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Luella May

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WOMEN OF COURAGE - SECOND EDITION
1/7/2008 12:21:51 PM

In Memory of

John Elliott

The Corner 4 Women

Presents

Women of Courage

Each week we will honor a woman that has truly made a difference by her contributions, courage, love, and selflessness, despite facing insurmountable obstacles and adversities. Women honored will consist of women in politics, famous women, household names, and also women who you have never heard of, yet by their lives changed the world.

Luella's Corner presents Women of Courage every Monday at 4:00 pm Eastern Standard time.

Call in number (347) 205-9063

We welcome back our marvelous Team who adds quality and expertise to Women of Courage.

AdlandPro's very own Women of Courage:

Carla Cash
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/245569/default.aspx

Pauline Raina           http://community.adlandpro.com/go/301079/default.aspx

Branka Babic  http://community.adlandpro.com/go/BrankaBabic/default.aspx

Our very own Man of Courage

Georgios Paraskevopoulos  http://community.adlandpro.com/go/Genesis/default.aspx

Our Sweethearts of Courage

Shirley Caron http://community.adlandpro.com/go/scaronpoet2005/default.aspx

Michael Caron        http://community.adlandpro.com/go/192260/default.aspx

I am most proud to present a most beautiful and most humble of ladies.  Yet, through the most difficult of trials, and tragedies, and one tragedy that shattered her heart to pieces, this Woman of Courage continues loving and giving.

I present to you

Mary Denham

"Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."  ~Mary Anne Radmacher

The minute I saw the above quote, I knew that it described none other than Mary Denham.

Who is Mary Denham?  No one has ever heard of her.  She is by no means famous, she is not even an adland  member.  Yet Mary is by far the greatest philanthropist in the world.  I call her the greatest philanthropist in the world because she uses something far more valuable than money.  Mary uses her heart.

I first met Mary on moving to Mississippi some years ago.  We met quite by accident.  No we didn't.  It was destiny.  Looking to buy a house, I did not go through realtors.  I just went on auto pilot so to speak riding here and there and, of course, it had to be in the country.  One thing led to another and I found myself in front of Mary's house.  There was Mary doing yardwork wearing a big hat to keep her out of the sun while her brother Donnie pushed a mower.  Her little dog was romping and playing in the yard.  We made a verbal agreement that I would be the next owner of her house.  That is the day that Mary moved into my heart.

Mary is one of 10 children and from its onset, her life has been a challenge.  Being daddy's little girl, she was quite seriously abused by her mother.  While taking steps to protect herself, she also took it upon herself to be her siblings' protector.  Yet, she understands the intricacies of the heart.  She understands that her mother did the best she could with the heartbreaks that she, herself, suffered.  Her love for her mother never wavered.  She always loved and will always love her.

"You make your life with whatever you do.  If you are given lemons, you can use them to make lemonade." - Mary Denham

This may have been the experience that brought the caregiver role out in Mary.  She took care of the other children, she protected them, she loved them and did all she could to fill the role that her mother was not able to. 

Mary, grew up, married and had her own children to love and care for.  She gave birth to twins, Cindy and Lindy.  The worst tragedy of all occurred on the loss of Lindy in a tragic accident.  The worst tragedy than can befall a person is the loss of their child.  That is when Mary's very own life almost ended.  No, not physically.  That is when her heart lost its will to go on.  Yet, when there was no hope in her life, when she did not have a single person to turn to, she turned to God.  It was God, who held her in His tender embrace, who held her up and helped Mary to live again.   She stated that had God not been first and foremost in her life, she would have truly given up on life. 

Can you ever be the same after the loss of a child?  Hardly.  Yet, one can see that Mary and Lindy are still together, as Lindy lives in Mary's heart.  Lindy shares every facet of Mary's life.  I often tell those suffering from a loss that death does not break the bonds of love.  In fact, I will go further and state that death cannot break the bonds of love.  Yet, how can one comfort someone in this type of loss?  One cannot. 

