Making a Difference One Child at a Time

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“Making a Difference, One Child at a Time”

Two youth grow up in the same neighborhood. One becomes successful and the other gets trapped in the temptations that exist.  What was the one difference that separated the two: A STRONG MENTOR!

I recently signed up again to be a ‘Big’ in the Big Brother/Big Sister program.  My ‘Little’ is a beautiful seven-year-old girl and her mother wants her to be around positive influences.  We’ve done a lot of fun things together, including going to the zoo for the World’s Largest Halloween Party (the above pic comes from there with my buddy Willy Wonka – hey, why am I the same height as the oompa loopma?). While we are just starting to get to the point where she will open up and talk to me about things going on in her life, I see the excitement each time I pull up to her door and see her looking out the window anxiously waiting for me to arrive.

I know I am one person that will make a difference to this child.  However, there are other youth in need.  The Big Brother/Big Sister program is in great need for more adult mentors, especially males.  Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is very fun and very easy!

There are several programs that you can pick from. Depending on the Big Brothers Big Sisters program you’re in, you will either meet your Little at his or her school or in the community. See program descriptions below:  Community Program:· Focus on friendship · Visit with your Little 2-3 times per month  · Six month minimum time commitment  · Participate in fun, inexpensive activities OR simply spend time talking and listening to each other  · You can be flexible with the times you set to see your Little  · Be at least 18 years old  · Must have access to transportation or Have own transportation and valid car insurance   School / Site Program: · Work on homework, play games or just talk · Visit with your Little one hour per week · Six months minimum time commitment  · Visit the child on school grounds only  · High school students and adults accepted as volunteers   Sports Buddies Program · Focus on healthy lifestyle activities and FUN  · Visit with your Little two times per month · Six months minimum time commitment  · You can be flexible with the times you set to see your Little  · Must be at least 18 years old  · Must have access to transportation or have own transportation and valid car insurance Couples and families are welcome to volunteer together.  Click here to volunteer or call 502-587-0497. (tell them Michelle Yeager referred you!)

M.Y.  November 2007

You Are My Rainbow

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“You Are My Rainbow”

I took this picture from my office window a couple of weeks ago.  My co-workers had been in a funky mood that Friday morning until we came across the beautiful rainbow.  So today, I wish to thank each of you for being my rainbow.  Rainbows are full of beauty and mystery.  You never know when you’ll see one, but whenever you do it makes you stop whatever you’re doing and appreciate life a little more.  It’s a rainbow moment each time I go out and meet someone new that compliments me on the OnyxLouisville newsletter.  It’s a joy to meet the diverse group of readers.

We are each rainbows in our own rite.  Rainbows are colorful from a distance and often seem perfect.  However, we all know that rainbows are a combination of different factors.  It must rain in order for there to be a rainbow.  Similar to our lives, there will be our fair share of stresses and trials we will cross.  Sometimes it may even seem like a never ending storm.  We need that rain in our lives, though, in order to grow.  But have you ever noticed that at some point the storm has to end?  We also have our times to shine like the sun on a hot summer day. The birth of a child, a promotion on the job, losing five pounds or even a nice afternoon to just do nothing let us know that life isn’t as bad as expected.

I know little about your background, but I know you’ve experienced both sun and rain.  We’ve each had a different combination of the two.  However, if we didn’t combine both the sun and rain, then you couldn’t be my rainbow.  Your beauty wouldn’t shine high among the clouds for all to see.  Sometimes it’s an outer beauty and other times  it glows from inside.  We know nobody is perfect, but for those few precious moments (like a rainbow in the sky) that our paths cross, you are my rainbow!

M.Y.  October 2007

I Got Tore Up and the Police Came

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“I Got Tore Up and the Police Came”

I hate to admit it, but for the first time in my life I got tore up. As they say, “When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do!”  It happened the day before I left, which didn’t make for a comfortable airplane ride home.  After a couple of days back here, I still felt bad so I decided to go to the doctor.  He looked at me and said, “Would you do it again?” I told him I’d do it in a heartbeat.  I then told him about being in the jungle and gliding down the chords hundreds of feet in the air on the canopy tour.  He looked closer at the bites that tore up my legs, arms and back. They itched profusely! He said, “I don’t know what exactly bit you, but it tore you up pretty good!”  He gave me some steroids and antibiotics and I was on my way.  (-;

I was thinking happy thoughts in the taxi ride on the way to the airport to come home.  Suddenly there are flashing lights and the driver pulls over. “La policia?” I ask.  “Si” says Mr. Taxi Driver.  Supposedly my guy had been trying to get rid of me a little bit too fast and was pulled over for speeding.  He pulls out his driver’s license for the cops.  Wow, his license was so faded.  You know when your child brings home a picture colored with markers that was wet in the rain?  It’s smeared beyond belief and all you see are blended colors?  Well, this was my guy’s license.  The cop looked at the license in disbelief and then went to his car to run a check.  When he returns he tells my driver that his license expired last year and he needs to step out of the car.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?  I just had a wonderful vacation and now I’m five minutes away from being featured on Spanish Cops. “Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do?” Where are Will Smith and Martin Lawrence when you need them? I started to get anxious. What would happen if he was arrested?  I didn’t want to miss my flight.  Should I hop out and try to get another taxi?  I thought about taking a picture of the situation.  Yeah, never mind, that’s not a good idea.  My driver left the car running with the keys in the ignition.  For a brief second I thought about driving myself to the airport. Luckily Yeager Ranger had a reality check: 1. I don’t know where I’m going.  2. Duh, the police are right behind me.

