A Giant Prepares to Depart...

                Matt      Photo by M Barrett Miller

Rather than having a memorial, after the inevitable, Matt Barrett agreed to have a celebration instead.
It was held last night in the parish hall at St Joseph's, in Seattle.
The end is near for Matt.

Watch his long time friend Brooke (video) telling one tale, of many, about how Matt has made the very best of a lousy hand.

See the following article sharing some background information on Matt.

I've Had a Great Run.

 Matt has been a courageous role model for so many over the years. He was recently recognized by Invisible Disabilities.org for his generosity of spirit, and his dedication, to reaching out to the sick, lonely,  homeless and others in need of a kind word.

Here's a little story.

Back when Matt was hired by the circus one of his jobs required he lead a grizzly out of the arena when the trainer gave him the high sign. This all went very smoothly until one day when the trainer got ill towards the end of the performance. What Matt didn't know was the trainer always gave "Bruno" a couple of peanuts before turning and handing the lead to Matt. Well, the assistant trainer, worried about the other two bears gave Matt the lead line to take Bruno out. He either didn't know about the peanuts, or forgot due to the anxiety of the moment.

Bruno didn't want to move.
Matt gently pulled on him.
Bruno struck out leaving Matt's left ear dangling by a thread of flesh.
When the dust settled, and the bears and Matt were attended to, he was told that policy was that any animal that "attacked" an employee would have to be put down.
Matt sat there for a moment before replying, "Then I quit. If I don't work here there is no reason to punish Bruno for dong what comes naturally to a bear."
Bruno lived.
Matt went on to new adventures.

We'll all miss you Matt.

Safe journey.

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. 

A Good Neighbor

Photo by M Barrett Miller

A good neighbor.

The other morning I couldn’t help but hear an elderly man, who was sitting next to me at Starbucks, lament that courtesy, respect and service were gone in this country.
He was speaking loudly enough to draw in patrons from half way across the room who were more than happy to shake their collective heads in wonder to what he was carrying on about.
Since I was unintentionally roped into the conversation I countered his whinging by sharing the following with him, after determining that he was a neighborhood resident and knew the service station I was going to tell him about-

I began my tale with…
A few weeks ago I was driving north on 35^th Avenue NE (Seattle). When I crossed 125^th the pickup truck that had turned on to 125^th in front of me dropped most of his higgledy piggledy load on to the street right in front of me. The nearness of his trespass, and oncoming traffic, forced me to drive right through the mess.
At first it seemed I was delivered unscathed.
A block or so later the thump under my front left told me life was not going to remain so simple.
I turned around and went back to where the fella was loading his treasures back into his truck. I walked across the street and told him I had found a four-inch rod sticking out of my tire. My thought at that moment was to enlist his help and hit him up for the price of a new Michelin.
Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to understand and kept shaking his head in a “who me” kind of way.
I knew this was going nowhere so I crossed back to my car to begin the jacking up and changing the tire nightmare.

I’ve had minor servicing and assistance from Bill Waters, the owner of the Spirit Service station on 35^th Ave NE & NE 95^th in the past, so I called him to see if he would have a tire I could buy when I finished changing my tire.
I was amazed by his response. “I’ll close the station and come down there and help you with the tire. You can then drive up here in an hour or so and we’ll put on the new one.”
Wow!
He was there in a heartbeat.
As only a professional can manage, he had my car ready to roll on the mini tire within minutes.
As promised, I rolled out of his station two hours later on a brand new tire.

The old digger was about to reply to my little story when I went in for the kill.
I told him I was at the Spirit station one Sunday evening. When I rolled into my aisle I saw a little old lady standing staring at her designated pump in the most lost of ways. I could tell she was way out of her comfort zone and asked her if I could help. She told me she always came into Bill’s station, as he always had someone there to help her buy gas. She was a bit embarrassed that she hadn’t bought her gas when the station was open or ever learned how to pump her own gas.
I thought of my mother and how she would have been totally lost when most stations went to self-serve.
After a few laughs she was on her way with a full tank.
I recall thinking at the time that it was a real shame that the kind of service some of us had experienced as we grew up was disappearing.

When Bill came to my rescue he renewed my faith.

Bill’s station may be pennies more expensive but you’re getting way more for your dollars than you’ll ever get at the kiosk only joints.

