I have said many times, “I come from a family of storytellers.” Several weeks ago, the Best Family, my mother’s side of the family, gathered for our reunion of storytellers. The rich legacy of how people survived & thrived through difficult times. These are phenomenal stories of love wrapped in laughter. Through it all they …
Friend…
It is incredible how an old song rushes memories into your heart. Yesterday as we sang, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” memories of singing in the youth choir…memories of my childhood buddies…sweet memories. Many of my old buddies have faded away but the few…oh how they linger in that special place. These were …
“Run…Keeping Running!”
When I volunteered to help at the State Special Olympics it was an unknown world to me. I had no idea what to do or what to expect. My friend recommended I be a “greeter” at the 30-yard dash. I asked, “What does this mean…what do I do?” The volunteers told me, “Oh, it’s easy. …
It’s About Being Available? Not Able!
Sometimes you go through life fat, dumb and happy, until... the “until” came on a Monday morning in 1994 when my doctor told me I was diabetic and that afternoon a dear friend & radiologist showed me the CT scan, said, “Robert, that’s your right kidney…and that’s cancer.” During this time countless people told me …
You Control It…Or It Controls You
To be a rice farmer you understand the Principle of Being Proactive. Years ago, Stephen Covey used this phrase to describe getting in front of a situation rather than reacting to the situation. Such it is with controlling the water in a rice field. A farmer controls the water in the rice field so the …
Never Forget…
Last weekend we celebrated the Best Family Reunion. Our family tree has been traced back to 1244 but our memories and stories go back to the siblings of Willie & Mary Best who had 5 children (my mom, 3 aunts & 1 uncle) who then had 9 children. It’s just cousins now with stories. I …
Love Changes Everything
I remember when “BA” first came to our Center from a large high school. The adjustment was not easy. He had developed his survival skills around loud & tough talking. Over time BA recognized that loud and tough was not part of our culture. Inside, BA had a sweet heart that wanted to be loved. …
“What’s Your Problem?” Freedom From Fear
It was the end of a long day. J went back to the new home he shared with 3 other guys. He thought, “What a great afternoon to sit out on the deck & enjoy my pipe.” The problem was he was out of pipe tobacco. Then he remembered the Safeway store a couple of …
“What’s Your Problem?” – Eyes of The Heart
It was early in my career of working with people, “who just happened to have a disability,’ that I learned this fundamental principle, “the heart has eyes.” What we think we see will shape what we think & usually do. Set the stage. Over my 30 years of being in and around people with developmental …
“What’s Your Problem?” – It’s Just Not Complicated
Friday night dances at the Center were always great but this one night would be special, a live band. The band was a Country-Gospel group that had performed several times at the senior apartments & the Center. The group loved our people, and our people loved them. On this night they allowed our clients to …
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