Inspiring Heroes for Today's Youth

When I stop to think of all of the people in my life that have inspired me, I am quite shocked at how small the list really is. It takes a lot to ignite a passion in me. Those people that make it to my list are people who have made the difference in the lives of children. Children are my passion, and people that take the time in life to motivate and encourage them earn my respect.
One of the two people who inspires me is a man by the name of Dave Pelzer. He is the author of A Child Called It and several other books that give an account of the abuse that he endured in the hands of his unstable, alcoholic mother. His case was one of the most severe and gruesome cases of child abuse in California history. He suffered years of physical, mental and emotional abuse that I can not even fathom. His mother played such severe mind games with him and called him an “It.” He was sent to school in filthy clothing that didn’t even fit him and was fed scraps of food that even an animal wouldn’t touch. No one in the outside world knew the hell that he was living behind closed doors. Finally at the age of twelve, with the help of a teacher, he was rescued and removed from his home and went on to live a life where he circumvented the maze of the foster care system. When he got older he joined the armed forces. He is now a world recognized motivational speaker to teens and those in the human service professions. He tells his story and shows how you can make a difference in the world no matter what your background baggage may be. This is a man who has beaten the odds and has gone on to win many prestigious awards. Pelzer was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 1993. I admire his strength and will to live. Without that he would have never made it through those hellish years alive.
The other person that inspires me is also a great motivator of today’s children. He is a young man named Ron Clark. Clark decided to leave his small town in North Carolina, live in Harlem, and teach some of the most challenging and troubled students. He was nominated Teacher of the Year in 2000, which was of no surprise to those whose lives have been affected by his teaching techniques. He has passion and huge amount of creativity to reach them. He uses his enthusiasm and love to encourage them. He shows the students that he cares about them and their success. Clark has written several bestsellers that are used to inspire teachers and parents alike. In the book Excellent 11, Clark shares the eleven qualities that he has seen in teachers that make a difference. These qualities are: enthusiasm, confidence, adventure, creativity, reflection, balance, compassion, humor, common sense, appreciation and resilience. I wish more teachers cared more about the lives they encounter everyday in their classrooms. Ron Clark is a teacher I wish I would have had in school.
These two men have been a strong example to me and have helped me to see the difference I have made as a foster parent. Many times I struggle with the feelings that I am not doing enough. I get called monthly to take in more foster children but I know my limits. There are so many children in this world that have never felt loved or like they are worth anything. When I look at my three children I remind myself where they might be if I had not taken them in. You can make a difference in the life of a child. All it takes is reaching one youngster at a time. I hope that I can inspire someone around me to reach out and make a difference.

Rage Triggers

I recently had to write on the essay "The Road Warrior" by Dave Barry and here is what came of it.

In the essay "The Road Warrior" , Dave Barry goes on a tangent explaining the cause and effects brought on by Road Rage. His comical viewpoints of life also enlighten us on other causes of rage.

While pondering my everyday life, as a full time mommy, I see many other trigger points for rage. How about public bathroom rage? It can be set off by a lone unflushed and clogged toilet, or a scarcity of "one-ply and it ain't Angel Soft" toilet paper in every stall.

There is also the Expresslane rage. Ten items or less is severely challenged when the old lady ahead of you has about 50 cans of cat food in her shopping cart(or buggy has my best friend from West Virginia calls it :) ). When this is brought to her attention, she says, "But they are all the same brand" This rage has caused customers to become hostile with their shopping carts and while throwing items on the conveyor belt.

The most recent rage trigger I have participated in is the TMX Elmo RAGE, AKA, Hottest Toy for Christmas Rage". Women and men alike abandon all niceties and race to the back of the store to the toy section. Children and old people become victims of hit and runs with shopping carts. As these parents scan the shelves in search of the red furry, top secret friend, a collision occurs that resembles a pileup on Interstate 80. The uncontrollable laughter that marketing claims Elmo will bring is null and void. The few lucky folks that have mastered their football skills leave with Elmo in hand unscathed. TMX Elmo Rage can be found at the store nearest you.

College here I come

I got wonderful news yesterday from the Financial aid Department at the college I will be going to in Sept. I qualified for a Pell Grant and it looks like it will cover everything. I just pray that my books aren't outrageously priced. I am going to buy used ones anyway. Today I am going to take my placement tests. I am actually quite nervous about it and I am trying to get the butterflies in my stomach calmed down.
After we get these results back I can then register for my first semester of classes.