Oh, the old boy at Starbucks said he’d buy a tank at the Spirit gas station.
Hope he does-

Thanks Bill.

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.
http://www.letkidsbekids.org

Looks Like Love to Me!

              True Love  Photo by M Barrett Miller

Looks like love to me!

For years we went from home to the barn and from the barn to home.
Everyday.
I could always feel Danielle’s anticipation growing as she headed to her riding lessons.
I well remember that very first lesson she ever had.
I recall giving her lessons as a Christmas gift way long ago.
She did great up on the big old horse that was gently introducing her to what would become a vocation she chased for years.

There was the first time without a lead, the first time trotting, cantering, galloping and god forbid, the first time over a rail.
The first time she was thrown is etched in my memory.
The first broken bones, painful sprains, wins and losses!

Barn horses came and went as she grew and became more skilled.
Most of the kids were hoping to have their own horse so they could show and compete with whom they loved above all else.
Enter a frisky Morgan willing to give his all for her in the park and “A” rated shows.
Later on she outgrew him and his abilities to challenge the hot bloods in the more competitive categories.
He moved on though she never stopped loving his nosy kisses.
A courageous Appaloosa, carried her to many wins and to more than a few championships.
Just before we kicked off for Ireland she rode him in a jump-off against one of her coaches.
It was one of the scariest, and most exhilarating rides, I have ever watched. She gave him his head and he took the course like the champion he truly was.
She and “Little” took the N Y Seltzer championship! 

Later, in the college years, she was unable to compete though she held the dream alive.
After graduation she bought a green horse that had never trotted into a competitive ring.
Within a year he was ready.
In his very first show he placed.
He continued to place until she sold him.

Looking back it seemed like we lived at the barn and that we would always be at some show or another.
I would always be holding some horse while it was groomed, tacked, braided, inspected.
Now, it all seems like a dream.
Time has fogged the particulars leaving a wonderful memory of time spent with Danielle, some great kids, and some mighty fine horses.
All in all not a bad view in the rear view mirror.
Thank you all.
Particular thanks to Phyllis, Bunny, Mike, Cathy, multiple horses, zany Jack Russells, all the supportive parents, for some of the very best years-

Did He Deserve Better?

Photo by M Barrett Miller

Did He Deserve Better?

Last Monday, a man, driving while intoxicated, ran down four people crossing the street a half block east of a Seattle Middle School.
A couple died on the spot leaving behind, on the street, a daughter in law and grandchild who are presently fighting for their lives in the critical care unit of a local hospital.
He was arrested.

The week’s news has been all about his previous DUI’s and how he was driving drunk, without a license or ignition lock on his truck.

Everyday the Seattle papers have investigated the mans record, present state law on DUI, other state laws, penalties, technological remedies, and the open question on what can be done to curb driving while intoxicated.

I haven’t seen any articles about the man.
The man who was driving, that is.
There have been a few anecdotal comments about his coaching, his battles with booze, his divorce, what a good guy he is etc.

What I’m wondering about is why he was unable to tame the monster inside telling him he needed to drink to feel better.
Of course, I don’t know if that’s really his internal question but I’ll risk it based on others I have known who literally drank themselves to death.
Some couldn’t leave the jungles of Vietnam.
One couldn’t cope with the loss of his wife and kids.
One never got the message that she was intrinsically okay.
Some will never shake the smells of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lots of messaging pushing one towards the door to oblivion!

No, I’m not justifying any behaviors.
I’m just wondering what went so wrong that this driver showed up for a previous DUI hearing only to be charged with being drunk at the hearing.
Why would anyone do that?
You’re saying, “Only an idiot would show up at his DUI hearing drunk.”
Perhaps not an idiot, but one so broken there were no other good options on his table of choices.

So, what do we do?
Crucify him!
Throw away the key!
More laws with stiffer penalties!
Better vehicle technologies that will recognize an inebriated driver?

Perhaps, we need to see this man as someone who needs what is the hardest thing for us to offer-love.
Not all forgiving love, but the love that tells us, when we are young, that we are valuable and worthy of love.
That this journey is enough by itself and we can, with help, take a sword to the demons that call for our self-destruction.

I hope he, and the injured families, find some kind of peace in this maelstrom of sorrow.