Mary continued loving and caring wherever there was a need.  Yet, fate was not done with Mary.  Fifteen years ago, once again, tragedy struck.  Her brother suffered head trauma through violent means.  Although it did not take his physical life, he really did lose his life as he suffered massive head trauma.  Donnie was to become a different person and would never be able to care for himself again.  The loving sister, the little girl who once cared for and protected her siblings, took over.  To this day Mary cares for Donnie and includes him in every aspect of her life.  The sacrifices she has made have been many and she has forsaken her own happiness to care for her brother.  Let me tell you, this is not merely taking care of another human being.  I will not even compare taking care of her brother to taking care of a child.  Every day is a most difficult challenge for her, physically but most of all emotionally.  Yet, she will not release Donnie to a group home, as she will not accept anything less than the best of everything for him.

I have never met anyone more beautiful and humble than Mary.  And I will tell you that Mary's beauty shines from the inside to the outside.  With all her trials, when your eyes gaze on Mary's face, you see no evidence of the trials, hardships, and challenges that she has undergone and still undergoes.  Looking upon her face you see nothing but love.

I am going to send this link to Mary so that she can be a part of this celebration.  It would be such a blessing if this celebration would prompt her to join this marvelous community.  I know the love that all of you have in your heart.  She would be blessed and I assure you, she will bless your heart.

I will be interviewing Mary on Blogtalk Radio today at 4:00 pm EST.  I invite you all to join us.  I promise, Mary will inspire you.

Mary, I thank you for giving me the honor to celebrate your life and accomplishments.  And yes, you do indeed have a story my cherished friend, one of the most beautiful that I know of.  Your "light" will encourage and bring hope to many.

Thank you

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Re: WOMEN OF COURAGE - SECOND EDITION
1/7/2008 12:35:48 PM

Hi Luella,

Thanks for choosing Mary as your woman of courage this week.  What a wonderful person she seem to be!

I pray God's blessing on her and I thank her for allowing you to share her story with us.

Oniece

Leave a legacy for your family or favorite charity. http://onieceg.realstew.com
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Joe
Joe Downing

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Re: WOMEN OF COURAGE - SECOND EDITION
1/7/2008 1:13:18 PM


Luella,

You have brought a person into our lives that has shown us what our futures could be like.  No matter what the circumstances that arise, the outcome will be full of love and joy IF we plant it.  I am very touched by Mary's choices in life.  She didn't have to accept these responsibilities, but she did and other lives are lovingly affected.  And she did it all with that one true love... from the heart.  Wow!  You and Mary may not know it, but I bet someone is looking up to her as a real life heroine.  I know I am! 

Thank you once again for having the ability to see the loving hearts of others.

Joe






Mary,

For the sake of precious hearts all over this world, I send you this hug from my heart to yours.  I hope it will spread throughout this world showing everyone just how wonderful and rewarding showering unselfish true love to others can be.  We don't have to wait for tough cirmcumstances either.  Thank you so much for having the courage to take on what you have with love.  You are a very special person and I hope you will take Luella's request to join this community.  I am certain that we will all learn some great lessons of the heart from you.

May His blessings be abundant always,

Joe


***ADLAND BULLETIN BOARD*** What is Xtreme X2O? ###Get some X2O and Jerky RADICAL for the TRUTH! Laus Deo! ** HUG DEPARTMENT: Always OPE
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Re: WOMEN OF COURAGE - SECOND EDITION
1/7/2008 1:36:44 PM

Hi Luella,

 

I'm glad to see your forum back but did John pass-away? I knew he had a heart attack but I never heard anything more.

Waiting to here from you on this...

 

JOHN

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Amanda Martin-Shaver

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Re: WOMEN OF COURAGE - SECOND EDITION
1/7/2008 2:29:47 PM
Hello Luella,

Thank you for sharing Mary's story.  She is a great
candidate to start off the New Year woman of courage.

I also enquire about John, I looked through your older
threads to try and find more information but could not
see anything. - You say Memorial so I am assuming
that John may have passed away.


Kind regards
Amanda

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