April 16, 2010 @ 6:07 pm
The Difference of Opinons
I recently underwent some slight criticism for my inability to give blood in Rhode Island. Let me begin by once again reiterating the point I made earlier. I wasn’t proud that I left unable to swallow my nerves, and confront the fears within me. I’ve never claimed that I was some amazing person, who would conquer all of her fears in order to accomplish these various missions. I chose this course during this time to hopefully determine of what ultimately my life would consist. Along the way, I was hoping to help others, the way they were helping me.
To those of you not completely fulfilled by my efforts, I truly do apologize. While hopeful to continuously please, I’m quite aware, it’s not always possible. To the person who courageously spoke up and expressed his or her disappointment with my decision, I thank you for your interest. I only have two small suggestions for your next comment…1) While I absolutely support our basic rights, in particular, the freedom of speech we enjoy thanks to our fine ancestors, and while I most certainly welcome all comments, positive or negative, in order for them to be posted, they must be free of profanity, for obvious reasons (please know that I’m honestly smiling while writing this but I am quite serious about the profanity 
), and 2) Though you may not have agreed with my decisions, I had the courage to acknowledge those choices. We don’t have to be perfect in our lives, or make the right decisions in every experience, but we should be able to stand behind the choices we make. Everything we do contributes to the life we would have lived at the end of our days. Our bad decisions, our good ones, the ones that embarrass us, and those that make us proud, should not be hidden. It is our responsibility to admit our beliefs, our choices, and to have the courage of our convictions.
Also, just to possibly put your mind at ease, would it help to know that I physically wasn’t able to give blood? I recently had a cold, and I’d been out of the country within the last year, consequently making donating impossible. I didn’t include this bit of information because I wasn’t sure I would have given even if I could. This entire concept is about being honest, open, and the willingness to accept what I can do, and what I can’t. Jean Vanier once explained that, “Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness.” I’m staring many of my fears straight in the face. Some of them will be defeated, and some of them will still overwhelm me. Regardless of the outcome, I’m not afraid of my weaknesses, nor do I find it necessary to apologize for them. I’m not afraid of the reality that is my life, and will never fantasize about who I’d like to be. This is me, take it or leave it, and I’m happy with who I am.
I went to Rhode Island to complete a task, to expose myself to something I wouldn’t have otherwise, to work with a group of people who were unselfishly sacrificing a part of who they were. While I would have loved to have traveled that extra mile, and donated blood, unfortunately, that day, I wasn’t able to. I did however, contribute my time, my self, and learn valuable lessons, lessons that I’m sure will give me the courage to overcome those fears in the future. In Rhode Island, while I may not have lived up to some expectations, I left feeling confident about what I had accomplished. I’m learning to focus on my successes rather than my shortcomings, and eventually, hopefully, there will be far more accomplishments than failures.
March 15, 2010 @ 8:30 am
Our Help for Haiti
Let’s go back to 1999. I was but a mere freshman at Transylvania University yearning for nothing more than a group of girls to call my “sisters” just as my mother had so many years ago. Cady Calvert, a Maysville gal, was someone looking for just the same thing. I kind of already knew Cady, you know in that Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon kind of way. She was a dear friend of my mom’s friend Ann, the person after whom I was named, and her brother was very close to Ann’s son Chris. I know, I know, way too much information.
Anyhow, we finally ran into one another in our Rho Chi groups and upon our first introduction I knew we were destined to become friends. She was lively and always smiling, and I, was well, something along those lines. Freshman year we started what I continue to refer to today as the “Birthday Bus Celebration.” This was a bus that I first sent to her to celebrate her birthday, obviously. It was a masterpiece I must say, created with a pack of Big Red chewing gum that had four peppermint candies as wheels. I believe it sat on top of a pop tart that symbolized the road, and some Jolly Ranchers worked wonderfully as the passengers. How much fun is your first year in college-third front representin’! I’ll always remember this, with great pleasure and tons of laughs.
Now, to much more serious conversation. I thought of this after I learned of the unimaginable crisis in Haiti. You see shortly after graduating from Transy, Cady moved to the northernmost city of Haiti, Port-de-Paix, and she has been teaching preschool at Sonlight Ministries for the past three years. As the painful images flashed across the television screen, the need to help in some way, even if it wasn’t much, overwhelmed me.