* Homestreet Bank –Wedgewood Neighborhood, Seattle, 98115, has a medical fund you can contribute to for the two in critical care. Acct #5322733430 Routing #325084426 

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

Sassi, You Deserve Better!

           Sassi Photo by M Barrett Miller

Say hello to Sassi.
She lives on the streets of Seattle. 
Well, in doorways, under the freeway, in the greenbelt. 

She's been on her own since age nine and has experienced about everything your mind can come up with-

Sassi has lots of challenges, though retains a sliver of humor about her abilities, and inabilities, with herself and others in society.

Dumpster diving to find treasures that can be can be turned into art brings her a few coins an hour from people passing by where she’s hanging out.
She doesn’t have a license to sell, or to solicit donations, so she hopes what she creates will please enough people to keep her going.

I told Sassi about my videos entitled “Am I the Face of Homelessness?’ I showed her a couple so she could see my approach.
Funny, she knew one of the ladies I recently interviewed.
Small homeless world!
She was fine with me shooting some video as I asked her a few questions.
I deleted the video I shot, as it was just too hard to watch.
Sassi asked me to come back and visit with her some more.
Maybe I will-

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

Jumping for Joy!!!

Dear Let Kids Be Kids,

               I am writing to inform you that you have been nominated for a Center for Service and Community Engagement “Spirit of Community” Award.

Congratulations!

In considering award recipients, we asked the Seattle University community to nominate a community partner who exemplifies the CSCE goal of creating strong reciprocal partnerships in order to foster social change and contributes positively to the development of reflective, creative, compassionate, and just student leaders.

                    On behalf of the Center for Service and Community Engagement, congratulations on your nomination and thank you for your partnership!

15 March 2013

Thank you. And thank you for sending this great letter just when we needed it!!

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids,Inc.

A Special Person...

Megan & Jay

Megan Anne and Jay, her son, aged fourteen, are only two of the more than 8,000 Special Olympics volunteers in Washington State.
Their generosity, and the volunteerism of others, helps support more than 7,000 athletes participating in various sports.

Megan began her involvement when she was a fifteen-year-old high school student in Everett, Washington.
She had recently returned to the states from attending school in Dublin, Ireland, where, among other things, she saw, though maybe not totally consciously, how many disabled people were totally integrated into society.
In Dublin she occasionally ran into film crews working on “My Left Foot’, the story of Christy Brown and his struggles to be accepted by his family and society in the forties and fifties.
She definitely heard the Pogues singing their tribute to Christy in their song “Down All the Days.” Later U2 added that song to their 20^th anniversary edition of “Actung Baby”.
St. Brendan’s School – Clinic, where Christy went to school, wasn’t that far away from where Megan lived in Sandymount.
The school she attended in Booterstown-Blackrock was academically robust.

When she returned to the states didn’t feel overly challenged academically, or socially, in her high school and looked to do something more important with her time. After looking at different opportunities she met Robert, a school counselor, who coached Special Olympic athletes.
It all came together-

Over the years Megan has continually volunteered to serve Special Olympic athletes, as she held down a full time position in a women’s clinic and raised her boy to be the stellar young man he is today.
For the last two years she’s been in a public school classroom assisting with the education and development of “Special Ed” kids coping with an assortment of challenges.
Watching her interact with these kids, and the adults on her Special Olympics team, illuminates all the lessons offered by the great Sages.

Last weekend her Special Olympic basketball team, the Black Knights, won the state championship. They were undefeated in the regionals, and in the double over time shoot out for the championship.
This is their first time basking in gold!
Well deserved!
The team members dedication, perseverance, and skills are a tribute to Robert, who is still coaching, and to Megan and Jay who have dedicated a lot of love and time to bring both to others in need.

Thank you Megan, Jay and Robert for being who you are-

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

"Am I a Monster?"

Photo by M Barrett Miller

Am I a Monster?

On a daily basis we are hearing, and reading, more about the suicide rate in the military.
In addition to those dismal statistics it has become mainstream news that many people returning from one, or multiple tours, from Iraq or Afghanistan, are coming home broken.
Many face challenges beyond their abilities to cope.
Many find family relationships frayed beyond repair.
Many cannot find employment.
More are showing up on the streets homeless and lost.
Many are wandering around inside their heads trying to avoid the message that they became a monster over there.

