Zine 16 – Speak Up Magazine

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Volume 2 | Issue 3 | $2.00

TRAVERSE CITY’S
VOICE OF THE
HOMELESS

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“Speak Up for those who cannot speak for
themselves, for the rights of
all who are destitute.”
Proverbs 31:8

Get InvolvedMore than a Magazine

Speak Up Magazine is a 501(c)3 non-profit Volunteers and interns are welcomed for
that gives voice to and offers an income creative areas, such as photography, editing,
opportunity for homeless and vulnerably- teaching, production and design, as well as
housed people. They become micro-business fundraising, social services and more. Please
owners who buy copies of Speak Up for a contact us to help out.
low price and resell them, keeping all the
cash and earning a profit. As a result, these
enterprising street vendors learn to manage
their resources, grow their businesses and Speak Up is Local
change their lives with dignity.
Speak Up is a member of the Unique editions of Speak Up are published
International Network of Street Papers, monthly in Traverse City, MI, and
which connects and supports over 100 Charlotte, NC.
such organizations worldwide. To explore bringing Speak Up to your
region, visit speakupmag.org/local.

This Zine Team Contact

EDITING AND WRITING CLINICS CHARLOTTE OFFICE
Sabrina BP, Peggi Knowe, Matt Shaw, 704-980-9885
Ben Shaw, Nate Casey, Robb Astor, Jena office@speakupmag.org
Aldridge, Harry Griffin, Melissa Sprenkle, 1551 S Mint St, Suite B
Bill Shaw, Mary Pierce, Mickey Grooters, Charlotte, NC 28203
Debbi Shaw, Leah Burnett
TRAVERSE CITY CHAPTER
VISUALS speakuptc.com
Layout, Matt Shaw billshaw@speakupmag.org
Photos, Peggi Knowe & Debbi Shaw

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VENDOR
PROGRAM

Frequently
Asked
Questions

What is a Speak Up vendor?

“Vendor” is the title for the hard-working individuals who distribute Speak Up. Most likely,
they are experiencing homelessness or are vulnerably housed. Your purchase of this magazine
is part of their journey out of poverty. You can learn more at speakupmag.org/vendors.
How does someone become a vendor?

1. Sign up for & come to an interview
3. Attend the training day
4. Sign the Code of Conduct
5. Get 20 free Zines and temporary badge
6. Reinvest and attend weekly meetings
Look for a valid Speak Up badge
What if I give money but don’t take the magazine?

Always take the magazine. This individual is working hard, please don’t make them take a
hand out. Feel free to tip, but always take the product. This gives dignity, not just money.

But I don’t have any cash!

A few smartphone-equipped vendors can accept a credit card payment. For now, the best
option is to plan ahead and bring cash.
How can I help?
Here’s one way: Be a friend to the person that sells the magazine. Sit down with them for coffee,
buy them lunch, get to know them. Keep it simple. Healthy and encouraging relationships are
crucial as people build new community and grow in opportunity and perspective.

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SPEAK UP SNAPSHOT

By Matt Shaw, Executive Director

For nearly three months at the weekly
vendor meetings in Charlotte we have been
reading through Og Mandino’s classic sales
book, “The Greatest Salesman in the World.”
Published in 1968, it sold millions of copies
and continues to win devotees today.
The book opens 2,000 years ago with
the story of a young apprentice who asks
the Greatest Salesman in the World to
share his secret to success. After proving
himself worthy, the young man is given
ten sacred scrolls that will lead him to be-
come “the greatest salesman in the world.”
The ten scrolls, which are titled as procla-
mations, are the ten chapters that make up
the bulk of the book.
The first scroll, “Today I Begin a New
Life,” focuses on the power of habits. “I
will form good habits and become their courage complacency, blame and excuses.
slave.” The reader is instructed to read the Instead, the focus was on steady growth,
first scroll twice daily for 30 days, inter- persistence and taking ownership—with
nalizing, believing it and owning it. The no excuses!
process is to be repeated with each subse- It has been a privilege to read and dis-
quent chapter. cuss the book weekly with the incredible
If that procedure is followed properly, group of people who sell Speak Up. Many
it would take over ten months to read the of them were outright homeless before
entire book. We didn’t do that at Speak Up. joining Speak Up. I have been consistent-
We tackled one scroll per week—which ly impressed by the aptitude and hunger
vendors discussed and personalized with they show for honest self-analysis and
a variety of goals. change.
The next scroll, “I Will Greet This As with most things involving Speak
Day with Love in my Heart,” encourages Up vendors, the lessons learned flow out
a love-centric response to all people and into the community. “I share these scrolls
circumstances, and makes it obvious that with my family,” said one vendor. “My ad-
the book is about much more than just diction support group reads these,” said
increasing sales. It is about living a life of another. And “My life needed this!”
purpose and intentionality—with results Like I said, a privilege.
that flow into the personal and profes-
sional realms. HEY! Check our website for some up-
The process was occasionally challeng- coming events that you don’t want to miss.
ing and pressing. The readings didn’t en- speakupmag.org/events

