Personal Childhood Web-Loving and Caring to Make a Difference

 

  In the words of Mother Teresa,"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples". My parents, James and Irene Means, always let me know that I may not be able to reach the world, but doing what I can to make an indent in the surroundings that I encounter will make a difference in someone else’s life by showing love and concern that creates a bond and friendships for life. I remember how my mother and father would always support the older kids in the neighborhood. I asked her why, and she told me a story about how she and my father wanted children and it took years after they were married to have their first child. So, they would spend time with the neighborhood kids by sharing the goodness of God, playing games, and celebrating their successes. When I was born, they had build such a strong relationship with the neighborhood kids and I became everyone’s little sister with lots of love and attention. And even though we are not in the same location now, we keep in contact with one another and support each other as needed.  This truly helped me to be connected with the military community, because I was able to meet new people and when we had to move, I knew that the farewell would not hinder us from staying in contact with one another.

 

Living in a small town in the hills of West Virginia gave me the opportunity to be around people who showed genuine tough love. I remember running down the tracks and being reminded by Mr. George our neighborhood mechanic, told me that I had a better chance of sliding into home plate if I ran on the flat surface, because if I fell, I could seriously hurt myself on the railroad tracks. Mr. George always kept it real and let you know what was right and wrong. As I grew older, I realized that he was looking out for my safety and if he did not care for me, he would not have said anything to me. 

 
Ms Bert would take care of me while my parents were at work. She was my godmother and I enjoyed her vegetable and nature garden in her backyard and as I got older, she would talk to me had about taking on challenges and learning how to build upon them.  Just like the vegetables and flowers needed nurturing, she nurtured me to become curious about life and not to give up.

 

I looked forward to entering Man High School as a freshman.  I knew the principal Mr. Williams.  He followed me all the way from Elementary to High School as the principal for each location.  When I first met him, he let me know that he would be my shadow.  At the time, I did not understand what he meant by those words, but it became clear that he knew my every move, especially when I left school grounds during my 6^th grade year to go to the local grocery store to get snacks for everyone.  He met me at the gate near the playground.  He called my parents and let them know that he would be administering my punishment as I had broken the rules.  He taught me on that day that rules are not to be broken no matter who tries to tell me otherwise. And as I moved on to Junior High and High School, he came right along with me.  I asked way was he following me? His response was, “because I care about my students and I want them to succeed, besides, there are too many open areas for you to leave school grounds, so I will be onsite to watch, your every move”. I appreciated the fact that he cared so much for me and it did help me to not be distracted, because I did not want to disappoint him.  It really touched my heart, when I became a teacher and he walked into my classroom and said, “now it is your turn to be the follower, I know you will do it well.”

 

          I have been supported in numerous ways by numerous people and I continue to have family and friends who keep me on track, let me know that they are in my corner, and that they will be there no matter what.  This is why, I continue to give back to the community through advocating for military families and children and I also take my experience and work with my church families and children.  I want to utilize my strengths to help those who want to advance and I want to encourage those who may have stumbling blocks. As I help somebody as I pass along this way, my life is worth the living.