1 Dani Dorian danimarie1252@gmail.com 1 2009-10-20T22:35:32-06:00 1021 312 I was seventeen at the time and my grandma had just passed. It was one of the saddest things I've had to deal with. During the processional to the burial site, we had to drive through a well known gang area. My grandma purchased the plot next to her mother and father years before the neighborhood become a gang hangout. As we were driving down the street, we couldn't help but notice a group of "questionable characters" standing at the corner. It happened to be that we got stopped at a traffic light on this corner, and instinctively got a bit nervous. There were about five or six of them, and I will never forget this moment. As most of them looked at our new car, one stood from the bus bench he was on, and took off his hat. He made the sign of the cross as my grandmother's hearse turned the corner, and he didn't acknowledge his friends' laughter at the sight of it. Ever since then, I try not to make hasty judgments about people. In today's world, it's easy to label a person from where they are from, how they dress, or even by the company they keep; if you take the time to let a person show their true colors, it might surprise you in the end. 2009-11-10T15:45:58-07:00 1 Travis C. travis.collins23@yahoo.com 1 2009-09-03T00:10:20-06:00 985 299 Growing up wasn't easy for me - I was a very mean and aggressive person because of my disorder. When I was twelve years old my counselor gave me medication to help me with my behavior, but I still lacked one thing and that was motivation. I did not have anything to look forward to. That all changed during my freshmen year in high school. An autistic kid had enrolled in our school district and after a while he and I became real close friends. Because of him I volunteered in the Special Olympics and I even wrote a book on autism while still in high school. During my senior year I decided I wanted to be a Special Ed. Teacher and it was my autistic friend who showed me my true role in life. I love working with special needs kids! 2009-09-12T00:00:17-06:00 1 chaquirah1@hotmail.com 0 2009-06-09T16:06:34-06:00 896 271 Respect is a very important value in my life. Especially manners. Please and Thank you are words that can make a difference in someone's day. One day a while ago when I was about ten years old my mom and I were at Publix. On this particular day they had various samples of many foods out. Being ten I wanted to try every sample. At one station an older woman, probably in her 60's, was distributing cereal samples. I watched as many people breezed by and took their samples. I walked up to the sample tray and asked "May I have one please?" She kindly gave me one and I responded "Thank you." The sales associate told me that I was the first person to tell her thank you all day and that it had made her day. It made me happy knowing that I had made someone else happy. All it took was two words. I still remember that day clearly, seven years later. Respect makes a difference in lives. 1 2009-09-12T00:00:16-06:00 1 deadlymangolove@live.com 0 2009-05-29T18:47:40-06:00 892 269 My story may not be one of many challenges or of many hardships. But it is one that I know made me who I am today.\r\n\r\nIt started the year of sixth grade. I met and became best friends with a girl named Carla. We made each other laugh and smiles were never far away. Then summer came. Carla was more of a tomboy and an outside type of girl, I was not. I spent much of my time indoors reading, singing, playing on the computer and generally doing anything you could indoors. Carla asked for me to play outside numerous times. I played only a few. Sadly, because of this we grew apart.\r\n\r\nSoon, seventh grade arrived. I walked with Carla and our conversations were painfully awkward. We just were not as close. I soon realized this and made an effort to try and change. Carla also had a friend named Amber. Amber, while nice to me around Carla, I often heard her saying things that should not be said in a classroom about anyone. Now, understand this. I am not what people call �normal.� Nor am I a crazy person.\r\nBut, I do believe that I am abnormal. This was the reason I believe for her dislike also that I was best friends with Carla while she wished to be. \r\n\r\nI became paranoid. Believing that I was losing Carla. I cried often, usually in class. For a few weeks I told myself that it would get better, to keep trying, and to just be strong. Wait it out. The days went by�it never improved in fact it got worse in my mind.\r\nThen I finally gave in and went to the counselor. I immediately liked her. She talked to me and was supportive while I choked out my sadness through my lips and told my story. She said I was most likely under stress and very tired. She sent me home with my dad. I cried on his shoulder. My little cousin and I played in the play place at McDonalds. I forgot for a while.\r\n \r\nI walked to Carla�s house and told her about my feelings. She seemed to understand. I cried and we laughed. Still not quite the same though. I was feeling like I was a boring person.\r\n\r\nIt started getting worse. I started crying when I woke up and before I went to bed. I cried in the shower and begged my parents to take me out of school. They refused. I know they did this for my own good. I love them and always will. I went to the counselor many times over those weeks. Then my birthday came around. My twelfth and to me it was a big deal. I invited Carla, my friend Alyssa, my cousin Grace, and a girl I hardly knew but was friends with named Kori. Everyone arrived except for Alyssa. We all began to talk and laugh. But, then something Carla said, something that had been bugging me, set me off, �I�m mad at you.