! So, it is okay.” She added with a sad but convincing tone.

I felt my heart sink. At 7 years of age…I did not want my daughter to have to make such tough decisions just to fit in my busy schedule. Consequently, moving forward, I have resolved to make time on a regular basis to ‘just do their’ things. Not that I have not been doing it already…but now, it will be ‘my kids time in their own terms.’ Say a prayer for me…this is not going to be easy…

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A Child’s Act of Kindness


The following took place in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where our eldest daughter -Kui, was a patient. The nurse assigned to care for Kui was called Linda. On this particular day, the rest of the family had come to visit Kui and enjoy some much needed family time. Rita, our youngest daughter on getting to see her sister all connected to machines realized that she had some heart ‘challenges’ she was dealing with. That however did not dampen Rita’s spirit. She was her usual jovial and cordial self.

She quickly connected with Linda the nurse. They played cards games, shared jokes and more. Out the blue, Rita offered me a dollar to give to Linda our nurse saying…”Daddy, please give this dollar to Linda, I know she needs it.” My immediate reaction was to ignore Rita’s request and tell her to keep her dollar. More so, I was not about to embarrass Linda by offering her a dollar from a 6 year old child. In addition, I did not want to be mean to Rita…my mind battles were still going on when Rita and the rest of the family left to return back home.

I summoned all my courage and offered Linda the dollar. She turned it down out rightly. However, I reasoned with her telling her, it would be unkind to turn down a child’s act of kindness. she begrudgingly accepted the dollar. I thought nothing more about the incident. Linda however was very touched by the event. She made a ‘dollar heart’ and wrote the letter below to Rita.

Dear Rita

Thank you so much for your gift. I

really appreciate it and am so

touched by your kindness. In

return, I want to give you a dollar

back, but it is folded into a heart

so you will always remember me

by. Don’t worry, I will always keep

the dollar you gave me as a good

luck charm. Lastly, stay strong for

your big sister. You are doing

such a great job already.

                        Love,

                        Linda

I am surely glad, I let go the formalities and expectations of my current world…All these would not have happened if I had kept the dollar to avoid ‘inconveniences.’ Have a free day…