Paul, a Seattle resident, faced the fury of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese when they swooped down on the South Vietnamese, American and allied troops on 20 January 1968, forever know as the Tet Offensive.
Paul was part of the intensive fighting around Huế that lasted a month.
It concluded when the city was destroyed, as the Communists were executing thousands.
Paul spent another seven months slogging through the muck in pursuit of the VC.
After his tour, and a rotation back to Pendleton, he left the Marines in hopes of putting it all behind him.
He never did-
Paul spent the rest of his life getting high and incredibly drunk whenever he could. He couldn’t hold a regular job so he honed his skills working with stone. He was good at molding boulders to his will in the most amazing ways. His talent brought him work, as his addictions burned up the money.
His relationships were destroyed.
His kids avoided him.
Four trips to 21-day rehab clinics did nothing.
He couldn’t find any peace.
He couldn’t stop drinking.

As the years passed his military service became more irrelevant.
The monster that his inner voice created only quieted when he was out cold in an alcohol daze.
1968 might as well have been when the dinosaurs roamed.
Paul was irrelevant.
Paul was alone.
Paul was dying inside.
Iraq and Afghanistan got all the news. 
Paul had a very difficult time talking about his experiences beyond clipped words that slipped out half way down the bottle of Jack.
He knew I knew, so not a lot had to be said.
He experienced what I had not, but he knew I knew.
We hung out quite a bit.

Paul’s reactions, and integrations of his experiences, are not all that unique to many I know, or knew, who fought in Vietnam.
Many returned to live out “normal” lives.
Many did not.
Many still deal with the stink of the jungle and all it brought to their young souls.

Paul died of guilt.
Sure, his liver was shot from years of booze.
The docs also blamed Agent Orange, though that may have been to give him some last day coverage and lesson his deathbed shame.
His family had gathered around his hospital bed though he may have never known it, as he never opened his eyes those last few days.
Paul was a good guy broken by more than he could ever carry.

Today’s story, carried by the AP, is the truth, whether we want to accept it or not.

“… WASHINGTON (AP) 22 FEBRUARY 2013 –A veteran of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, former Marine Capt. Timothy Kudo thinks of himself as a killer – and he carries the guilt every day.
“I cant forgive myself,” he says. “And the people who can forgive me are dead.”

I’m sorry Paul that there was no cure for you and no relief from your guilt.
I miss you-
Semper Fi

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.
 

Aspen-Sharing Knowledge and Saving Lives

   Aspen visits the U. Photo by M Barrett Miller

On Friday 8 February, Barbara Velatequi, Health Teacher at Newport HS, Bellevue, Washington (on left in group photo) brought herAspen students to visit Stella Gran-O' Donnell, MPH, MSW, Ph.D.c, School of Social Work, University of Washington, graduate level class, in order to demonstrate peer education.

The UW students were dazzled by the variety of teaching tools the kids use to teach about Diversity, HIV/AIDS/STI's. They were further impressed by the poise, confidence, knowledge and commitment that these high school students are making to a program that is educating, and saving lives, in their greater community.

Erick Seelbach (center of photo) U.S. Dept of Health, stated that these high school students have the best program in the country.

I agree!!

See my previous articles written after my first, and second, visits with these students. 

 135 students applied for one of the 26 positions on the Aspen team for 2013-2014. After a long review process that number dropped to 105. After more review there were 52 students left in the competition. These remaining students would share their desire to be part of the team in a fifteen minute interview conducted by Ms. Velatequi. (Present team members also go through this process if they want to continue with Aspen from year to year.)
26 sterling students have recently been chosen to represent the school and Aspen. 

Of concern to this wonderful program is present consideration by the state to drop Health Education, as a requirement, in 2017. Hopefully there will be enough outcry in our communities to continue educating our children in ways that honor their need to be truly educated.

* My articles, referenced above, have generated responses from all over the world. Many who write me are health care workers in the third world trying their best to help so many who are sick, or at risk.
They share their wish for any education in their communities.
When they read about young people teaching other young people they are overwhelmingly envious.
Saddly, I inform many who write me that this Aspen program is not the norm and that peer education, or any education, on topics that touch on sexual matters, gender acceptance, needle exchanges, birth control etc. are not allowed in many districts, or in many religious schools, throughout the country.
Until we collectively grow up, and demand better for our kids, we will hear statements similar to the following when one realizes they are infected.
"It just wasn't going to be me!"   

M. Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. 

Trusting Kids - With Great Results

        Sophia & Tino  Photo by M Barrett Miller

Yesterday I accompanied Barbara Velatequi, teacher and founder of Aspen (Aids Student Peer Educators at Newport), at Newport High School in Bellevue, Washington, when she brought a number of students to another high school in her district to teach about HIV/AIDS/STI’s.

Recently I wrote about my visit to her classes, and her peer training sessions, at Newport High School. That article (article link) generated responses from all over the world.

 
Unfortunately, the majority of messages I received shared the absence of training, support, and education in communities facing dire health challenges. Many messages included the wish that schools in their country would create peer training as exemplified by Ms. Velatequi and her students.
I wrote back to many people telling them that though these kids are doing incredible work there are other schools, and school districts/administrators, here in the state of Washington that will not allow this training in their schools.
The rationale for not allowing young people to have access to information is complex, though fear and ignorance play a large role in these kinds of decisions that leave our young people at risk.

Sophia and Tino, seniors from Newport High School (12^th level, ages 17/18) addressed sophomores (10^th level, ages 15/16) at Interlake High School, in Bellevue, Washington for ninety minutes. Lindzee Alvarez’s health class was the host and co-organizer, with Barbara Velatequi, for this training.

Before starting the lesson the students were reminded, a number of times, that it was completely fine if they felt uncomfortable with the subject matter and wanted to leave the room.
None did.

Sophia and Tino introduced HIV to the group by having a number of students wear tee shirts with various health status designations on the front of the shirt. Sophia grouped the students according to those designations to show how the body fights infection. When she introduced the person wearing the HIV tee shirt to the group the students quickly realized how rapidly the body lost its defenses.
A simple, effective, persuasive demonstration that got all the kids attention!

Charts, slides, posters, hand outs supported the lesson as it moved from HIV/AIDS to other Sexually Transmitted Infections. A poster outlining the differences between viral, bacterial and parasitic infections helped the students understand which malady could be cured and which ones were lifetime challenges. 

As the following infections were discussed, along with slides showing the effect, students were told if they were a virus, bacterial or a parasite and whether or not they could be cured.

Human Papillomavirus, Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Scabies, Pubic Lice (crabs) along with the symptoms, medical procedures for detection, remedies and cures were fully discussed. Sophia and Tino were very matter of fact with each infection telling the students where they could be tested and how best to protect themselves from all infections. They both handled questions in a respectful way even when the questions elicited a bit of laughter from the crowd.

Laced throughout their presentation were reminders that abstinence is a valid choice that offers peace of mind, on many levels, to this age group.

When the review of STI’s was completed Sophia and Tino reviewed birth control, disease protection methods, vaccines (PMV) their effectiveness, the range of choices, where students could receive help, where they could seek confidential testing and how to make informed choices about what kind of condom to use.
After Sophia and Tino showed the kids how to properly use a condom they paired off the kids into twos handing one of the partners a condom. A couple of kids were a bit skittish about unwrapping and applying a condom to their partners outstretched fingers but most took part without a blink. They quickly realized why improper use of a condom has a significantly higher rate of failure than a properly used condom.

Towards the closing minutes Sophia and Tino summarized their lesson and thanked the sophomores for their attention and support of the “Peer Education” program at Newport High School.
They received rousing applause for their presentation!

Having watched six of these presentations I am convinced that training and trusting kids to peer educate is one very strong solution to this ongoing health challenge.

The very good news is that Aspen kids will be making a presentation next month to Graduate students pursuing a Masters of Social Work at the University of Washington.

I look forward to watching how these older students integrate the lesson.

M. Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

What! You don't have five minutes?

No phone calls here! 

A week before Christmas I gave a resident of an assisted living residence, located on Capitol Hill, in Seattle, a ride over to “Ya sure, Ballard” to buy some Scandinavian treats for anticipated family guests during Christmas.

As usual, after my always-early arrival at the home, I chewed up some time waiting and jawing with other residents until Anna was ready for our excursion.
After a bit she entered the parlor all decked out in her Norwegian reindeer sweater and matching toque, similar to the ones she might have worn as a child up north on the chilly Canadian/Minnesota border.