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[CONTENTS]

5 BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE Lynn Mendes
6 WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SPEAK UP? Ben Shaw
7 Q & A WITH STEPHEN THOMPSON Bill Shaw
8 BENEFITS OF HARDSHIPS Angel Williams
10 I HAVE SURVIVED Lori Denine
11 TERMINAL VELOCITY Dustin LaPres
12 EXCHANGING STORIES Sharon
14 THE ARTIST’S BANE Randy Parcher
16 THE TRUTH ABOUT PRISON Franklin Wright
17 SAWING LOGS Randy Parcher
18 LIFE ON THE ROAD Carl Hawkins
20 A SUMMER ADVENTURE Laurie Koelsch
21 SUM OF EXPERIENCES Tawanna Glass
22 LOSS OF CUSTODY Larry Robinson

The best moment of my entire life
was when I agreed to marry my ex-husband, John. Why? Because the
marriage produced my three beautiful, adult daughters.
One of my daughters was born on April 20, Adolph Hitler’s
birthday. Another daughter was born September 11, the day of the
attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001. The
third daughter was born in Freehold, New Jersey.
My daughters’ childhood years were normal. They participated in
activities such as band, ice skating, camping and high school/college
volleyball championships. They are all college graduates. One even
has her Ph.D. We are Catholic. All three daughters had, or will have,
fairy-tale weddings, exquisite affairs at the local country club or at
the beach. I expect them to remember their roots and upbringing.
—Lynn Mendes

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[VOLUNTEER VOICE]
WHAT IS SPEAK UP’S ROLE IN TC?

By Ben Shaw in Traverse City, MI

If you've read previous issues of Speak Up (we hope they'll keep writing), and we'll
Zine, you understand the purpose of a continue the process for those who need
street magazine: to give a voice to those help and are willing to battle. Since neither
experiencing homelessness, and to generate writing nor sales is easy for most people, it
income in the hopes of helping change their is a battle.
situations. Now and then we hear a commentary
Traverse City is a prosperous town, like this: “I'm not going to buy a magazine
destined to grow. We have the Film Fest, from someone just for him to go get
we have parking garages, we have urban drunk!” The same concern comes from
planning that benefits residents and brings potential donors. My first reaction (the
visitors back. There are also less glamorous one I'm not supposed to put in writing)
changes associated with a growing town, is, “There are worse ways to get beer
however, and we're grappling with the big money than working for it!” But overlook,
one: people living on the street. for the moment, that both the statement
A permanent shelter is a large part of and the answer are gross generalizations.
the puzzle. We need to make it happen, And gloss over the fact that Traverse
and we're moving in that direction. There City's economy thrives on alcohol sales
are basic services: laundry, showers, and holds festivals glorifying beer and
meals. Charity groups, mainly headed up wine. It is understandable that a donor
by churches, are working on that. Then doesn't want to support an addiction.
there is the challenge of helping people There is a network in Traverse City of
climb out of their situations. It takes professionals and volunteers, providing
money, it takes self-confidence, and it qualified help for addictions. It is part of
takes a helping hand. our responsibility to direct people toward
Speak Up Zine is one of the ways those services if they are willing to get
people can start the climb. I have seen help.
it in the writing workshops. I have seen Meanwhile, Speak Up Zine's mission
increased self esteem, improved writing is to help people one at a time, hear their
skills, and pride in getting published and stories, encourage them to write it all
making sales. If all goes well, we will lose down, and see their work published.
our best salespeople to the private sector

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[THIS MONTH’S FEATURED VENDOR]
TALKING WITH STEPHEN THOMPSON

Interview by Bill Shaw in Traverse City, MI

started selling in late February when
temperatures were dropping below zero.)

