One day a young girl came into see me at work. She needed help as she was new to the area. She had no job and no child care and I could tell she was stressed out about it all. She explained she had no family at all just her fiancé here. He was attending college in the area. I went on like I usually do with the spill of out there is preschool and other child care places and also directed her to the local job agency to help her find employment. I also handed her an application and said We are hiring also so you might apply here if you want. She said but I have no qualifications or specialties. I explained that everyone has specialties and qualities. Just apply and see what happens.
I have her many resources, just like I do with anyone who would walk in, but this was different. She broke down and thanked me for all the help and showed so much appreciation. We talked for quite a while and I gave her my card in case she needed anything else.
Later that week she called to say she had an interview set up already. She was so excited.
She ended up working with us and her child got into a preschool. Everyday I watched her grow into this amazing woman. Changing and maturing in ways I never really had personally watched. She needed up becoming a lead teacher, attending college and having another child. She blossomed into this independent, confident leader and it was inspiring to watch. Eventually she and her fiancé moved after he graduated and she went on to become a nurse. When I talked to her one day I explained my pride in her and how amazing it was to watch her grow. She replied with it was because you believed in the work you were doing and therefore believed in me like no one has ever done before. It inspired me to become someone. I thought I was simply just doing my job and didn’t realize the impact it had. She explained there she will never forget our chance encounter and will always remember me for believing in her when I didn’t even know her.

I grew up in the Missouri Foster Care System and was adopted at the age of 16. I always new if it wasn’t for the support system I had through my advocates team I wouldn’t be where I am today. I new that I wanted to be an advocate for some one when I grew up and that is why I work for community action.

It was really hot outside today and there was a man riding his bike and had a sign that said he was hungry and broke. So we gave him some money and a cold bottle of water.

I am 58 years old. I have been couped up in my apartment pretty much since the schools went on spring break, March 13, 2020. I have two grown children, and a grandchild that have my heart, we just recently started being together again for our weeking family night, because of Covid 19 we have communicated but not been together. I am going to a late lunch today with my daughter and grandbaby, it will be my first time at a restaurant since all of this began. I am so happy to hopefully see the end of this. It was very lonely.

Jon spoke at our NSA group during our December holiday party. He did a great job presenting on speaking skills. Jon gave away two books, and I was fortunate enough to receive one. I told him how my 19 year old son had died by suicide just 11 months earlier and how I was writing a book about my journey through all the loss and grief. Jon’s inspiring story about Nathan created a strong desire in me to speak to larger groups about the importance of suicide prevention. I realized my willingness to share my story could change the lives of many people.

I have worked as a DSP in an adult family home for almost 6 years now. During my first year, a woman started as the program supervisor and has been the best boss I’ve ever had, not to mention confidant and friend. Fast forward to today — I am now program supervisor and she is the area director for our company. Today, I received a card in the mail from her, handwritten, with this 7 of Hearts card in it.

The card was in the back of the book “Significance in Simple Moments.” After reading the book, I felt the need to pass on the 7of hearts to my friend since she was dealing with a difficult situation.