After determining Cady’s safety, I thought of the unbelievable pain the country of Haiti, the entire country of Haiti, must be feeling. Although I truly felt that the Red Cross, UNICEF and the various other places providing aid for the Haitian citizens were amazing organizations, I wanted to help someone more personally. For months, through Cady’s battle with sickness, and the lingering effects of the earthquakes, we’ve been working on getting this information to you. You see I had decided to sponsor a family directly; a family from Port-au-Prince who’d moved to Port-de-Paix to escape the torment of the city. Through much deliberation and careful consideration we chose the following families.
Six days after the earthquakes, the Pierres and the Fonsnars, all fourteen of them, moved into the home of three Port-de-Paix residents. Now, seventeen in all, seven under the age of 15, were living in a two-room home with walls and floors constructed of unfinished concrete. After visiting, Cady found one twin bed, one toddler bed, and a small table occupying the entire home. Prices are rising in the Haitian cities and these families need our help. Food is scarce and expensive, but rice and pasta can be purchased. They have no dishes however and are in desperate need of beds where the children can sleep. The family also needs new clothing.
With so many organizations focusing on the basic needs I’ve just described, what I find most disturbing is the children’s desire to attend school to no avail. You see in Haiti there’s no public education. Unfortunately the tuition for private school, approximately twelve dollars a month, is sometimes too extravagant for the families to bear. I’m in no way suggesting that the nourishment of these Haitian children shouldn’t be our first priority. It’s just that they want for very little and to not experience the opportunity to learn is beyond my imagination. You know, Victor Hugo once said, “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” As people, each time we’re exposed to different lifestyles, new places, different cultures, that which we learn from our schools, we acquire knowledge that teaches us right from wrong, good from evil. We learn to determine who we are, to make decisions about the lives we want to lead, and choices that make our ambitions our realities. These lessons remain forever, allowing us to move into the future with strength and confidence, and to one day teach those who’ll lead after us. This knowledge is absolutely invaluable to the development of a nation, and to the growth of our human race.
I’m asking you to read this story again. I’m asking you to try and understand the beginnings of what these people are experiencing. I’m asking you to think about what one dollar means to you, and what it could mean to these families. I know it’s not the most conventional way to honor a cause. We’ll be giving our money directly to the people, and therefore it isn’t tax deductible. This will be a contribution for the sake of providing love, support, providing hope. There are no mugs or hats to be given to those who pledge over five dollars. You won’t see your name in a program or on the side of a building. Your gift would simply be a contribution displaying the basic goodness one being provides another in a desperate time of need.
I wanted to in a very small way provide some bit of comfort to someone for whom the future is uncertain, difficult, sometimes bright, sometimes sad. With your help however we could do something so much more. I understand these times are difficult for all. We’re not asking for large donations, but rather that you give something. You know these families. You know what they need. You have the power and the means to give it. One dollar is all I ask, and the possibilities are endless. This is the time when we fight for what we know is right, not with equipment or guns but rather with food, fresh water, compassion and faith. Haiti is depending on the kindness of strangers, on the kindness and the goodness I know we all have. I’m depending on the kindness and goodness of friends.
Thank you for listening to me. You have to start somewhere, and I’m so happy you’ve helped. I look forward to hearing from you; your questions, your answers, your thoughts. Above all however, please forward this request to as many as possible. Remember, with even just one dollar from all who read this, tremendous good can be accomplished.
I will be sending the donations to this family three weeks from today. In advance, I thank you…so very much, I thank you.
Directions in giving to the Pierres and Fonsnars:
Via paypal
*Visit:
https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=marketing_us/send_money
*Insert my email: anne@48sop.com
*Insert your email address
*Complete the requested information that follows
Via check or money order
*Please make payable to Cady Calvert (no amount is too little-we can totally do this!)
*Please include your name and email address so that you can be notified when the check has been received by Anne as well as sent to our families
*Send the check to:
Cady Calvert
c/o Anne W. Arnold-Ratliff
312 Crosstown Road
Box 136
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Note: To Cady, for her generosity, her time and her efforts. Truly, an angel on earth.
To this family, for sharing their stories with us, and to all of you who have helped me spread the joy.
January 15, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
New Year, New Me
As I looked at the clock this morning and it read 3:24 a.m. I realized my insomnia stemmed from the fact that in less than 24 hours I would be turning yet another year older. So many thoughts were running through my head-would I be able to accomplish this tremendous feat, would 2010 be the year my life would truly be changed? I’m quite unusual about my turning different ages. It’s not so much about the growing older, but more about the actual number. 29 is just boring. Give me 28 or give me 30 but I was really feeling like 29 was for the duds.
