Love People Archives | A Million Beautiful Pieces

On this last day of 2018 I am filled with gratitude as I recount the amazing year I’ve had. Turning forty years old has been my year of re-awakening, re-aligning and re-learning. Thank you to the people who blessed my life this year, especially to everyone who follows A Million Beautiful Pieces.

Your likes, shares and recommendations helps to put Faith, Hope and Love into the world. Without your support, I would not be able to use my gifts and my story. You are the Wind Beneath My Wings. Together we will soar through 2019 and make it a year that will count.

I’ve been saving this poem by Erin Hanson just for today. You will want to save this to remind you not to pick up again what you must leave behind in 2018.

Take down all your trouble
And wrap up your regret
Tie them to the rays of light
The sun sheds as it sets.
Whisper all that was
To fleeting seconds as they pass,
But hold onto your hope
For something new is here at last.
Beg your own forgiveness
And then grant it in one breathe,
Lay the year down softly
As it waits to face its death.
Then sit with eye turned skyward
As the night-time comes alive,
All that’s been is over
And a new year has arrived.

-e.h

Happy New Year, my friends. Let’s make 2019 count.

When you give, it shall be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over

That is what immediately comes to my mind when I think of the founder of Doreen’s Door of Hope. Abigail Runganaikulu and her husband Colin Runganaikulu, are the owners of N&R Fittings http://nandrfittings.co.za/ and stalwarts in our community in Johannesburg South. They have had their share of heartaches and challenges over the years in struggling to conceive another baby after they had their son Ryan. Just as Ryan was ready to begin his married life, Abigail miraculously fell pregnant and in a few short years she had a second son, Caleb and then also became a grandmother when Ryan and his wife had their baby boy. Abigail is our modern day Sarah.

However not too long after Caleb’s birth, Abigail was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the same time both her parents were aging and endured their own traumatic medical challenges. Abigail chronicles her story about this painful time in her insightful book “My Stupid Brain Was Cut Off With My Right Breast”. It is a really great read about one woman’s ups and downs; her love; her heartaches but most importantly her tremendous sense of self and of her God. Abigail’s ability to share her life openly and honestly makes you feel as if you have known her all your life.

Having recovered from Cancer after an intense treatment and raising a new baby; Abigail also faced another challenge: the loss of her mentor and role model, her mother Doreen Challen. As a tribute to her mother’s own powerful story of a young girl born into harsh circumstances and having to deal with trauma and pain from a very young age, Abigail founded Doreen’s Door of Hope Centre in Lenasia. When I read Doreen’s life story on the website https://www.ddh.center/ , I was moved.

I am from the same part of Johannesburg and I could identify with certain aspects of Doreen’s story. I immediately wanted to be involved in some way because Doreen’s story and Abigail’s story resonated so strongly with me.

For that reason I am honored to be attending Doreen’s Door of Hope’s first charity fundraising event; A Masquerade Ball on 18 May 2018, as a Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa semi-finalist. I feel privileged to be in the company of women like Abigail and the rest of her team, namely Catharina Stoltz, Charmaine Naidoo, Savina Naidoo and Charmaine Berndt.

The Masquerade Ball will take place at 6pm at the beautiful Thaba Eco Hotel.

Please see details on the invite below and contact one of the ladies today to get your tickets or to get involved with Doreen’s Door of Hope.