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"True
bigotry is when you can't see the facts
because your own beliefs are blocking the way."
~
Lawrence D. Elliott ~ |
"It's better to be
prepared for an opportunity and not
have one than to have an opportunity and not be
prepared."
Whitney L. Young, Jr.
That quote could have
been written about my life.
I wrote my first creative
words in the sixth grade when a teacher gave me a
writing assignment. I even create a
rudimentary “book,” filled with “illustrations.”
Actually, they were the most pathetic looking stick
figures you’d ever see. But I was proud of my little
"book."
Heading into the seventh
grade, I was among the earliest group of kids bused from
our San Diego inner city neighborhood to a predominantly white
school. The racial tensions were high. Often, there were
fights before, after, and even during class. To make
matters worse, I was identified as having a severe
reading problem and was
placed in a reading development class. I remember
fighting back the tears of shame as I entered the
separated bungalow classroom that first day. Then, I met
Ms. Davila, the remedial reading teacher. She not only
worked with improving my reading, but she learned I had
a hidden gift. I loved to write. She helped me cultivate
my new-found skill and gently guided me to
discover how powerful it could be.
And in those tumultuous
times, the fact that she was white had a lasting effect
on my life. In her, was the example that there are good
people everywhere, you just have to find them.
Throughout high school
and beyond, I spent evenings scribbling my stories and
attempting to get them published. The rejection notices
mounted. I was stubborn, but eventually I was forced to
realize that perhaps my talents were going to be of use
in other ways.
Through adulthood, my
path lead me
through military service, the aerospace industry, even
cleaning toilets when it was the best job I could get.
Eventually, I landed in real estate where I had a
20-year career. But I continued to write, if only for my
own enjoyment. I was also able to collect a host of
"characters" along the way. Then, in 2005 I had a near-death
experience with a pulmonary embolism. It was then that I
decided to brush off
that dream I had as a kid. I decided to give it one more
try.
In 2006, I had my first
story accepted. In fact, I had four! Fittingly, one of
those earliest stories was about a teacher who, working
with a black kid from the inner city who had difficulty
reading, showed him he had a hidden talent. Since then,
my stories have appears in many popular books and
periodicals.
My life has been a wild
ride, replete with twists and turns. There were good
times, and bad times. Sometimes, very bad times. But I
wouldn't trade it for all the gold in the world. And I'm excited,
proud, grateful, and somewhat surprised that something
seemingly unattainable has become a reality. I feel my
life has prepared me for this moment and I'm not going
to squander it.
| In
addition to writing, I'm also the sole caretaker for my
wife Lisa. Our dog Lacie helps, too. |
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