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF
YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?
Oh, its hard to say. Being without
communication. No cell phone, though
I could have saved money for one instead
of blowing it. I have low tolerance for
ignorance.

WHERE WILL YOU SLEEP
TONIGHT?
Safe Harbor. I am not sure where I will
stay when Safe Harbor closes. I don’t
have a clue.
STEPHEN, DID YOU GROW UP IN
TRAVERSE CITY? HOW HAS THE WINTER WEATHER
I was born and raised in Leelanau AFFECTED YOU?
County. I lived on French Road close to I’ve been sick. Bronchitis. Mostly lack of
the Holy Rosary Church. I attended Holy sleep.
Rosary for eight years. I was an altar
boy there when very few people spoke IS THERE A PLACE WHERE YOU
English. It was either Latin or Polish. LIKE TO EAT AND HANG OUT?
If I could, I would cook for myself. Right
TELL US ABOUT SOMEONE WHO now, it is Jubilee House, Central United
WAS AN INSPIRATION TO YOU. Methodist, or where we are staying at
My father, he was a well driller. He taught Safe Harbor. I used to hang out with
me how to wrench and do pipes. But my my Dad at Brady’s, but he died in the
best memories are of my grandpa. He 90’s. It was hard when my dad died, but
was a jokester. His name was Edward graceful too. When my Uncle Leonard
Vincent Fleis. There is a plaque with his was dying up at Munson, it seemed like
name on it on the Cedar River Bridge. he was there forever. My dad would
always shave Uncle Leonard’s beard. The
HOW ARE YOUR MAGAZINE day my dad died, “I asked him if there
SALES? was anything he wanted.” “Yes,” he said.
Pretty good. Some days are really slow, “Shave my beard.”
but that depends on my attitude. It has So I did.
been pretty cold out there. (Stephen

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[THE EDUCATION OF ANGEL WILLIAMS]
THE BENEFITS OF HARDSHIPS

By Angel Williams in Charlotte, NC

In this life, we all come from somewhere. were also suffering from mental poverty,
Personally, my former life was one of great and they could not advise me to do better
difficulty and hardships. It pains me to even because, just like me, their worst days
think about my past. Simultaneously, I must were equivalent to their best days. It was
use those former endeavors as tools that will the reality of poverty upon poverty.
motivate me to stay on the right path. My personality was non-existent. I
When I was a nomad, I was in a horrible found laughter to be one of the most
mental state. First and foremost, I could challenging activities to participate in.
not seem to get my thought life organized. Smiling was just as difficult. I possessed
My better thoughts consisted of lowliness. an aura that was extremely unpleasant,
These were thoughts of panhandling so I and I was losing myself more and more
could get money to purchase drugs and to a nomadic life. The reward of such a
alcohol. I thought it was sufficient to sleep life was incarceration. Paradoxically, the
under bridges, on sidewalks, or any other incarceration served as a great blessing
concrete surface. I had grown numb to the in disguise because it helped me regain
reality in which I participated. my mental clarity. With mental clarity, a
My best days in this place of mental person has the ability to envision countless
poverty consisted of warm nights in the forms of prosperity. If one can envision a
men’s shelter, located on South Tryon thing, they can also achieve it. And this
Street in Charlotte. Little did I know that fact brings me to my present stage in life.
these so-called “best days” were actually When I was incarcerated, I began to
my worst days, but my mental poverty search myself. I found a lot of positive
had me believing that I was all right in attributes, but they were being choked out
such a stage. The people that I hung with and annihilated by the negative attributes