It’s nice though I must admit. It seems like every time things are just about to boil over for me, some unbelievable person enters and makes things better, easier. I met a lady today. Well, I shouldn’t say met, but rather spoke with the lady via email. The kindness of strangers is something more powerful than almost any other type of generosity you know? It’s so important, so profound because someone you’ve never met is extending a hand to make things go more smoothly. I contacted this dear lady, Dee, regarding volunteering in Idaho. We immediately connected and by the end of our numerous conversations she had assured me that through some form of transportation I would get to her small town regardless of rain, shine or snow. Her kindness was an amazing surprise and something I will continue to remember when times seem overwhelming.
Just a short while ago I was hesitant for tomorrow to come. 28 would be a memory, 29 would be the new me. Now however, I am only hopeful with what will happen as my days complete themselves. Who will I meet? What faces will become familiar? What laughs will be heard and what tears will be shed? Tomorrow opens all new doors, no matter where I live, where I’m going or how old I am. I’ll continue to tell myself this today, and maybe tonight, I’ll sleep soundly with dreams of what’s in store for the future; the good, the happy, the new and the unknown.
January 7, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
Ode to Commenters!
Postees speak, Poster answers:
So many have asked me about this so I decided it would most likely be best to post rather than email individually. I have to approve all comments made and with my traveling schedule I sometimes don’t see the messages until late at night. I do receive and welcome all of them however!
Thanks to each of you for your time and support. I have had so much fun thus far and only, let’s see…46 states left to go! Keep those comments a’comin’!
January 1, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
Happy New Year!
So here we are, the first day of this insane journey I have decided to take. While I was so hoping to be helping my first charitable organization today, with the new year landing on a friday, most places, I have found aren’t in need of such help. So my first day of actual work will be on monday, in South Carolina. I’m excited, nervous (but really only about the driving-I’m a terrible driver, ask anybody), happy to be doing something different and incredibly anxious to begin. Just recently I almost contemplated not attempting this feat as I was stranded (due to the snow) in Pioneer, Tennessee with: my Mom praying that I would be okay, my husband calling with new directions in driving up Jellico Mountain, my brother explaining that he would be more than happy to drive to the Kentucky border and kayak to Pioneer in his new wet suit, Lauren listening to me question why yet again, something like this has happened to me, and Jon and Laura Henson assuring me that should I get stuck at the top of Jellico they would somehow find a way to get to me. I was seriously thinking that God was trying to send me a message; a message that screamed, “Do not attempt this journey.” As I thought about this situation I realized that he was doing just that, sending me a message that said, “Look at all of the people around you who care for your safety and your happiness.” So I decided to follow through with this crazy plan and I am hopeful I will be able to complete this task for all of those who continuously believe in me. Plus as I was riding in the car today I saw a bumper sticker that read, “A smile is charity everyday.” If that’s not a sign I don’t know what is (Plus, how crazy that I would see that today-I tell ya’!).
Before I begin however you should probably know my style of writing-just like me, it’s somewhat different. I write how I speak. My writing will have wording such as, “Consequently,” and, “To be quite honest.” I once had a boss tell me this was the very worst thing you could do. In addition I am somewhat scatterbrained, a.k.a, I have no train of thought. I will bounce from here to there and everywhere. I truly believe this is part of my charm . Therefore my writing may sometimes be quite wordy. Don’t worry though, if you get bored, you may stop reading and my feelings won’t be hurt. Maybe, just don’t tell me .
You should also know that before I began this project I promised myself that it may sometimes be necessary for me to place myself in uncomfortable situations in order to make the project honest and real. I will try very hard not to overreact. I will not be political, I will not be controversial. I will be honest.
Those are really the only two notes I can think of at the moment. Very soon, I know I’ll think of more.
Okay, so that’s it! I am so excited to drive on the open road with myself and all of those who have decided to travel with me. I keep seeing Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller ridin’ to “The Weight (you know the take a load off fanny song)” in Starsky and Hutch and I think, that could be me. I.Am.So.Excited.! Happy New Year and hopefully I’ll talk to all ten of you later!
P.S. For those of you who don’t know my brother, Sam-he totally would have kayaked to Pioneer. For sure!
December 31, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
Hello America!
So officially I begin this venture tomorrow, January 1st, 2010. However I wanted to test things out a bit and wish everyone a safe and fantastic new year’s eve. Please, please, please visit soon to check in on my numerous travels!