Let's make a difference today... be thankful!

Today is a special day: It is the launch of #Tweetsgiving. For the next 48 hours (well, minus a few at the time of this post), people all over the world are online sharing their stories of gratitude. This isn’t about throwing money at a problem – this is about affecting real change, for real people! The topic: how education can restore hope to achieve dreams. For anyone who’s read some posts from the Lemontree in the past, this is a refrain you’ve heard before... It is a deep rooted belief for me, and one I’m more than happy to support!

In light of the day, I thought it would be appropriate to reintroduce Nichole – my inspiration for this blog – and share her recent successes, hopes and dreams, all of which I have no doubt will become a reality.

Nichole’s past is one of those pasts you’ve seen in movies: small town USA, surrounded by issues of alcohol and drugs, a broken family, and a vicious circle. There were days when there was more beer in the fridge than there was food; days where mustard sandwiches were lunch... and dinner; and days where going to school would have been too embarrassing because of dirty clothes half washed in dish detergent. Not to mention – empty gas tanks which genuinely don’t get you very far if you even wanted to get to work!

Nichole dropped out of high school in grade 10. Now, in light of the particular subject of #
tweetsgiving, you might think – well, why didn’t you just seize the opportunity? Here’s the thing – and I think it’s hard for many of us to deny: those influential teenage years are the worse. Peer pressure, teasing, bullying – if you’re not “in”, you’re “out”. So, I ask you, is a teenager in the following situation “in” or “out”? Imagine living in a home where you might be too embarrassed to bring your friends home because you’re not sure if your mom will be sober or drunk. Imagine needing to wash your clothes in dish detergent. Imagine – no toilet paper. Like I said, if you’re not “in”, you’re “out”... and this kid was “out”.

Wait, what was that? You wonder why this family didn’t have government support? Well, they did! But, there’s a little problem with that. Food stamps – now it’s a “food card” – are what this family got. Great, right? No, not exactly; thing is, food stamps only pay for food! No shampoo, no soap, no socks – you get the picture. There was also some support from the county, but this is usually minimal. And, what always strikes me as bizarre is that so many “programs” are aimed at throwing money without coaching, without support. How can people who have never had support understand how to make their lives better without help?

So, here’s a teenage girl in the US mid-west who is surrounded by grown-ups who have lost hope, and who wonders if hope is even worth it. I recall Nichole telling me that, at some point in her life – and she couldn’t quite recall when – she had decided not to “want” anything because she never got it anyways. Can you imagine!? Think of yourself right now, how close we are to the Holidays... You must want something for Christmas or Hannukah or Kwanzaa (or whatever you are celebrating). Half the fun is the wanting, and wondering. Could you imagine if year after year, it was always capped off with: nothing! And, no – I am not suggesting the meaning of the Holidays is to receive gifts, but I recognize the reality that children live in. And, if as soon as their wishes are made, they’re just as soon destroyed... maybe they wonder if wishing, hoping, dreaming is even worth it.

Hope... lost. Education... lost. Dreams... unlikely.

It’s now been 7 years (give or take) since I’ve met Nichole... I have no hesitation saying that my life changed when I did.

I never understood how blessed I was to have a life where I had everything I ever needed – and more! When I talk with Nichole, I think of how lucky I am. I grew up in a place where hopes & dreams were encouraged, supported. I finished high school, and went on to University because I loved school... because I was taught that if you go to school and always learn and always grow, you will be able to be the master of your destiny and good things will happen... and they have, including meeting Nichole.

Today, Nichole is living in Canada. She went back to school, at the age of 27, to finish her high school diploma, and did so with honours! With support and encouragement, Nichole embraced her passion for photography. She created her own, very small, online portfolio of fantastic imagery that she likes to share with friends and family, and their networks. She is also planning to return to college for a paralegal education, knowing deep within herself now, that she has the ability to transform lives because she transformed her own. Nichole is driven by her past to change herself, affect her family and change the world "one ripple at a time"... She believes that if she changes what she can, immediately around her, the ripples will go out, in perpetuity, like they do on water.

To this day, Nichole accepts that her story needs to be heard, but she is still not ready to “be the face”. Not to worry, Nichole is 100% participating and committed to supporting the
Tweetsgiving event. In fact, many of you have been chatting with her already. When she is ready, I will make “live” introductions.

In the meantime... Nichole and I are both grateful for the opportunity to share her story, and show how support can translate to hope which can translate to education and create a circle of positivity. That’s what #Tweetsgiving is all about.

Thanks to Danny Brown for introducing me to Tweetsgiving... Let’s make a difference, today!

Would love to hear your comments. Wherever you post them: here or on twitter – include the #tweetsgiving tag.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...

Lest we forget

I am one of THOSE people. One of the cheesy people who, on a day like Remembrance Day, tries to learn one more piece of history (usually Canadian, because I am) about what war time(s) was (were) like – and, in particular WWI and WWII.

Personally, my family tree was touched by the war – as, essentially, everyone’s was. My grandparents were Eastern European Jews who left before it got crazy, but none-the-less, who I’m sure saw more and heard more than they wanted to hear and see. My grandfather, while in Canada, even enlisted to go to the front in WWII, but was refused due to the results of his physical. He was quite saddened by this – noting that some of his friends would go, many would never come back, and he would not have the chance to be by their side. (Though, selfishly, I must admit, I’m glad he didn’t...)

In the spring of 2000, I met Grant McCrae – son of John (

In Flander’s Field), and one of the pioneers of the Memory Project. It was a real honour to meet Grant and hear some of his stories. I recall Grant telling me about leading his team on a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines, over Germany. They were shot down and taken prisoner. Yes – Grant was a POW; and a lucky one – he’s alive today to tell his story. When we met, Canada’s “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” was announced, and would soon be placed alongside the Cenotaph in Ottawa, ON (at Elgin and Wellington). Grant was going to be present at the arrival of the soldier. He said: “When we were shot down, it was the last time I saw my best friend; this soldier will represent him for me.” (Yes, there were tears.)

Today, though we still fight wars to protect freedoms, we always remember on the 11th day of the 11th month, at the 11th hour. We remember brave men and women who died to protect our freedoms, and the freedoms taken away from others. Lest we forget.

We were given a gift – at a time when most of us were not even born yet... I know it’s corny to quote a movie, but those of you who may remember part of the closing scene in

Saving Private Ryan; let’s earn it.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.