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I had accumulated during my street life. a regular facial gesture for me, and my
I realized that I had to cleanse myself aura is more inviting. Needless to say, I am
mentally and spiritually. I did…and that rediscovering myself as each day passes.
process led me to become settled in my The reward of this way of life is more
life. promising than the reward of a nomadic
Now I completely understand the life. Still, I rest thankfully for all of my
significance of an organized thought life. former hardships because those perilous
Today my better thoughts consist of the times have given me great insights and
harvest of my actions which lead me to more wisdom. I also understand that
pursue life cautiously. I no longer think those perilous times have equipped me to
it sufficient to sleep under bridges, on help someone else who may be stuck in my
sidewalks, or any other concrete surface. I former lifestyle. I truly believe that those
am no longer numb to the reality in which experiences will serve as a foundation that
I formerly participated. I will need in order to be an effective force
My best days are no longer in that in other hopeless people’s lives.
place of mental poverty in which I used In the end of it all, I can see the benefit
to dwell. Today I associate with people of my hardships. Someone needs me to
who are mentally and spiritually rich, help them regain their hope as well as
and they serve as my instructors as well their confidence. At the end of the day, we
as my beacons of hope. My personality is all know that I qualify to perform such a
presently more pleasant, but I still have task due to my former life.
room for growth in this area. Laughter
is no longer a challenge; it is becoming
second nature to me. Smiling has become

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[TRUTH]
I HAVE SURVIVED

By Lori Denine in Traverse City, MI

My skin survived the cold with wool: hat, gloves, blankets, sweater, wool in my boots,
socks of wool.

My mind survived by tapping; steady tapping with my two hands.
Left, right, left, right, left, right, three minutes to balance my brain.
Left, right, left, right, left, right.

My self survived harsh words. Barely.
I ran. I walked. I disappeared from the site and the sight where the body with face with
the mouth spoke those harsh words stood.
I have survived.

My entire being, my existence, survived a life-threatening situation.
I remained calm, staged my departure, kept my composure, held a poker face, spoke
good-bye and "Thanks for dinner" gracefully, got in my car and made it to the end of the
driveway all the while under a watchful eye. I turned the corner and drove.

My mind, my body, my soul refused, and still refuse, to be victims. Yet through all
survival, I endure. I accept the fact that it will someday come to an end; hopefully, my
survival energy will be able to rest in peace.

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[BIOGRAPHY]
TERMINAL VELOCITY

By Dustin LaPres in Traverse City, MI

We lived, our lives played out like
Comic books…heroes and heroines.
We moved at speeds that some would
Say were terminal…a velocity
That was our philosophy.

We loved and breathed like we were
Acrobats–all our imperfections caught.
We floated on the waves of existential thought,
Like aeronauts…we had atmospheric buoyancy,
Must've been our simplicity…

We learned the rules of life like
Barristers…well studied and duplicitous.
We went through lovers like we were
Cosmonauts…we overcame gravity,
And shared ourselves with brevity…

We grew old and tearful eyed like
Willow trees…aging painfully.
We raced across the universe like we
Were shooting stardust warriors,
Finally crashing like the ocean surf…

We awoke one day, began recovering
The satellites of our humanity.
We admitted faults like we were
Penitential existents who had finally
Come to meet the divinity…

We came to love like we were vessels
Of Purity….we loved unconditionally…

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[FACING FORWARD]
EXCHANGING STORIES

