"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread... They offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. "
-Viktor E. Frankl
"Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.
Everything is, everything exists, only because I love.
Everything is united by it alone.
Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source."
—Leo Tolstoy
"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who tells you different is selling you something."
- Wesley, "The Princess Bride"
A terrific and funny movie indeed but so much truth in that one line!
Life is pain and suffering and loss and hurt and all of those things we have come to fear and try to avoid at all costs.
But guess what? They are facts of life and the sooner we accept that we will meet struggles, meet pain, meet loss, and hardship on this journey, the sooner we can work on solutions to these problems and move past them!
If we know what to expect, know that at some point these things will confront us, and accept that as a fact, the better we can prepare to fight through them and be ready when they do rear their ugly heads!
And they will eventually...and that is ok!!
Now, a life without struggle and some hardship is something we can and maybe should aspire to obtain, but to let these tough things completely take over our lives and make us miserable is foolhardy on our part!!
Some have more pain, more struggle and complications than others, however, we all must see the VALUE AND BLESSINGS that come with overcoming hardship, loss and pain!
People who do overcome these obstacles are inspirations to us all and we should follow their lead!!
Never lose faith that no matter what what we encounter, things will always get better, that everything passes eventually, and that through this test by fire, we emerge stronger, better, deeper and more clear as to why we are here in this life!!!
We need to use each other, be there for each other, and help each other navigate this landscape of uncertainty and anxiety.
We are not alone- YOU are never alone!!!
Embrace this life and make the best of this short time we have here! Use the right measurements of what "success" really means and think about what you want the world to remember about you and what you are doing here!
Stay Strong!!!
The World lost a wonderful man this week. His smile lit up the room and his gentle and friendly nature always made it a pleasure to see him. He will truly be missed by all that knew and loved him. And his smile that fit and originated his nickname will always endure!! May God Bless him and his entire family.
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> Robert J. "Hap" L'Heureux 76, of 125 Harrington St., died Friday, July 1, 2011 at his home.
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> He leaves his wife of 54 years, Patricia L. (Christian) L'Heureux; his son, Robert F. L'Heureux and his wife Kathleen of Dudley; his daughter, Kim L. O'Toole and her husband Robert of White Plains, NY; 6 grandchildren, Alicia, Jacqueline, Spencer, Johanna, Christian and Robert. His sister, Claire Fahey died in 1992. Hap was a truck driver for 29 years, for the former Consolidated Freightways in Worcester, retiring in 1995. He was a longtime member of the Local 170 Teamsters Union in Worcester. He was born in Spencer, the son of Wilfred and Jeanne (Boudoin) L'Heureux and later graduated from David Prouty High School in Spencer. He was a former member of the Massasoit Golf League, a longtime member of the Growler's Golf League at Hillcrest C.C. in Leicester, and the Greendale Retired Men's Club. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in E. Brookfield. Along with his wife, they enjoyed spending their winters in Margate, FL. On behalf of Hap's family, they would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of the Growler's Golf League for their special friendship, comradery and support shown to him over the years.
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> The funeral was held on Tuesday, July 5 with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 Church St., Spencer. Friends are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will be in Mary, Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. (Please respect the family's wishes, as the burial will be private). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dr. Lambert for 3rd. World Countries, 119 Belmont St., (Swift House), Worcester, MA 01605.