Mr. Taxi Driver returned about 10 minutes later with a rather lengthy speeding ticket.  He seemed embarrassed so I didn’t say much about it.  We arrived at the airport in plenty of time and the rest is history!!!

M.Y. October 2007

It’s a Small World

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“My Vacation – It’s A Small World After All”

I just returned from a short vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  I had a timeshare that I either had to use or lose, so for the first time in my life I went solo on a trip.  I HAD A BLAST!  I learned so many things about myself and others.  People at first were surprised that I was there alone, but after a short time they realized some of the benefits and were quick to ask me to join their group.  I can’t write everything this week, so it will be spread out.

The first thing I learned is that it’s a small world.  I was walking on the beach and came across a baby sea turtle.  He was crawling at fast as he could to make it back to the ocean.  I took a picture and then tried to hold him in my hand to assist his journey.  He, however, felt threatened and each time he was in my hand, he would quickly jump out.  A couple approached me and was curious as to what I’d found.  They asked where I was from and I proudly said, “Louisville, KY!”  Their face lit up as they said, “No way, we’re from Louisville also!”  They talked about their daughter that attended Manual and how they had just moved to another part of Mexico for a job transfer.  We laughed about the UL/UConn football game that had been on tv the night before (in Spanish, of course!)

We continued to run each other throughout my stay.  They arrived at the airport right before I left to go home.  The wife and I talked in depth and we gave each other a strong hug before I boarded my plane.  We probably never would have crossed paths here in Louisville, but started the beginning of a wonderful friendship miles away!

M.Y.  October 2007

Balloons

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“Balloons”

While driving to work last week I was mesmerized by the balloons in the sky.  There were a plethora of them and I admired the uniqueness.  Although they were very diverse, they were also very similar. I began to look more closely at their detail.

I started thinking about my life and the lives of other people in general.  We all have different experiences and I truly believe that we were each given our individual experiences for a reason.  In my mid to late 20s I saw several folks getting engaged, married or having kids.  I would wonder “why not me?”  As time went by, though, I realized why it wasn’t my time then.  My mother became sick, and, as her only child, I was able to fully commit to caring and being there for her in any way possible.  I feel my purpose during that time was to be focused on her and she and I developed a much stronger relationship during that time.  I’ve also had some great opportunities that I have been able to fulfill because of my current situation.

I also realize that nobody has a perfect life.  We often envy those that have things we don’t have, yet we rarely stop to think about some of the difficulties and pains that come with that life.  Whether it’s finances, physical attributes, marital status, kids, educational attainment or careers, we need to praise each other for the things we each have accomplished.  My friends (who really won’t be old and wrinkled at the age of 80) and I talk all the times about our lives.  Although similar in age, our paths have been completely different.  When I go to sleep each night I pray for both my successes and limitations.  I also do the same for my family, friends and even those I don’t know.  I end with an inspirational piece entitled “The Cross Room”.

The Cross Room

The young man was at the end of his rope.  Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.  “Lord, I can’t go on, he said.  “I have too heavy a cross to bear.”  The Lord replied, “My son, if you can’t bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room.  Then open the other door, and pick out any cross you wish.”

The man was filled with relief.  “Thank you, Lord,” he sighed, and he did as he was told.  Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible.  Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning again a far wall.  “I’d like that one, Lord,” he whispered.  And the Lord replied, “My son, that is the cross you just brought in.”

M.Y. October 2007

Naked on I-64

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“Naked on I-64″

My job requires me to go the Frankfort once a month.  When almost halfway there I felt in my purse and realized my phone wasn’t there.  I felt again. I touched my wallet, my Ipod, my business card holder, my digital camera – but no phone.  OH NO! I immediately felt naked! It was as if all the clothes on my body had been removed at once and the world was looking at my vulnerable body.  What was I going to do? I had traveled too far to turn around.

I was blessed (?) to have a cell phone provided by my work that does it all.  My Motorola Q has a phone, text messaging, internet and email all in one.  With just the punch of a button, the world is at my fingertips – except for today.  I felt as if I were removed from society.  What if missed that one important phone call?  What if I got stranded on the expressway?  Just what if?  I continued driving and finally accepted the fact that there was nothing I could do.  I realized how connected (literally) I had become to the phone and understood all of communications could be put on hold for several hours.  I thought this was a good experience for me after all.

I turned on to my exit about 20 minutes later and in the distance heard a faint noise.  I started to think I was temporarily going insane.  I heard it again.  It was the ringer on my phone.  Am I hallucinating?  There in the crease of the passenger seat sat my phone.  My life’s problems had been solved.  Although only inconvenienced for 20 short minutes, I realized how dependent I had come with my phone, which was pretty scary.

My phone and I have come to the decision that we will take some space from each other.  Nothing permanent, just enough time to create our own identities and find a way to co-exist in a healthy relationship!

M.Y. October 2007