By Sharon in Traverse City, MI

Tuesday nights. 2nd floor. Scholar's Hall.
In the center of the classroom, five tables
are clustered into one large table where
writers gather. The chairs around this
table are quickly claimed as well as the
remaining seats along the wall. This writing
circle meets to exchange experiences of
homelessness. It's comprised of writing of homelessness in the form of the human
facilitators, the homeless, the vulnerably spirit. When any of us are down and out,
housed and advocates for the homeless. community makes the essential difference
It looks like any other class on a Tuesday between viewing transitional times as an
night–but something happens there that opportunity or as a pool of quicksand.
goes a tad beyond the ordinary. As stories Having been born in Flint, Michigan, an
are exchanged, those present become economically desperate place, I have seen
disembodied and reconstituted in each what the quicksand looks like in a large
other’s shoes. This occurrence is usually city. Traverse City is growing, but we have
triggered by the excavation of previously- an opportunity to continue building our
unearthed, common ground. community support system as economic
As each Tuesday night clicks by, it stresses come to bear.
becomes more evident that many so- I moved to Interlochen, MI in the
called “barriers” have been imagined all 1980s. In the 1990s, I lost a home and
along: walls stacked on a foundation of spent a month at the Goodwill Inn in
misunderstanding and fear, and fortified Traverse City. I felt safe there. They
by outdated attitudes that brush common provided me with a phone, address and
circumstances under the rug. This is office supplies so that I could prepare a
a problem as more of our population resume, have shelter and a shower so I
becomes at risk of homelessness due to could go to job interviews. I put together
the rising costs of living (among other two part-time jobs, and I found a room
factors) that affect all of us. Where an to rent and a used car in five weeks. The
economy or outmoded institution falls physical homelessness was no longer a
short, its community reveals itself as the pressing issue for me. But even in the
necessity it is–the essential difference Traverse City region today, a reliable used
between a society that criminalizes the car, jobs with a living wage and affordable
homeless and a society that recognizes housing are not as available as they once
itself as fragile. were. So, transitional time today is a more
No citizen is immune from material challenging stint.
or physical homelessness–a house fire, a
catastrophic illness, a loss of employment, How does one keep a constructive
depression, addiction, the list goes on. attitude and move forward when facing
The fear which that list arouses is of that challenge? This question brings us
no use beyond recognizing our human back to the Tuesday night writing circle.
condition. The fear should not be called Somehow, the writing process heals that
to action, but perhaps the warning should division between material homelessness
be both considered and acted upon. How and the homelessness of the human spirit.
will our community function tomorrow– It strips away the fallacy of dependence
or ten years from now? and reveals our interdependence, a path
Beyond the physical loss, we have issues that does not move up or down as much

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as it moves forward, feeding both body
and soul.
Cold cuts, cheese, crackers, veggies,
generic-brand sandwich cookies are
laid out on a table in the corner of the
classroom and well received. Each person
has made a table tent of a folded piece of
goldenrod paper with their name on it in
bold, permanent ink. The names pop off
the bright paper amid a sea of ruled paper,
pens and stray cups. But after the writing
prompt is given and the free-writing beautifully as the heaviest burdens are laid
time is over, all activity stops. It's time on the table–angst often held for years.
to share. No snacking. No conversation. And regardless of choked tears or natural
Eager ears perk and minds align in candor (or the lack thereof), that's when it
concentration. Any speech-bearing happens–the trading of places.
politician would sell their soul for an The presenters of prompts have
audience so attuned as the writing circle childhood flashbacks, the youngest
is in this moment. It is the first time a new of participants speak with untapped
participant is going to read. wisdom, those without shelter offer the
That is the most delicate moment most comfort, and the advocates…well,
and the highlight of the evening. What the advocates become humbled in the fact
a privilege it is to be trusted by someone that they have come to help, to witness, to
in their most vulnerable state of being, to be strong for the homeless–who have just
receive truth as it pours out even more shaken them to the core.

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[ART]
THE ARTIST’S BANE

By Randy Parcher in Traverse City, MI

Many people ask me many different there is broken glass and where to store
questions about being a homeless artist my work when I’m done with its creation.
working my trade on the street. What kind Next to the cold and water, broken glass is
of things do I have to contend with that the worst.
other artists, who have a place to stay, don’t People ask me where I create my art
have to worry about? Here I will try to find handiwork. How can I find places to work
the words to answer some of the questions. at my achievements? I labor wherever I can
I have to fight with the cold. If it is too find room to toil upon my visions. I work
cold, my markers will chill. I keep them a lot at the library using a table somewhere
as close to my heart and body as possible in the back or on a computer (as some of
so that they will not freeze. My body heat my art is done in digital form), at Brew or
keeps them warm. In cooler weather, water in winter at night in Safe Harbor. The time
from the air we breathe condensates upon in Safe Harbor is when I get a lot of my
everything inside the van and sometimes hand-drawn artwork done. In the warmer
destroys my work. So, we see that the cold months, there are other things to do like
and water are my worst nightmares. Then sell Speak Up zine.