After our little shopping trip to Larsen’s Danish Bakery, and a small floral shop, she asked if I would take her to visit her daughter. I told her I had plenty of time and would be happy to take her for a visit. When she told me we were going to the huge cemetery in north Seattle we shared the balance of the journey in silence. When I entered the gates of the cemetery, that has been doing its business since 1884, she broke the silence to give me directions inside the sprawling landscape. She directed me to the large Lutheran mausoleum towards the eastern border of the grounds. I helped her out of the car and watched her walk to the door of the mausoleum. She stood at the door for a moment before returning to the car. When I asked her what was up she told me she had forgotten the combination. Though she now wanted to go home I convinced her that I could get the combination from someone in the administrative building located across a major four-lane racetrack that divides the memorial grounds.
After flashing two pieces of identification, one had to be photo ID; I was given the four-digit number. Off we went back to where we started from-
I cracked the door for her, helped her cut her flowers and position the flowers high up on the east wall above her daughters crypt.
Anna spent some time inside as I went out and waited in the car.

On the way back to the ‘retirement “ home Anna told me she has outlived her three children, her brother and sister and lots of other close relatives. I knew from previous conversations that her husband had died about twenty years ago when they were both spring seventy something year old chickens-
She told me about the scads of nieces and nephews, grand children, great grandchildren that were scattered all over the Northwest and parts further out.

I saw Anna again on Boxing Day.
She needed a lift to her doctor.
As is apparently our custom, I asked her about her Christmas. She told me she had not heard from one single relative.
Not one person took a few minutes to give her a call!
As I was sputtering some reaction she shared that a number of her “house mates” had mentioned they had not heard from any of their relatives either.
“I didn’t say anything. What would they all think I had done to deserve being ignored? I must be an old witch that no one would want to call.” She dryly sighed at me as we drove through the pouring rain to her doctor’s office.

Really, is everyone so darn busy there is no time left for those that need a moment of love, recognition, acknowledgement.
Well, your message has been received and it may not be the message you meant to send.
Think about it.
Is five minutes out of your life too much to give?

Oh, when I dropped Anna off she wanted to know if I wanted some of the cookies she had bought at Larsen’s.
I didn’t, but I took them anyway. 

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

An Old Time Christmas

The 1920’s, in northeastern Montana, were not for the weak and pampered!

 Anna, aged 96, fondly recalls following her father as he drove the horses pulling the plow that allowed she and her sister to plant in the irregular grooves left behind. Wheat, wheat and more wheat along with cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and two small vegetable gardens that sustained the family and contributed a few coins to moms purse on market days were all they had in those days.

Survival and hard work were what made so many of our generations grandmothers so remarkable.

So many of their stories are left untold as few questions are asked by their kids and their kids kids kids…

In winter Anna took part in the endless canning of meat for the summer months. During winter, the freezing weather took care of keeping the meat safe to eat. During summer they canned everything they would need for winter. Canning took up a great deal of their time, as they had to stay a step ahead of the seasons and the needs of the growing family.

School took place in a one-room school that rotated from one ranch to another. It was very basic with an emphasis on reading.

No electricity, a coal fueled kitchen stove, a potbellied wood burner to keep the ice off the inside walls, two outhouses fifty yards down wind from the house were the high tech luxuries that held families together.

Christmas was a very special time of year for everyone within thirty miles of Anna’s home. About nine miles away from the ranch was a Lutheran church that had ministered to the many Norwegians who had accompanied her mom’s immigration twenty-four years before Anna’s arrival.

On Christmas all the families would dress in their best outfits and travel to the church in horse drawn sleighs or in glued together working automobiles belching out scary noises along the roadway. Families arrived early in the morning for a special service, play and program that focused on the kids. The church was gaily decorated with a huge Christmas tree garnished with candles burning brightly. Two men kept a close eye on the tree as well as replacing candles as they burned down.

Each child received one present. Usually the present was functional but occasionally a doll would show up instead of new boots, gloves, sweaters or trousers. Sometimes a boy would receive a pocketknife that spoke of his maturity to the assembled crowd or proud adults.

Food was traditional with every family offering cookies, pies, ham, chicken, duck, homemade wines, and liquors for all to enjoy. Anna recalls one Christmas when a family arrived with a huge crate recently arrived from Norway. Everyone gathered around it as it was opened. It was full of small hand made gifts, jellies, and canned treats for the whole community.

