“When I was young, I always wanted everything to go well and for everyone to be happy. If something bad was going on I would say, ‘Don’t forget to smile. Everything is going to be OK.’ “When I would run away from my biological mom’s … Continue readingHe continues to smile in the face of life’s challenges
“I started making YouTube videos about five years ago. The biggest reason was to help remind people that they’re never alone. No matter what they’re going through, they can count on me and others to always be there to support them. “I’ve gone through a … Continue readingYouTube videos are his form of therapy
“I’m 6-3. With the hair, I guess I look a little taller. Our family is pretty tall. My dad is like 6-2. My granddad is about 6-3. My other granddad is pretty tall as well. So I knew I’d be tall, but I didn’t think … Continue readingHe leaves shyness behind to make new friends
“I learned how to be a mother before I learned how to be a kid. I kind of raised my two younger sisters. I took care of them. I made sure they got to school all right and that their clothes were clean. I made … Continue readingAs a mother, her children could always rely on her
“I had this big house, and I liked being around kids. So I decided to have a daycare. “At first I kept one or two kids in my home, and then it grew to about 17 kids with just me. Oh, they had rules at … Continue readingDaycare grew out of her love for children
“I’m originally from New York. I came to Texas to visit my brother, who was just getting out of the Air Force. It was supposed to be a three-week visit, but he moved back home and I stayed. “I met my wife here. She served … Continue readingLove at first sight — over a barbecue sandwich
I met this young man on the Lee College campus, where we spent a few minutes discussing his passion: music. A member of his church and school choirs growing up, he plans to major in music education. “I always had a good music teacher show … Continue readingMusic is his favorite form of communication
“I did 29 years of shift work at ExxonMobil. I worked outside as an operator. I worked in the heat, in the rain, in the cold. I wore flame-retardant clothing, a hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes. “When I hired in, all the old-timers told … Continue readingShe wants to be ‘the poster child for retirement’
“My mother died from breast cancer when she was 53 and I was diagnosed when I was 50. I pretty much thought I knew everything about going through it because I was in high school when she was diagnosed and I was 25 when she … Continue readingCancer survivor continues to look at life as a gift
“I’ve had cancer and lost both my breasts. It wore down my husband, taking care of me while I was going through it all. He’s almost 80, so I figured it’s time for him to enjoy life. “He loves to go to sports events and … Continue readingFor her caring husband, ‘time to enjoy life’