“FORGOTTEN” by Randy Parcher

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“BOTHERS” by Randy Parcher

“WHAT YOU DO UNTO THESE” by Randy Parcher

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[FIRSTHAND]
THE TRUTH ABOUT PRISON

By Franklin Wright in Charlotte, NC

Let me tell you the truth about prison. inmates then feel that they have to pay
Prison is not a place where anyone wants to them money—$100, $200, sometimes
go. The officers treat you like caged animals. $1,000. I know this. This is the truth, and
You get your good ones and bad ones. The God knows that this is the truth. Now the
prison food is no good. The nurses are no world knows the truth.
good. They do not care about the inmates. I’ve been raped in prison, and the
They will let you die. I knew someone who officers did nothing about it. I tried to kill
was very sick, and he died on his bed. It took myself ten times. I went to the hospital
two hours for the nurses to get to his cell three times and stayed seven days all three
after he died. times. The sergeant, captain, lieutenant
Now let me tell you about the bad and doctor do not care about the inmates.
officers. They bring drugs to the inmates, They do not want to give medicine to
and female officers have sex with male inmates. They will take money from an
inmates. Then they say that they were inmate ($20) for a sick call. The FBI needs
raped so they will not lose their jobs. to know the truth about state prisons.
The truth is that the inmates did not rape Trust me, I know.
the nurses or the female officers. The

“PUSH” by Franklin Wright

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[ZZZ’S]
SAWING LOGS

By Randy Parcher in Traverse City, MI

They say that the homeless are lazy, but the six in the morning and goes until eleven
truth is that we are just tired – mentally, at night. There we have a different set
physically, and emotionally. Tired from of sleeping difficulties. For those who
standing in lines playing the waiting game. have ever slept with or in the same room
Tired from moving around all day and as someone who snores, wheezes, or
sometimes having to move halfway through breathes heavily, you will know what I
the night. mean. The first day at Safe Harbor, we had
Some, like us, are lucky to have a van or twenty to thirty men in one room sleeping
car to sleep in, but still we have to put up with a few playing a round robin of “saw
with the lights in the parking lot shining the logs.” One would start, then another
all night long and the sounds of cars as one, and finally the last one would join in
they pass where we park. It must be gotten creating an agonizing buzz all night; and
used to, but it makes sleep difficult. My day as I was not used to the sounds, it made it
starts at 7:45 in the morning and doesn’t hard to get any sleep.
end until after eleven, or sometimes later The homeless aren’t lazy—we are just
at night, during the spring and summer. tired mentally, physically, emotionally. We
During the fall and winter when Safe need a good full night’s sleep and some
Harbor is running, my day starts at about sweet dreams.

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[HISTORY]
LIFE ON THE ROAD

By Carl Hawkins in Traverse City, MI

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Life on the road. It's always a challenge living gutted, stuck on a stick, and roasted over
on the road. It was a little different in the 60s the fire. I was then shown where I could
and 70s, but not really so much. sleep.
I remember one trip when I was 16. I In the morning, I was given a ride back
had gone to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to to the two-lane black top road heading
look up a friend who I knew from the past out across the Glades to Naples. It was
summer when I was traveling with the 72 miles across, and I had 62 miles to go.
carnival. He was not there, but I met his About 24 hours later, I arrived at Naples.
parents. When I told them I was a friend I had walked the whole day and through
of their son, they welcomed me in and the night. I only saw about seven or eight
treated me like their own. They let me cars the entire way. I passed maybe three
shower, they fed me, and gave me a bed buildings with an outside light on, and
for the night. the rest was the dark of night. The sounds
This might not seem like much to you, of the swamp at night were something
but this was in the Deep South in 1967, straight out of a horror story, and I was
and I had been learning about racism hoping I didn't end up in one. Even
first hand. I hadn't seen a white face in though I couldn't see where I was going, I
two days, and I was beyond scared. My knew I didn't dare stop.
friend was black and this strange white This was just one weekend in the life of
boy showed up at 10 p.m. on his parents’ a teenager living on the road in the USA.
doorstep. Needless to say, they were quite
surprised. It was only by the grace of God
that I was still alive. When they saw me
standing there, I think they knew that was
true. The next day, they took me to the
freeway on the edge of town and dropped
me off.
Those were the days when everybody
hitchhiked to move around the country.
I would seldom stand more than 15-
20 minutes before I'd get a ride. One
day, I walked until early afternoon, then
decided to head across the Everglades
to the western side of the state. I had to
get away from where I was. Later in the
afternoon, I got a ride with a Native
American couple. They took me about 10
miles and then offered me a place to stay
the night. I accepted.
We headed off a few miles down a dirt
road to their home. It was an old wooden
shack with rooms full of bunk beds. It
looked like several families lived in this
one house. We went out back by a big
bonfire where we dropped a hook and
line in a ditch on the edge of a swamp. We
caught a whole mess of small fish that we

