Tenacity and Self-Reliance

Growing up in a family of six, Jerry Lawrence remembers the tension in his home as a young elementary age boy.

Although his father tried to support his family, and he was an honest person, personal wounds of his father’s upbringing created a tapestry of emotional and dysfunctional behavior. Jerry’s morning preparations for school were so chaotic that his walk to school usually made him sick to his stomach.

Jerry’s response to dealing with this situation translated  into the development of a highly motivated youth who found employment that helped  him and his siblings afford the most basic needs of life; needs that would not have been available, otherwise.

Jerry was able to cultivate a high level of tenacity that developed a self-reliance in him that achieved a wonderful life of family, community and professional successes.

Meaningful Conversation

Anita Wald-Tuttle, her husband and four children diligently worked towards the family’s ambitions, the American dream that each of us most certainly relate.

 Exhausted from home duties and moving her home to an area that asthmatic patients place at the bottom of the list of desirable neighborhoods, Anita found her life in physical turmoil. Her childhood allergies had developed into serious episodes of asthmatic attacks. One evening her husband came home to a find Anita the color of blue. She was rushed to the emergency room.

 For a day and a half doctors and nurses tried to help Anita, but at one point her heart stopped and she died.

 The good side of this story is Anita came back to life and is with us to this day. The greatest part of this story is her realization that relationship; with each of her family members and society, at large, is  the most important part of life.

Money Isn't Everything

We have all heard that Money doesn’t buy happiness. Savitri knows. She experienced life in college with many who were in the super wealthy class but not happy.

 Savitri always offered a hand of genuine friendship. It was so sad to see such sadness.

 In her words, money is a lot like electricity. It can light up a room or cause a fire. It depends how it is used.

 She also feels that life is about balance. It’s most important to observe and think about what really brings happiness into our lives.