� Those four words always made me feel worried, upset, mad, and now that I had heard them for a million times and at my birthday party! I exploded, yelling. She yelled back and she climbed out of the pool. I tried not to feel bad or affected but, I did.\r\n\r\nFinally, I arose out of the pool and went over to talk with her. I saw she was crying. She never cried, so I knew it was bad. We sat and talked, yelling some more. Eventually we both calmed down and relaxed for the night. I told myself repeatedly that it would be all right. I think what got me through it all besides my parents was the fact that I knew I would be all right, and my determination and strength. Eventually, we really did come to an end. We sat against the wall at my school. She told me that she didn�t want to be friends anymore. I then ran off. I found comfort in my other friends. \r\n\r\nI became good friends with Alyssa and best friends with Kori. I knew that somewhere in between it all I would get better. In all the tears my doctor subscribed me with Anti-depressant pills. I still take them. After a few months she always came and checked up on me. \r\n\r\nOne day Carla came to my house and sat with me on my porch and asked me if I was happy. I was. I had new friends. Friends that didn�t confuse me or get mad at me for everything or get embarrassed by me. She then told me that she was deeply sorry and regretted breaking off our friendship and she wondered if I wanted to be her friend again. I told her that I forgave her. I did. I knew she was truly sorry. And the whole thing wasn�t entirely her fault. But, I could never be the same way. We became friends and talk to each other but, aren�t what we used to be.\r\n\r\nOver all, the experience taught me something that I just realized today at my last day of seventh grade. It made me stronger. It made me who I was. Made me someone that people look to when they need advice, and someone who my friends laugh at and with. I�m me, because and despite of our ended friendship.\r\n \r\nIt took me a while but, I trust again in friendship. Kori showed me what it really can be. I�m also glad that all is at peace between Carla and me. I have respect for the way she came to me and apologized. I am behind all the sadness now and I have gone on to live my dreams. I have new friends who love me, a happy family, and a promising future.\r\n\r\n 1 2009-09-12T00:00:16-06:00 1 0 2008-10-07T10:54:27-06:00 633 198 2 2009-09-12T00:00:16-06:00 Respect_Hockey.flv 1 hobbles_v_1608@embarqmail.com 0 2008-02-03T11:50:02-07:00 432 138 My grandmother taught me several things before she passed away and many of them have stayed with me to this day. One of the things that she taught me was that when a funeral procession is going by, that you should pull over to the side of the road and let the grieving pass.\r\n\r\nAs I was driving down a road one day, I saw the flashing lights of the police car that was leading a procession. Once I realized what was going on, I pulled to the side of the road and turned my radio all the way down. As I watched the family of the deceased pass, there was one man on a motorcycle that looked me in the eye and nodded his head in appreciation. After he passed, I kept on looking and saw each face that passed. I also noticed the cars that kept on speeding by, not even thinking about what they were in the midst of.\r\n\r\nWhen the last of the cars passed I pulled back on the road and felt something inside of me that I have never felt before. I know that someone saw what I did and was inspired to do the same when they are put in that situation again. It feels good to know that I can not only live my grandmother’s advice, but I can teach others it’s value as well. \r\n 1 2009-09-12T00:00:16-06:00 1 0 2007-08-02T07:59:47-06:00 289 105 A couple of years ago, my wife and I purchased a new truck. I took my father-in-law out for a test drive to show it off, and I could tell the horsepower and all the extras impressed him.\r\n\r\nAs we turned a corner, however, a truck pulled out in front of us. We have all seen a truck like this truck before. White, rusty in some spots, rusted out holes in others, bed full of ladders, tools, paint buckets, ropes, and various other work materials. It sputtered as it pulled out, and I had to slightly brake, so as not to rear end it.\r\n\r\nI kept thinking to myself about how this guy and his truck were ruining my afternoon drive. “How am I going to show off my truck when I’m stuck behind this loser?” The words out of my mouth were: “He needs to get that thing fixed.” \r\n\r\nMy father-in-law, who had said maybe ten words the whole drive, kept looking straight ahead and said calmly, “He’s probably doing the best he can.” He was very matter-of-fact when he said that, his voice reflected no pity--just empathy and understanding. The simplicity and truth in his words gave me just the valuable reminder I needed that day. \r\n 1 2009-09-12T00:00:16-06:00 1 0 2006-08-22T09:49:05-06:00 67 53 This little story I’m about to tell you happened when I was about 11 years old, and I’ll never forget it.\r\n\r\nI was at my friend Jenny's house after school one day, and we were doing (or not doing!) homework. While I was there a friend of Jenny's mom came over to visit.\r\n\r\nI don't remember her name or even what her face looked like. I just remember her hands, her voice and the lesson she taught me.\r\n\r\nI can still see her hand reaching out for mine in our introduction. They were so beautiful, I thought; rich, dark skin perfectly complemented by the tangerine colored polish on her nails. Then I heard her saying, (and not at all in a condescending manner) "Oh no, that is NOT how you shake hands. Let me show you how."\r\n\r\nAfter that, I just remember her voice explaining the importance of a good handshake, conveying a positive sense of self, looking the other person in the eye, making that first moment matter...I think in that exchange I first understood respect.