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[RELATIONSHIPS]
A SUMMER ADVENTURE

By Laurie Koelsch in Traverse City, MI

pink and had Strawberry Shortcake on it.
It was a big blanket. This blanket made its
rounds from covering them in the back
seat to covering me in the front, passed
back and forth. I felt like we were doing a
round robin with it. When we were out of
Tennessee, we found a truck stop for some
desperately-needed sleep and restrooms.
On day two of our trip, we were riding
along, and the kids became over-anxious.
I got them to concentrate on playing a
game finding the letters of the alphabet
in the road signs, trying to keep ahead of
their lack of interest in the game. I then
got them to tell a story on a certain topic,
like a horse on a farm. This horse was
pulling a wagon down a dirt trail with
colored leaves in the fall. The farmer had
just collected a day’s worth of fruit and
vegetables from the fields and orchards.
The children were anxiously waiting for
the farmer to unharness the horse so that
the children could feed it, brush it and put
fresh straw for bedding in his stall. This
horse was a beautiful brown color like a
It was a very hot, humid day in August. chocolate candy bar, and that is how it got
While my children were outside playing, I its name, Cocoa.
came up with the idea of a family road trip When we finally got to Florida, the kids
– a surprise for the kids, an adventure of a were so excited they couldn’t wait to start
lifetime, a trip to Disney World in Florida. taking in all the sights. I told them that
My next to oldest daughter told me as we after a good night’s rest, we would start
got into the car that she was my co-pilot and early in the morning. We went to Busch
would talk with me to keep me company as Gardens to see the wonderful Clydesdales,
I pulled out into the highway traffic. That got caught in a thunderstorm, and found
is when I started to ask her how she was out it isn’t safe to walk outside in them.
enjoying the trip. She was sound asleep. Then we went to Mickey’s birthday party
She was sitting there with a smile, her hair and to Sea World to see the Orca whales,
blonde like the sun. I listened to the radio Beluga whales, and go charter fishing. The
with the air conditioning running full blast. kids got to swim in the Gulf of Mexico.
I then decided to find a gas station to refuel This was the greatest time of my life –
and use the restroom since they were far and spending the greatest summer and seeing
few between. my children enjoy a vacation they have
I then took my seat in the passenger never forgotten. These are the best family
side and my daughter moved to the memories a person who is experiencing
back. I fell asleep in the front seat, and homelessness now can remember.
the kids were covered with a blanket that There are always good times to
belonged to my oldest daughter. It was remember.

Page 21

[LIFE]
PEOPLE ARE THE
SUM OF THEIR EXPERIENCES

By Tawanna Glass in Charlotte, NC

The other day, I was having a deep, good spirits. I am also helpful. The only
uncensored conversation with a few other reason that I could give her is that the
people. We were sharing our life experiences, Lord is by my side.
and my sister-in-law looked at me and said, I believe with God by my side, every-
“They say that people are the sum of their thing is a blessing.
experiences. I would like to sit with you and I always have a positive attitude and
hear your story—all of the details.” help people when I have the opportunity.
She said that I seem to have myself all Being able to share my life with other
figured out even though, to me, my life is people wouldn’t be possible without God
in shambles. I don’t show it. I always have by my side.
a smile on my face, am cheerful and in Blessed.

Page 22

[FAMILY MATTERS]
LOSS OF CUSTODY

By Larry Robinson in Traverse City, MI

One day, I found
myself living as
a single person Joshua and I had worn out two strollers
traveling here and there while enjoying
each day. I potty trained him, taught him
his colors, numbers, letters and helped him instead of a begin to read. He spent miles upon my
shoulder sharing a strong father-and-son
bond.
His mother had not been all that single parent. interested in raising him, and I did not
care to share her with other men. I had
been her first husband, and she was on her
third marriage when she filed for custody. I lost the custody I lost the father-and-son bond that day
and desired to no longer have a home. It
has taken over 30 years to regain that
desire for a home again, and I can see it in of my son, Joshua. the near future.

Page 23

[GIVING] [OPPORTUNITY]

Page 24

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—said by a once-homeless former magazine vendor
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