Washington!

I have written this blog several times, Losing it to error and erasing it cuz it just didn't flow.

Wishing myself luck today as I sit here jabbing at the keys while the jabbing sensation from my ridiculous oral surgery is pounding right out of my cranium...

But this writing will be a good one. It has to be, full of greatness.

People that walked into my life in the past few weeks.
Leaving gigantic footprints on my soul.

Helping to shape my very being.
 Just when you think you have learned it all.
Take another deep breath and take it all in,
Every last ounce.


Open up to the possibilities.

Because around every door, is a story.

A compelling, beautifully scripted story of someone's life.

No 2 alike.

Just honest lives shared with others.

Damn I am one proud lady.
If I had only known then.....

So here ya' go, especially to my tween fan club.
 You have some learning to do.
I hope my preach is an easy one to understand. After all, we are our best actors in our own one man play.
Play it well, loud and honest.
Just accept those who are different.
We are all unique in our own way.

Leave judgment at the door.

Allow their stories to guide you.

Judge the written script if you must.

But listen to the story, beginning to end.


Williamsburg Va. and Washington D.C.

I was gifted this trip.
An honor from the get go.
Here is how Holly's world works...

I met a woman named Mary Joe, she is the founder of a foundation called 'Circle of Friends'.
This remarkable woman who immediately became my friend and mentor takes kids from the St. Ignatius prep high school and pairs them up with students from the Ray Graham school for disabled teens.
 This is a win, win.
A week of touring,
 And hopefully lessons learned.

Immediate pals.
Different worlds,
Different colors.
Different worlds, shapes and sizes.

Within days, their stories blossomed.
Bloomed right in front of my eyes.


I am a lucky one,
I choose to not see  color or shapes or sizes.  I am who I am, proud, bold, technicolored and choose NOT to see societies stereotypes.

But others are not blind.

Others see, and judge.

I can hardly capture with words the gifts I received during that week.

The gifts did not encompass the White House or the Changing of the guards,
 although breath taking.

My gifts were opened during breakfast when I spoke with a mom of a special teen.

Not just a mom you see but a true warrior.
 Picking up her 120 lb. son from a dead weight, from wheel chair to bus, from bus to wheel chair.




Never complaining.

I know her back was screaming but she wore a smile.
 A smile of pride when her son spoke, he spoke with difficulty eager to have us listen.
Telling us his story, his life, his moments and we were fixated on his resilience.
 But his mother...that's who captured me.
 You want to see a lamb turn into a lion?  Watch this mom if someone over looks her pride. It just won't happen.

The Grandma that took in her grandchildren. Two of which are special. Her daughter died, a pain that is unimaginable. She spoke of power, and courage and the daily walk. One that she did not choose, but she bought without a hesitation.

I was gifted to meet some brothers.

Handsome as the devil boys, with their futures as bright as a brilliant diamond.
Taking gentle care of their broken brothers.

Holding doors.

Grabbing plates.
Smiling hello.
Helping.
Holding.
Taking care.

Some kids might be the type of kids that if you saw on the street you may walk away from.

Those boys and girls made my heart sing.

Daily.


A young man that I never heard speak.

Rose above the fear and belted out  "Happy Birthday' with as much pride as the Cheshire cat with the mouse hanging from his jowls.

The young man that sang Luther Vandross and had us all with joyous tears run down our face.
The young girl that danced with Joffrey Ballet technique- yet I assure you she never saw a ballet in her life.

Yes, these are my hero's.

I probably will forget the name of the first settlers in Virginia.

But I will never forget the pride that glowed out of me when I was invited on this trip.

I didn't see the Mona Lisa or the Louvre.

I was somewhere so much better.

 

I was at the breakfast buffet with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.

Thank you Mary Joe for including Nate and I.

I am forever changed.

 

When you see me speak with confidence and wear my very own smile that radiates across my face.

Now you see where it comes from. It doesn't come from the winning lottery ticket or back stage passes to meet Pink. (ok, that would be cool).
It comes from pure, raw, honest grateful pride and joy.



Thank you to the Ray Graham high school for allowing me into your students lives.
I will probably never be rich or famous.
But the richness that I have been given will rock the heck outa anything that the lottery may provide.

I am my own Rock Star.
A proud, over the top, living life large kinda gal.

Where do I get the energy from??

YOU......

Every last one of you.
I gotta keep on climbing.

I am who I am.

PROUD and FEARLESS.

Heck look at who is walking along side of me now....
I gotta keep up with all you fierce mommas...

Together we really can change the world.
Making this a better place,

Accept me for who I am.
I promise to do the same.

www.iam-whoiam.com

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