\r\n\r\nI respected her for taking the time to teach me about one of those subtleties in life. I appreciated the fact that she didn't talk down to me because I was 11 or because I didn't know something. And so because of that I felt somewhat respected, I mean in the way she treated me. It felt good to be talked to like a real person, and not like whatever the general perception of an 11-year-old would be. I also appreciate her instilling the idea that if someone doesn't know or isn't aware of something, have compassion and point him or her in the right direction; don't be afraid to share your knowledge.\r\n\r\nI think of her every time I meet someone new...and I’m so thankful for her little lesson. 1 2009-09-12T00:00:15-06:00 1 0 2006-08-22T08:32:50-06:00 57 43 Every time I look at myself and think on how much I've gone through, I still hardly believe that I have become the strong person that I am now. The biggest factor I'd like to consider is my relationship with my father. I learned to stand on my own, make decisions on my own because he let me do it. This started in my high school years when I'd always to ask permission to go out with friends. My mother and my eldest brother would usually prohibit me, which I found it very disappointing. But I found solution from my father. I would ask his permission and promise him to be back at a designated time, which I did exactly. And things went on between the two of us. I would confide things to him; my dreams and aspirations, where I want to go and what I want to do. Even my teenage crushes and love letters. He would always listen ready to give support. He never scolded me for things I’ve told him. I felt how much he appreciated my trust to him. This gave me so much confidence and encouragement to realize my dreams. I feel good to be free and independent because my father allowed me to be. Now I pass on the good attitude I got from my father. 1 2009-09-12T00:00:15-06:00 1 0 2006-08-22T08:28:35-06:00 55 41 Life is unpredictable. Before the start of the summer, I had no idea that I would be a YMCA summer camp counselor. Now, here I am near the end of the summer, finishing up camp. I can’t say it’s been easy, but it was undoubtedly a beneficial, enjoyable experience for me.\r\n\r\nThe children I helped take care of were very energetic. They were so playful. I found out that kids never run out of energy. We could come back from a full day of swimming at Rockland Pool, and they’d still want to play dodge ball. It took a lot of strength and effort on my part to keep up with them. Sure, camp was meant for the kids to have fun, but the YMCA camp went beyond that and instilled values in the kids. This was a process I enjoyed implementing. Children need values in life and the YMCA promoted four main values. They were respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.\r\n\r\nI remember a time I tested the honesty of the kids. At camp, we had gone over each of the four values. I knew the kids knew them, but would they practice them? Once a girl in my group found a quarter. She was honest and gave it to me, telling me that it wasn’t hers. I went to ask the kids whose quarter it was. At once, all of the kids jumped up and down laughing, saying, “mine, mine.” Then I asked them if they were being honest, reminding them that it was one of the four values. One by one, the kids admitted that the quarter was not theirs. Finally, one child said that it was his and two other kids agreed with his statement, saying that they had witnessed him dropping it. I thanked all of them for their honesty and reminded them how important it was to be honest.\r\n\r\nRespect and responsibility are two values which are diffcult to implement. My children were part of the Break Aways program, sponsored by the Board of Education. One of the main goals of this program was to improve students’ literacy skills. I really enjoyed the experience of teaching the children in this program, and felt as though I gained something from it. The children in this group were a challenge to work with. They would be very hyper before beginning an activity. But, once I started reading them a story or got them started on an activity, I had their undivided attention. Many times the kids would be reluctant to be quiet when it was time. But, by teaching them the value of respect, they became silent for me and other children when it was needed. They also learned to respect their peers. Without the value of respect, children grow up lacking dignity. This can ultimately cause chaos within a society.\r\n\r\nI recall an incident in which I read the children a story and they loved it. In fact, I didn’t even have to ask them what the moral of the story was. The kids started telling me themselves. They told me, “The story is trying to say that it doesn’t matter how you look on the outside, but it’s your heart on the inside that counts.” They continued to tell me that if you have a dream you should never give up on that dream, no matter what obstacles lie in front of you. I was moved. I was in awe of how the kids learned all about caring and responsibility through a story I had read them. I congratulated them on their insights. I felt as though I was becoming a teacher.\r\n\r\nThe kids are not the only ones who learned from summer camp. I think we, as counselors, have learned a lot from children. I’ve noticed that children overcome tempers and conflicts quickly. They often realize that the solution is as simple as talking things through, or considering how the other person feels. It would be great if the world were like that. But, for a short summer, these children were exposed to four values that, if practiced, could help them for the rest of their lives. I certainly hope I will be part of the reason that they remember and apply these values. 1 2009-09-12T00:00:15-06:00