ALLIANCE NEWS
GLMS Alliance NEWS
Debi McDonald, President - [email protected]
The GLMS Alliance exist to promote support among physician families and better the health and wellness of
our community through supporting local charities. Together we live a life unique to the challenges and rewards
of being a physician family. If you are a physician or the spouse/child/parent of a physician please JOIN US! For
more information visit the Alliance link on the GLMS.org website.
T
he GLMS Alliance has a long, rich history with The
Healing Place, from being an integral part of its founding,
to making Thanksgiving stuffing for 700 people. Over
the years, the Alliance has been ready to do anything
we can to help with this much needed program in our
community. This year will be no different. In mid-November, we
are teaming with Healing The Children to sponsor a family event
at The Healing Place women’s facility. We will have a celebration
complete with crafts, music and special treats sure to bring much
needed cheer. Bringing families together is a huge part of the con-
tinued healing those in need are working towards. Additionally,
in November we will be decorating both the men’s and women’s
facility for the holidays with eight full trees, eight wreaths, and
much more! Many decorations and helping hands are needed. If you
would like to be a part of this wonderful endeavor, please contact
us at [email protected].
HEALING THROUGH LAUGHTER
H
olidays can be a very hard time for those suffering from
the loss of a loved one. Thanksgiving 2006 was set to
be a dismal one for my family. Tears were still a daily
part of my family’s life. We had lost our 3-year-old
daughter, Sami, tragically in May. With the time to give
a country-wide thanks just around the corner, we struggled each day
to always see the blessings. Other than the obvious pain of losing
our daughter, I also had a stifling fear that joy would never truly be
a part of our lives again. As the holiday drew near, we were invited
to join our family in London to get away. Thinking this would be a
great way to escape this holiday, we accepted the invite.
Knowing this was a very sensitive time for us, Cousin Paula said
she prayed for exactly how to minister to us. Her unexpected answer
was to fully embrace Thanksgiving and to laugh. She did the whole
turkey and dressing meal, but she also added a turkey costume for
her husband, turkey hats for all others and many turkey carols.
She dropped the plan on me the night before. I must tell you the
thought of it was not immediately welcomed. The next afternoon,
following a few silly tunes, my children began to laugh. Seeing my
children happy was heartwarming but I was still not “feeling it.” Then
walked in Cousin Scott in the turkey costume, it was over the top!
After an hour of watching him try to truly play his part, complete
with authentic turkey sounds, we were all belly laughing so hard we
believed our sides would split. It was a holiday to always remember.
I cannot think about it even today without giggling. What Satan
meant for evil, to continue to drag us down, God turned to joy,
peace and Thanksgiving.
Photos of McDonald family Thanksgiving 2006 in London - ER doc Geoff, Debi, Jacob and
Rebecca
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE