Just about Jesse

On June 4th, 2011 a dirt track race was held in Crossville, TN to spread Breast Cancer Awareness. The amazing thing about this race is that it was created and organized by 19 year old Jesse Lowe. Jesse has been racing since he was 14 and this year he had the idea to race for breast cancer. On his own he proceeded to create a car to get attention for breast cancer as well as put known breast cancer victims and survivors names on his car. He has a passion for doing great things for the good of the many. A lot of what he has done has come out of his own pocket and he believes he can make a difference in this world. I believe he can too. The race wasn’t widely marketing due to his limited funds but he still managed to offer a $1000 prize for the winner and raise $1300 for breast cancer research. Wow. This is a big deal and a big task for a recent high school graduate.
There are so many things our teens are doing these days to try to make a difference in the world and it goes unrecognized by the many. They get a bad rap when all we see on TV are school shootings and videos on You tube on fights and conflicts. I say this teen awareness is going in the wrong direction. Do you want to influence a teenager and celebrate the amazing things they are doing? Let’s let the world see firsthand what’s really going on. These kids are our future and by publically showing the things that they are doing, there is no telling where the domino effect of change and inspiration will come in.

I have a passion for these kids and am very proud of their accomplishments. I know many others in the area have been prompted by the acts of one to get involved.

Let's talk about Dad

In honor of Father’s day, I have something to say about your dad. Father’s Day is a tough one since my dad has been living it up with the angels for over two years. I remember the last father’s day card I bought. I was standing in front of the card selection and pulled out this card and read it. I laughed so hard out loud; other people turned and looked at me. I wasn’t embarrassed but proceeded to share this card with anyone standing there. I brought the card home but I never sent it. I can’t remember if dad was on vacation or out of town and I decided to wait. Then a month went by so decided to save it for next year. I still have the card. I thought maybe I would give it to my father-in-law but its just not the same. I can’t seem to part with it. It is a symbol of one of many missed opportunities. My dad wasn’t famous, wouldn’t get father of the year, and was no Ward Cleaver or Cliff Huxtable but he was the best dad I ever had, the one God gave me and the one I would pick again if I had an instant rewind.
Sometimes you might think you have issues with your dad but you know what, so does everybody else and in the long run when the day is over, he’s the one God gave you. He is the one that will love you unconditionally no matter what you do or what you may believe. No matter the type of person you think he is, the day will come when you realize that he was the best possible dad he knew how to be with the tools that he had. If I had a megaphone to heaven, I would tell my dad that the only thing that mattered was that I knew he loved me and that love will sustain me for the rest of my days.
If your blessed enough to still have him here, maybe you should tell him that on Father’s Day so you won’t feel like you'll need that megaphone later.

The Bigger Picture

A little boy and his family lived in a cottage on the beach. One day the father came home and brought the boy a salt water fish tank. He also was able to get fish eggs so they could hatch in the tank. Days went by and the boy watched the tank intently everyday for his fish to hatch. He sat there and watched and waited, he would imagine what they would look like and how he would feed them and watch them swim. The day finally came when the fish started hatching. The boy was so excited that he stayed at the tank as much as he could so he could watch each and every one.
The boys father sat with the boy one day and gently said to him, “There are way too many fish for this tank”. Teary eyed the boy was not about to spare any of them. He had spent so much time talking to them, watching them swim and play. After the father insisted that the tank was getting way too small and it eventually would compromise all the fish, the father told the boy of his plan and the boy agreed.
The fish were used to seeing the boy everyday and would swim to the glass to see him when he came in the room. This day was different. The little boy came to the tank today with a net. He scooped up a fish and carried it away. The fish in the tank were devastated and crushed by the loss of their friend.
The boy left the room. He carried the fish in the net, walked to the pier and dropped the fish into the ocean. The fish in all its glory, happily swam away. Everyday was the same. The boy came in the room with the net and took one fish. Each time the boy came in, the fish would swim frantically hoping that today was not there day. They were very afraid. But everyday continued and the boy’s routine was the same. Get a fish, walk to the pier, drop the fish in the ocean, smile and return home.
The fish in the tank became so distraught; one finally said to the boy, “why are you doing this? I thought you loved us? This is horrible. What have we done to make you so mad?” The boy said I am doing this because I love you. The fish did not understand and the boy tried to explain but knowing that the fish are unaware of anything but the tank, he had to put it in a way that they might comprehend. My father told me of a place that you will swim free for ever, be happy and never have to worry about when you will be fed next. The only way to get there is through me. If you trust me and know that I love you, I will walk with you there and you will be happy.