The midday meal was followed by games, song and dancing until everyone was tired or famished or both tired and famished.

As the day darkened a final meal was served which an emphasis on desserts, candied fruit and hard candies hidden for weeks from the kids by anxious moms. 

Everyone snuggled under a ton of blankets as they rode home. The horses had bells attached to their harnesses to ring out Christmas to the darkened snow covered fields bordering the road.

“Those were the best Christmases ever!”

M Barrett Miller

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

"Being the change they wish to see..."

Four Members of the Colombia team

Do you want to feel proud of our young people?

If you do, I’ve got the perfect suggestion.

Take a moment to look at what a number of teens are doing here and in communities overseas.

The YMCA Global Teen Leadership program recently held their awards and recognition ceremony for Seattle area teens that travelled last summer to Colombia, Senegal and to Japan.

 
The kids are part of a twelve-month program designed to “develop international understanding, leadership skills and cultural competency.”
These young people are not passive visitors to a country, they provide service work in the community they visit. Some worked on refurbishing a schoolhouse, some in areas devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and some were working on a water project in Senegal.

The kids stayed with host families, travelled the countryside and interacted with kids their own age as much as possible.

At the recent ceremony it was inspiring to hear the kids talk about how their trip impacted them. They spoke emotionally about their host families, other kids they met in Colombia, Senegal and Japan, and how they helped raise the money to fund their team.
No one gets left behind if they are selected to participate on a team.
Its one for all and all for one!
Every student touched on how their involvement with the YMCA Global Leadership program has changed they way they look at their school work, their place in society and their ability to create change in the world.

Could we possibly ask for any more?

Thank you YMCA for the great work you’re doing with our young people.

* Present members of the Global Teen Leadership program are in the process of finalizing their commitments to participate in the “European Y Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, 1 August to 10 August 2013.
An anticipated 10,000 young people, from across the world, will travel to Prague to find commonality and community with other young people “being the change they want to see in the world.”
See www.yefestival.com for more information on the conference.

If you know a young person interested in Prague, Korea or Japanese Language for 2013...and for more countries in 2014 such as Senegal, and Colombia. See: http://www.seattleymca.org/Locations/Global/Pages/Home.aspx

Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. is committed to supporting this incredible opportunity for our kids-

Cappy's Boxing Gym - Building Confidence.

      At Cappy's Photo by M Barrett Miller

When I wandered into Cappy’s the other day I was slightly surprised to see a number of high school girls ripping thunderous hooks into heavy bags.
I shouldn’t have been surprised.
I knew better than to expect an all boys boxing club.

As I watched, neither the girls nor boys broke stride as they moved from the heavy bags to floor exercises. The floor exercise routine included jumping jacks, crunches; push ups and shadow boxing at their elevated feet while doing modified sit-ups.
A drill involving throwing five combinations at your partner, who fields the punches with a flat mitt, followed the exercise interlude.
This is how it goes for sixty minutes.
The kids rotate from station to station pounding away at bags, mitts, shadows, jumping, squatting, running in place, dancing, firing away punches and firing away punches.
I found I grew tired as I watched them, and I was sitting in a chair!!
They could have gone longer!

The next day I was back to watch a smaller group do what they had done the day before, but with a few added challenges to keep them on their toes.
Literally!
They rotated from pummeling a heavy bag to finesse punches setting up their “knock-out” shot.
Don’t kid yourself! A few of these kids could definitely bring stars to your eyes.
And, you know what?  They’re loving every moment of it.
Here, watch the video. It will give you a good sense of what’s going on at the gym.

Yesterday I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with Coach Mike Priebe. After a few comments about the routine and how the kids enjoy the challenges we got right down to it.
Confidence.
Mike, and the other coaches, help develop confidence in kids so they have that little extra internal “go to place” to support them when times get a little hectic.
Their minds and bodies get tuned to support their changing self-image.
Self-image is so important to kids developing through their teens.
A poor self-image leads too many kids down paths they probably wouldn’t take if they felt just a little better about themselves.
When kids have confidence in themselves they tend to lean back on the robes and take a longer view before throwing themselves into a decision.
Cappy’s is there to help-

Cappy’s Boxing Gym is doing some great work for a lot of kids in our communities.

Thanks Cappy!

M Barrett Miller
Let Kids Be Kids